Rip Curl H-Bomb, turn on the heat

Rip Curl released its new wetsuit called H-Bomb. H-Bomb is the first heated wetsuit on the market. I guess it was just a matter of time after all the gadget integration we have seen in the last years. So what's the deal, you turn up the heat, set the mode to well done and leave a note: "Gone to Iceland....surfing!" ? Not so fast, Rip Curl will launch the H-Bomb wetsuit in the northern hemisphere next year and in Australian market in 2008.

H-Bomb = Rip Curl + Jett Performance Products

Michael Ray, who is Rip Curl global wetsuit manager said several patents had been taken out for heated wetsuits so far, but guess all of them were to expensive or to complicated to make. "It's like a car that runs on solar power — it's not a novel concept — but the execution of it is the trick," he said.

Rip Curl joined forces with another company that works in the field of heating technology and makes battery powered heating panels. Its founder Rob Vassallo initially created a heated vest in 2003. The objective was to make the jockeys wearing it to sweat profusely and loose weight. Then the bikers found him and out came a heated jacket and vests with two infra red heating panels in the back. No more cold kidneys and no plugging you jacket into the motorcycle. Then came the football players etc... OK, and then came Rip Curl. There is still a lot of testing tt be made before the H-Bomb wetsuit appears on the market. "When it goes out we want to make sure that there's no issues or faults," he said. "Surfers put their wetsuits through a hell of a lot of abuse."

H-Bomb: How the battery heated wetsuit works?

H-Bomb wetsuit keeps you warm by positioning a source of heat on your upper back. This heats your core allowed warm blood to circulate to your extremities. The heat is generated by two coated fibre elements. The elements conduct electricity that generate heat. The elements are made of fibre ­ so there is no metal involved ­ which means there is no electromagnetic field generated and no metal to corrode when it is exposed to water.

The H-Bomb has two temperature settings:

• Low: 50 - ­55C (120 - ­130F)
  
• High: 60 - ­65C (140 - ­150F).
  

A thin layer of neoprene lies between the elements and your back to spread the heat evenly and protect your skin. It’s an infra red heat with a therapeutic quality usually used to relieve muscle soreness and tension. The first test pilot was 2005 World Championship Tour number 7 Nathan Hedge, who commented “It’s one out of the box, it feels sooo good! You keep really warm, even on the low setting and it just keeps you feeling warm all over throughout. I didn't want to give it back after the R&D session”.

For a really demanding test, Rip Curl drove all the way to the Arctic circle to do some surfing between the icebergs.  One of the test pilots - Adam Wickwire had thisto say about the new H-Bomb: "The H-bomb even helps combat the flush. When you get flushed it actually helps because the water circulates around the wetsuit and helps distribute the heat."

H-Bomb Batteries

The H-Bomb is powered by two Polymer Lithium Ion 7.2v batteries. These are the same type of batteries found in your mobile phone or iPod. There is no danger of radiation, electric shock or explosion from these batteries by ­even if it is called the Bomb! The batteries weigh 0.12kg each and are positioned on your lower back where they are cushioned against your body by a layer of neoprene so you can’t feel them. By the time the wetsuit launches they will be even smaller. Batteries have enough juice to keep you warm for two hours on the high setting and can even be recharged by your car's cigarette lighter.

H-Bomb heating bill

Mr Ray said he believed heated wetsuits would eventually become a standard item for surfers. The wetsuits will likely retail at between $1000 and $1200 when they arrive on the market. Not exactly a standard price but H-Bomb is not exactly a standard wetsuit.

Source: Rip Curl releases H-Bomb by Rip Curl

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jake said:

Huh? Great! Less crowds in the water as people will be busy filling juice up their wetsuits to bad crowds are in the summer. Maybe a cooling C-Bomb 5/3 wetsuit for the summer...with beer pocket so you always have a cold one. Wouldn't mind having one though

November 25, 2006

w said:

1200$? 1200$ :- thats more than 3 times over the next model

November 27, 2006

bags said:

... Wow, that would mean like surfing in 3/2 wetsuit in the winter, it looks realy flexible to

December 19, 2006

test said:

H-Bomb wetsut Wow, I would realy like to test it! Betteries are the main issue here I guess, if they last (and dont explode ) this wetsuit will kick ass!

December 29, 2006 | url

Jizzface said:

Great More kooks in the water. Awesome. :-

December 29, 2006

bags said:

H-bomb nerds More computer nerds I would say

December 29, 2006 | url

Jacob said:

... I think Rip Curl needs to get a grip on the quality of construction in their current suits before they release something so pricey. the welded seems on the inside of my F Bomb cracked after just a few sessions. Not acceptable.

February 01, 2007

ecoaster said:

... One of the Rip Curls top dogs said that top of the line wetsuits aren't made to last more than one season :- Cheaper wetties are tougher and more durable. I have no complaints about Rip Curl so far, they replaced any wetsuit we sent them without a question.

February 09, 2007

admin said:

H-Bomb wetsuit - battery life A little update. Batteries will last for about 2 hours on high setting and you will be able to recharge with your car's cigarette lighter.

February 09, 2007

BON said:

wetsuits i think you need to tell ppl more bout the history and the making of them!!

May 06, 2007

BON said:

... and yes i am talkin bout the wetsiut i need to know history and making of them so please tell me i am a 16 yo girl a want to know more please

May 06, 2007

bags said:

... don't do drugs.. more?

May 07, 2007

... said:

... im sure if you wash your suit with fresh water when your done it will last you... you guys just dont care

August 04, 2007

charlie Banks said:

h-bomb what happens if u are in the water and the batteries run out can it still be used as a normal wetsuit

October 09, 2008

Batman said:

Yeah H-Bomb...exploding my bank account. Instead of splitin atoms, split up that cost somewhere else.

October 24, 2008

Chris said:

H BOMB mine broke : ( my H bomb broke after 2 sessions not a good wetsuit at all dont get it. I was stupid to get it but it was half price since my dads friend works for ripcurl : )

November 05, 2008

bags said:

... @Chris: what do you mean broke? Like the heating stopped working? Of did the wetsuit itself fall apart ... I suppose Rip Curl should have some kind of warranty on the heating system and the batteries.

November 10, 2008

bags said:

... @Charlie: you can use it as a normal wetsuit, it's just that if it's so cold that you need the batteries to keep you warm, once they run out you will only be left in a 3/2 wetsuit in some really cold water.

November 10, 2008

nick said:

h bombs suck :i know someone that bought one and it broke the first day.. the batteries just stopped working and wouldnt charge and the wetsuit itslef was gay as shit.. my brother has a rip curl 4/3 and it doesnt keep him warm

November 13, 2008

.. said:

h bomb isnt on sale It will hit the shelves around January. There are only about 200 in existence in the entire world. Whoever says that their H-Bomb or their friends' H-Bomb broke is full of sh*t

November 20, 2008

Jackass said:

Doesnt hit till January?? You apparently live in the forgotten land of the gulf or east coast-The Hbomb has been out for about a month.Jackass.If someone paddled out with a 1200 dollar H Bomb in Oxnard theyd get theyre tires slashed.Fkn kooks.

November 26, 2008

Tom Bennett said:

H-Bomb Faulty Heating Element We've tried 2 vests to date; both had faulty heating elements that overheated, rendering the panel useless. One overheated and died after 3 weeks of careful use, and the other actually burned a hole through the fabric. Junk, junk, junk. Very disappointing and a royal waste of money.

January 28, 2009

Brad said:

Skip the electrics...go reusable chem packs Did you know you could turn your existing well fitting well made happy wetsuit into a heated " H-bomb " type for a mere $60.65 shipped anywhere in the continental USA. I couldnt afford the Hbomb but wanted it...but didnt really want to wear the stigma of even owning such a flamboyant show of personal wealth...so I ordered a product that was invisable to others except for the fact that I went 85% of this winter in my spring suit and was so impressed that I invested in the company ... www.warmbelt.com $60.65 shipped anywhere in the continental USA you to can have a heated wetsuit...and no-one has to know unless you tell them.

April 07, 2009

Zero said:

Thermal undersuit Wondering if anyone heard or had this undersuit? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X0_06wgmKg Looks quite nice, I can wear it underneath my wetsuit Just don't know how much it may cost....

August 11, 2009

jimbob said:

h bomb heating is rubish on it and i went out and bought a hotsuit they are far better!!!!!!

January 07, 2010

ragged said:

Part time wetsuit for part time surfers Considering their e bomb suits only last 3 months of constant everyday use,its way overpriced,you would need your old suit as backup when warranty comes a calling...CRAP

March 10, 2010

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