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ION Neo Hoody Lite + Neo Cruise | TWC Review

ION Neo Hoody Lite + Neo Cruise Review

There’s so much more to neoprene than just wetsuits. Neo accessories including gloves, boots, and jackets are now common place in the market and are a great accessory to help keep any water enthusiast warm on and off the water. The Watesports Centre team have taken a look at and testing the 2021 Neo Hoody Lite and the Neo Cruise mens jackets from ION which have been designed for use all year round on the beach and whilst kitesurfing, surfing or Stand Up Paddling.

ION, the brand.

ION is a brand that is run by passionate people whose big love has always been watersports.”  ION develops gear that is not only smart and innovative, but also transforms this passion into a unique design. Originally launched as a watersports brand back in 2004, focusing on wetsuits and neoprene products, ION then expanded to include accessories, apparel. 

ION’s belief that “even the smallest items in the product range deserve the same dedication and precision as every complex item” explains why their high quality, stylish Neo products have found fans all over the world.

So, the jackets:

ION Neo Hoody Lite (Men) – £114.95

ION Neo Cruise (Men) – £114.95

Both the ION Neo Hoody Lite and the ION Neo Cruise are regular length jackets designed as with all the neoprene accessories to “protect you and keep you warm.”

Made from Neoprene they can be used over your wetsuit when back on the beach to warm up after a Kitesurf, surf or SUP session or help keep you warm during sessions. Designed to get wet, they also makes the perfect extra layer to take with you on your board on your kitesurfing or paddleboard sessions. There is no need to worry about it getting wet or finding room in your dry bag for extra layers.

The ION Neo Hoody Lite is made from 2.5mm thick neoprene and comes in a choice of three colours, Black, Red/Steel Blue or Steel Blue/Black and is available in 4 sizes Small (50cm chest), Medium (53cm Chest), Large (56cm Chest) and XL (60cm Chest).

The ION Neo Neo Cruise is also made from 2.5mm thick neoprene and comes in a choice of two colours, Black, or Steel Blue/Black and like the ION Neo Hoody Lite is available in 4 sizes Small (50cm chest), Medium (53cm Chest), Large (56cm Chest) and XL (60cm Chest).

Our Verdict:

The ION Neo Hoody Lite and the ION Neo Neo Cruise are both excellent quality and well designed.

All the colour choices in both jackets give a very stylish look.

On the Neo Hoody Lite, there are 2 generous deep zipped pockets, one of which contains a useful key loop, are the perfect size for warming up your hands or keeping small essentials safe. When zipped up fully the coat has a nice high neck and a good fitting generous sized hood with toggle tighteners. The hood is well designed and easy to adjust, providing excellent wind and rain protection whilst also maintaining good visibility and positioning when used kitesurfing or Stand Up Paddling. The coat and hood is very comfortable and does not hinder your kitesurfing or Stand Up Paddling movements when the correct size is worn.

The Neo Cruise is a front zip jacket and has one generous deep zipped pocket on the left side of the front of the chest which contains a useful key loop and is the perfect size for  keeping small essentials safe such as a key or phone. When zipped up fully the coat has a nice high neck. The Neo Cruise jacket is very comfortable and does not hinder your kitesurfing or Stand Up Paddling movements when the correct size is worn.

On both the Neo Hoody Lite and the Neo Cruise there is a harness hook opening at the front of the jacket which means it really is an all round watersports jacket designed to fit snuggly around windsurfers and kitesurfers harnesses, as well as being the ideal SUPers Neo accessory. Just like any neoprene garment it’s designed to get wet, just remember to rinse it with fresh water regularly to speed up the drying process and help preserve the fabric. After a few months use, the testers Neo Hoody Lite and the Neo Cruise jackets still look like new and have made being on the water on colder days or as the water temperature drops, a much more enjoyable experience and there’s no doubt your friends will be asking to borrow your jacket the next time you’re at the beach!

Shop ION Neo

ION Neo Hoody Lite (Mens) – £114.95 and ION Neo Cruise (Mens) – £114.95