Patagonia Men's R3 Yulex Regulator Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit - 4.5 / 3.5mm
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The Patagonia R3 Yulex Regulator Chest-Zip Hooded Wetsuit in 4.5/3.5mm is built for proper cold-water UK winter surfing. The integrated hood seals body heat where you lose it fastest, so you can stay in the water longer when sea temperatures drop into single digits. We've sold these to surfers heading into the Welsh winter at Rest Bay and Llantwit and they keep coming back for the warmth-to-flex ratio.
Why Yulex over neoprene?
This is a 100% neoprene-free wetsuit. The rubber is 85% Yulex natural rubber from Forest Stewardship Council certified sources, plus 15% synthetic rubber by polymer content, with a recycled nylon lining. Patagonia's manufacturing process for Yulex rubber generates roughly 80% less CO2 than traditional neoprene production. If you care about what your wetsuit is made of and where it came from, this is the warmest option that doesn't rely on petrochemical neoprene.
Spec at a glance
- Thickness: 4.5mm body / 3.5mm arms and shoulders for flex
- Integrated hood with snug face seal
- Asymmetrical chest-zip with replaceable corrosion-proof Riri zipper
- Solution-dyed thermal lining: 51% recycled nylon, 44% recycled polyester, 5% recycled elastane on torso and thighs
- Supratex kneepads and cuffs for durability without binding
- Easy-access key loop on the inside
- Suggested water temperature: 9 to 13°C / 48 to 55°F
- Fair Trade Certified factory production
Sizing and stock
Available in Mens sizes MS, M, MT, LS and L. Stock changes weekly through the autumn and winter season. If your size shows out of stock, get in touch through the shop and we can usually source it from Patagonia direct or let you know when the next batch lands.
Buying from a UK Patagonia stockist
Balsa Surf Shop in Porthcawl is an authorised Patagonia stockist. That means warranty cover comes from us locally rather than going through a US returns process. We can size you in person at the shop, talk you through whether the hooded R3 is overkill or just right for your home break, and handle exchanges without the freight cost of cross-border returns. Free UK shipping on orders over £50.
Delivery
Same-day Dispatch
Orders placed before 2 pm are usually dispatched the same day.
Orders after 2pm are typically dispatched the next working day.
Deliveries are made Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
Free Delivery
Free delivery is available for orders over £100, excluding surfboards.
International Shipping
Delivery to international destinations is estimated at 7–12 working days, depending on the country.
For orders shipped outside the EU, the customer (importer) may be responsible for customs duties or import tax.
If import duty is unpaid and the item is impounded by customs, Balsa Surf may not offer a refund.
If such an item is returned, any refund would be minus:
Postage costs -
Any extra costs incurred in returning the item to them.
Returns / Refunds Policy
14-day returns on all eligible items.
Items must be unused and in original packaging.
Return postage is the customer’s responsibility.
Refunds processed once we receive the item back.
FAQs
Not sure on size?
Check our size guide on the variant dropdown above, or pop into the Porthcawl shop to try it on. Happy to swap for free if it’s wrong.
Is it suitable for cold UK waters?
If it’s listed in a winter category, yes. For wetsuits specifically: 5/4mm for winter, 4/3mm spring/autumn, 3/2mm summer. Still unsure? Message us — we surf the same breaks you do.
Can I collect in-store instead of delivery?
Yes — select Local Pickup at checkout. Usually ready the same day if ordered before 2pm.
What if it arrives damaged or wrong?
Let us know within 48 hours and we’ll sort a replacement or refund. No quibbles.
Can you help me choose?
Absolutely — drop us a message or call the shop. Real surfers answering, not a chatbot.
Reviews
Absolutely amazing staff, fast shipping and a fantastic range of high quality products! Couldn’t recommend this enough!!!
Lexi Parobij-Tudor
Google Review
Cracking little shop with a vast selection of topmame products to offer- definitely worth a visit if you are in the area or on there website- 5⭐️
Craig Roberts
Google Review
Great shop run by passionate surfers - one of my go - to shops for anything surf-related, very reliable and fast web-ordering service!
Alexander Schmidt
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