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ION’s wetsuit range sees some major refreshment for 2025, and the Seek Amp is high up in the top echelons of the ION range aiming for maximum stretch and warmth.
The main design change is the implementation of one of the most comprehensive and cunning neck closures we’ve seen on a suit recently – two crossing layers of neoprene run at 45 degrees to the neckline and are attached to the rear overhead flap. This makes this aperture very tight and flush proof when installed. They’ve opted for their maximum stretch neoprene in this area to make sure getting in and out is as easy as possible. The neck also benefits from a slick skin on the inner material for a decent seal here. The chest flap has another band of slick skin down the closure side which meshes with bands of screen-printed rubber dots to keep this in place as well as an internalized drawstring. Cross chest zipping is handled by a legendary YKK, and a sensibly placed plastic stopper keeps things secure. If water does manage to get under the chest flap there’s some drain holes here to expel it out in a timely fashion. A key pocket is also nestled in here to minimize chances of your whip getting stolen.
Size wise, either we’ve eaten too much jamón over summer break this year, or we found the suit comes up a smidgen smaller per size than the previous ION range. Much to our relief, we discovered ION recommend that if you’re close to the size limit on the chart, maybe go for the size up, or even better go for a full try on in a shop.
Internally, considering the suit is a 4/3mm you’re treated to an impressive range of fleece and linings on display. Over the back and rear thigh panel, some exceptionally comfy corduroy fleece is employed to really keep the wind off your back – ION have coined this the Plasma Plush 2.0. The remainder of the suit is from Eco Stretch Hot Stuff 2.0 material, which has a slightly more grippy-to-the-skin property that keeps the suit in place on impact; there’s no ruffling of the arms after a big crash. All of it seems to dry relatively fast, even in a relatively humid environment the fleece seems to wick well.
Seaming is glued and blind stitched, with no liquid seams which will extend the life of the suit greatly. The red internal seam tape is wider than most brands and comprehensively placed on all the panel joins, this will give the suit some decent longevity. Extra panels are hidden in the elbows to aid articulation. The knees have a robust external finish which gives them plenty of grip, important for clambering onto your wing board. In the ankles the nod at wind sports is there in the form of drain holes and optional/removable Velcro bands to prevent any potential elephant leg.
As a 4/3 autumn suit goes, the Seek AMP is definitely on the warmer side, and its stretch properties make it unobtrusive to wear, aesthetically it’s subtle and stealthy. Heat wise we’d easily slide into this all the way to Christmas here in the UK comfortably, and the flexibility through the shoulders makes it great for crossing over between any water sport you could imagine, including prone. For the budding multisport athlete, look no further.
