O'Neill

O'Neill is a brand deeply rooted in the surf culture of California, having been established by Jack O'Neill in 1952. The brand's inception is tied to the opening of the first surf shop off The Great Highway in San Francisco. This was a significant milestone not only for the brand but also for the surf community, as Jack O'Neill went on to invent the neoprene wetsuit, an innovation that stemmed from his experiments with WWII diving vests. This invention sparked the birth of an entire industry dedicated to surfwear.

The brand's journey saw it move from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, where it fully embraced the wetsuit business. O'Neill expanded its product line to include various styles and fits, catering to a diverse range of surf enthusiasts. The brand's commitment to innovation continued with the development of the Supersuit wetsuit and surf leash, both of which had a profound impact on the surf and diving communities.

As the brand evolved, it introduced the split-toe surf bootie, which provided a more natural feel on the board and became a standard design that would be replicated for years to come. Alongside this, the invention of the rash guard improved the comfort of the surfing experience significantly. The Animal Wetsuit was another notable product from O'Neill, being the first to feature knee pads, a design element that would later become standard across all models.

O'Neill's innovation didn't stop at surfwear. The brand released Hybrid shorts, a versatile product that was as comfortable on land as it was in water. The Superfreak Series boardshorts pushed the boundaries of stretch fabrication with the addition of a neoprene panel, offering surfers unprecedented freedom of movement.

The Hyperfreak Series wetsuit, featuring Technobutter neoprene, marked another milestone for O'Neill as it was the lightest and most flexible material on the market at the time. The Hyperfreak Hydro with the "No Tie Fly" closure system revolutionized boardshort design, maximizing comfort and security in the water. The Hyperfreak Fire Series wetsuit, powered by TB4, represented the next evolution of Technobutter neoprene. This material utilized recycled yarns infused with graphene, enhancing wear strength, flexibility, and heat retention.

O'Neill's history is not just about product innovation; it's also about a commitment to sustainability and protecting the oceans. The brand's efforts are evident in its O'Neill Blue mission, which focuses on creating innovative products while consciously expanding sustainability efforts to make a real impact now and for the future.

The brand's influence extends beyond its products. O'Neill has been involved in various environmental causes, including the O'Neill Sea Odyssey program, an ocean-based educational initiative that has reached over 100,000 children. Through these efforts, O'Neill continues to support the environment and promote the mission to protect our oceans for future generations.

Today, O'Neill operates from its headquarters in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and has satellite offices in various countries, including The Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Australia, Chile, and Korea. The brand's products, which include apparel, snowwear, swimwear, surfwear, and lifestyle items, are distributed to 86 countries worldwide. Some are distributed by licensed distributors, while in the United States, the O'Neill clothing license is held by the La Jolla Group. The O'Neill wetsuit business remains owned by the O'Neill family and is based in Santa Cruz, CA.

The legacy of Jack O'Neill, who passed away in 2017 at the age of 94, lives on through the brand. His pioneering spirit and dedication to the surf community have left an indelible mark on the industry. O'Neill's logo, symbolizing a breaking surf wave, and the "Wave logo" are trademarks that are recognized worldwide, representing the brand's enduring connection to the surf culture and its ongoing quest for innovation.