What's Happening?
An update from Ruby Fresh ...
In what seems like an eternity (almost), there is light again at the end of a long time tunnel.
Version 3 of the Ruby Fresh wetsuit range (the Flow & the Echo) is within grasp. They are expected to land in August 2024. This is a long way out from my expected delivery date of October 2023, and I feel even a little cautious printing that, but I do at last have the confidence to put a date in this post.
So what is new?
Quite a lot!
Here’s a bullet point list and I’ll go into depth on many of the points in subsequent scribbles:
An entirely new model - The Echo. Aimed squarely at already naturally buoyant swimmers who simply don’t need the buoyancy provided by the original Flow model. Those able to read between lines will understand this also opens up a market for the folk swimming in more buoyant water - the sea. But this was not the primary intention. The new Echo model will feature #39 & #38 Yamamoto neoprene, (including the titanium warmth retention membrane). This means on the plus side more durability and a lower RRP, but on the minus side not as flexible through the arms. I’ve been swimming in the Echo a lot the past 4 months. More on the new Echo in a future post.
Four new female models and one new male model. We have enhanced our ‘Goddess’ sub-range with the inclusion of Womens Large and X-Large Goddess sizes. Combined with our existing Womens Medium Goddess, this sub-range will provide absolute top quality female swim wetsuits for the approx 76kg to 118kg curvy swimmer. In addition we have new Womens Medium Tall and a Womens Large Tall models. The boys get a new Short Stocky model - for the 5’8”ish 95+kg’ish guy.
Female sizing parameters across nearly all sizes has been updated. Just those little dimensional tweaks that will make the difference. We have 11 male and 11 female sizes across each model - The Flow and The Echo.
Panel redesign to enhance longevity of the suits at two different points. That’s right, the suits will last longer! One of the panel redesigns incorporates observations on wear characteristics over the past 3 years and uses an interesting technology. I will get granular on this in a future post.
In combination with the above point, a new panel design allows that section of the suit which deteriorates first to be replaced, again, adding to the overall life of the wetsuit.
We should have swim socks and a thermal cap design just in time for the colder southern hemisphere months.
A new ‘find your size’ on-line tool to, we believe*, provide 95% surety of fit. This is a pretty big deal considering our direct to consumer sales model. This should possibly even be the top bullet point! {* because its still in final beta}
We have a new logo (as seen above) and new suit graphics and a fresh female Aqua Blue colour way. The logo will roll out in different forms as the new V3 suits arrive.
We have a new X channel.
We have a new Strava Club. Come join! Share your swims. Check the stats… and receive exclusive rewards.
We have this Substack channel, which you are reading this on. It’s our ‘magazine’.
Once we have a definitive delivery time on V3 we will be opening pre-orders on the web site.
Watch out for further news on the details of the new suits and products over the following weeks.