For many, a wetsuit is the last conceivable purchase (apart from maybe a helmet). The casual Floridian, lake rider or club cruiser is unlikely wriggle their way into a form-fitting neoprene bodysuit just for a few hours of enjoyment on the water. Yet, for those who take their riding sessions a bit more seriously, a smartly built wetsuit that acts as a protective second ski is as necessary as a lifevest.
For this purpose we at The Watercraft Journal sought out Slippery’s newest iteration of its single-piece race john, the Breaker Pro wetsuit. This lean, low-frills but insanely well-built one-piece john is exactly the kind of subdued suit that both racer and athlete will appreciate. Slippery takes functionality and form to a new level that we’ve never yet encountered, and frankly, we’re pretty wowed. (Yeah, I said it, wowed by a wetsuit. – Ed.)
First, the Breaker Pro is priced at $99.95. That’s about the middle-of-the-road for one-piece johns. But, that’s because the Breaker Pro isn’t screaming at you with a bunch of superfluous add-ons. There’s no extra hoops, or hooks or doodads. Rather, Slippery poured all of its efforts into maximizing the john’s comfort, flexibility and breathability. (If that’s a word. – Ed.) There’s no globs of goofy puffy paint, heavy silk screened-on patterns or gaudy print either.
Instead, what you get is a suit made from 1.5mm airprene that is lightly perforated, breathable neoprene that is impressively durable for its second-skin thickness. Slippery changes things up with 1.5mm-thick glide skin at the chest for added comfort while keeping the rider’s core temperature “optimal.” Yet, where rider’s need added protection, new 1.5mm Tatex – a tough, grippy textured material – has been grafted at the knees.
Flat-stitched seams hold the suit together without bunching or building up at the joints, and a single hook-and-loop Velcro shoulder closure is the solitary fastening point. No zippers. Although the elastic loop is fixed to the back of the left calf to hoop to ease removing/donning the suit, a single car key or surfboard lanyard can be passed through (both options used by surfers, less so for jetskiers).
Being a sleeveless john means range of motion for the arms and neck are at a maximum. Thankfully, motion at the chest, waits and legs is nearly as limitless thanks to the airprene construction. Ventilation in the seat and crotch is the best we’ve seen as well. While the Breaker Pro won’t necessarily ward off a winter’s chill given its thin construction, it will provide protection from the elements and retain much of the user’s body heat.
We first received our Breaker Pro prior to riding the 2021 Yamaha SuperJet. Knowing how mediocre of a standup rider we are, it was understood that we’d be doing our fair share of swimming. Thankfully, the new SuperJet proved impressively easy to ride (bonus) and the Breaker Pro being super forgiving when having to paddle after the wayward Yamaha after yet another exhaustive get-off.
Lastly, unlike so many other wetsuits we’ve donned over the years from a variety of different brands, the Slippery Breaker Pro doesn’t feel like packing a sausage when you’re trying to slip inside of it. Regardless of your size or build, thicker suits can feel constrictive and insulating – not so with this one. It’s easily the most comfortable suit we’ve tried and one we’ll keep in our riding gear closet for years to come.
Question about sizing recommendation, seeing as your familiar with the slippery and Jetpilot brands. I’m looking for a John style wetsuit. I’m 5’9” and 220 lbs. I’m not lining up in the size charts! Stocky little fella! Don’t wanna go for my weight and get something too long! Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Good question. Unfortunately, you’re going to be getting a little extra length in the limbs regardless of brand. JetPilot is a little more constrictive for us bigger guys as they’re very athlete-focused in their cuts. Slippery is a little more forgiving. You’ll see the extra length in the knees and elbows mainly, which for flexibility, might actually be a blessing.
Good to know! Do you think I’d be able to squeeze into an XL? Or should I deal with the extra length of the XXL? Thanx for the quick feedback!