Sooruz News - 2026 Meeting and new innovations from Sooruz HQ
We were lucky enough to be invited to the Sooruz HQ for a meeting last week in La Rochelle, France. We've worked closely with Sooruz for a few years now and it was great to get over and see the guys behind the brand and see what they've got coming for Winter 26 and Summer 2027!
Eco - Credentials
Wetsuit technology has been amplified over the last few years with the integration of more eco-friendly materials by the factories to many different brands. While these innovations have been slowly building since the inception of Yulex back in 2013, price or performance has always been a severely limiting factor. Now, it seems - we don't have to compromise.
One of the most recent integration's has been the use of Oyster shells to replace limestone in neoprene - and Sooruz are very proud to be able to call this their very own innovation. Now, alongside the factories they use to produce their wetsuits, many other brands are able to use the same material to bring a much less environmentally impactful wetsuit onto the market.
Sooruz' original material is now 'Organic Oysterprene', and now contains 100% Bio-Based Material - essentially no fresh petroleum product. You'll see this being called every name under the sun by each brand - but its a Sooruz invention first and foremost!
U-ZIP
For the Winter 2026 range we will also see a new zip system coming into play in the Sooruz range - The U-Zip. We've seen a few of these systems floating about a couple of japanese brands initially and the last couple of years Vissla and Billabong have dabbled in using it. Now - we see it in our own range and the guys in the Sooruz office wouldn't stop singing its praises.
Why U-Zip?
The chest zip took over probably 20 years ago now - with a better fit overall than a backzip, better flexibility and more warmth due to less flushing and water ingress. The zips are smaller, so less water gets through them. They were still straight though - so stretch across the chest can be a limit, and the obvious side you enter the suit can still be an issue with flushing.
Now, zips can go around corners - and this is exactly why the U-Zip looks to excel. A curved zip from shoulder to shoulder under the neck means theres no loose flap just waiting for water to flush through it. It also means it has space to move and to flex - something surfers especially will gain from with all their paddling.
We still see sales in back zips though..... predominantly for those who have less flexibility and struggle with the tighter openings of chest zips. Openings got smaller and smaller to reduce flushing as much as possible - but that made them harder to get in and out. Now, with a curved zip we see larger openings - so we're expecting to see a good bunch of those Back Zip lovers testing and loving the new system.
Sooruz have been testing prototypes for months now, figuring out the best placement for the zips to not interfere with paddling while also improving flexibility as much as possible - and we're excited to see it come to life in the range.
Which suits will it be on?
For Winter 2026 we'll see the U-Zips solely on the Guru+ range - the tippydeetop for warmth and performance. For Summer 2027 we'll see that extend to the whole Guru range and the Fighter Pro - Jorgann Couzinet's pro line.
Chest Zip and front zip options will remain in the line for a while to come, to keep those sceptical happy. However, those in the office that had spent time in U-Zip suits are confident they are the bee's knee's and will come to replace all other options over the coming years in popularity. Its unlikely Sooruz will remove chest zips entirely, as like back zips there will always be someone who prefers another system - but even we have to admit, if you're after the best suit for the job - that suit looks like it's gonna have a U-Zip on it. Personally, we're excited to grab them in the 6mm's once the winter orders start arriving