Billabong Skinny Sea legs

Darn, I love these things! Spotted them in the Billabong shop, and was like, these are coooool. They're part of Billabong's Surf Capsule range, and are officially known as Skinny Sea Legs, or just flipping lekker leggings in plain English.

They're 1mm neoprene, so are perfect for keeping the chill off, as well as giving you some protection from the reef if you're surfing somewhere tropical. Always nice to know when you're paddling over the lip on a late take off that you can land on ya butt no probs cos you aren't gonna donate any skin to the reef. Get rag-dolled with confidence!

Random 3 and 5 hand sign is for my 35 days non-stop surfing

Another plus is that they keep the sun off your legs, which is a bonus when you're putting in some long summer sessions. Avoid getting sunburnt, and the other more gnarly things that happen from too much sun exposure.

Bought mine just before heading over to Indo for 5 weeks, and was so stoked that I had. They turned out to be the best things ever to surf in day in and day out. Incredibly comfy, cos only 1mm neoprene - so stretchy you could happily do yoga in 'em. 

Didn't feel too warm in them at all. A couple of the girls I was surfing with were like "aren't you hot in those?" Nup, not at all. Also, felt so much safer knowing that I could get bounced along the reef and not get cut too shreds. Funny how a 1mm wettie legging can impart a sense of invincibility! Quite a few times I wished I had a neoprene top as well! Coral heads don't look so mean if you know they can't eat you.

So nice not to have the hassle of putting sunscreen on your legs. Really annoying when it rubs off your legs and onto your board and you slip slide all over the place. The little bit of padding on your hip bones from the neoprene is a bonus, cos no longer get the lil bruises that inevitably come from hours and hours and day upon day lying on your board. My hip bones are normally bruised black by the end of a trip, and this time no probs at all.

​Skinny Sea Legs have a mid-rise cut, which means good coverage on your back - you won't get caught out with that burnt stripe across your lower back where boardies normally end and your rashie starts. Consider going one size smaller than you think you might need as they do have a good amount of stretch. Same as normal wettie sizing I guess, you always want it to be a wee bit tight when you try it on on the shop cos once it's wet it stretches.

They fit well in the waist meaning no water sneaks in and gives you the jello-leg look. Snug ankle seams means no flush up that way either. There's a small key pocket inside the bottom of your left leg.

The denim print is really realistic. Complete with zipper detail and some pseudo rips. Lost count of the number of peeps that asked me why I was surfing in my jeans! Cos yip, they look exactly like jeans. You'd probably get away with wearing them on a casual night out!

One of the ou's I met worked at a surf shop in Aus and said they'd even sold a few pairs to guys. Ok, that's a bit sketchy! Although, having said that, don't see why guys wouldn't want to benefit from the full leg sun protection as well?

If you're looking for something to surf in during summer, or to take on that tropical surf trip, Billabong's Skinny Sea Legs should be at the top of your shopping list. Love mine! Gonna buy some more for sure!