Body Glove is one of the two original American wetsuit brands, founded in 1953 by twin brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell in Manhattan Beach, California. The brand’s history runs parallel to O’Neill’s: the Meistrells were experimenting with neoprene wetsuits in the early 1950s alongside Jack O’Neill in Northern California, with the two brands commercializing the concept on opposite coasts of the same state. This guide covers Body Glove’s story, the current lineup, how the suits fit, and where they sit relative to other brands.
Key Takeaways
- • Body Glove was founded in 1953 by the Meistrell brothers in Redondo Beach.
- • The current lineup runs from budget Voodoo ($90) to premium EX2 ($300+).
- • Sizing runs slightly looser through chest and waist than O'Neill or Xcel.
- • Body Glove's strength is budget and mid-range value, not premium-tier construction.
- • Plus-size variants (EX2 Plus, Voodoo Plus) more available than most surf brands.
The Meistrell brothers’ story
Bob and Bill Meistrell were twin brothers who opened Dive N’ Surf in Redondo Beach, California, in 1953, the same year Body Glove launched as the brand’s neoprene-suit line. The brothers had been experimenting with neoprene since the late 1940s and held a 1953 patent on a specific neoprene-fitting technique. Some accounts cite this patent as the “first” wetsuit, though Hugh Bradner’s 1952 Navy work predates it (see our history of the wetsuit for the full origin-story discussion).
Body Glove’s original strength was in commercial diving and spearfishing markets. Manhattan Beach was a center of California spearfishing in the 1950s, and Body Glove’s heavy-construction dive suits earned the brand its early reputation. Surf adoption followed through the 1960s as recreational surfing grew on the West Coast.
The Meistrell brothers ran the brand independently until 2014, when AcquaLung Group acquired Body Glove. Bob Meistrell passed away in 2013 and Bill in 2014, on the eve of the acquisition. The Body Glove Foundation continues the family’s involvement through the brand and through related ocean-conservation work.
Production has shifted to global manufacturing (mostly Thailand and China) but design and product management stay in California. The brand’s identity remains California-coastal, surf-and-dive-anchored.
The current lineup
Body Glove’s wetsuit range covers the budget-to-mid-range tiers more aggressively than the premium tier.
Voodoo ($90 to $140 band)
The entry-level full suit. Back-zip design, basic flatlock seams, simple construction. Comparable to O’Neill Reactor-2 in tier and target customer. Body Glove’s quality control at the price is consistent. See our best budget wetsuits guide and best wetsuits for beginners.
Prime ($120 to $180 band)
A step up from Voodoo with slightly better construction. Back-zip with reinforced seams. Workhorse beginner-to-intermediate suit. Less commonly featured than Voodoo but available through major retailers.
Pro 3 ($150 to $220 band)
Body Glove’s mid-tier surf line. Chest-zip closure, stretchy chest panel, GBS seams. Comparable to Hyperflex Access or O’Neill Reactor-2 step-up. Body Glove’s most-recommended suit for regular surfers wanting mid-range quality without paying premium.
Performance Surf ($180 to $260 band)
A sub-line within the Pro 3 family with surf-focused styling and improved seam construction. Targets the surfer who wants more than entry-level but does not want to commit to the EX2 premium tier.
EX2 ($280 to $380 band)
Body Glove’s premium line. Sealed-seam construction, premium neoprene, wider-shoulder cuts. Comparable to mid-range O’Neill Hyperfreak or Rip Curl Dawn Patrol. Body Glove’s premium tier sits below O’Neill’s premium tier in retail pricing.
Booties, gloves, hoods
Body Glove EX2 line includes booties, gloves, and hoods at competitive prices. Less popular than O’Neill or Xcel accessories but capable for moderate cold-water use. Covered in our bootie guide, glove guide, and hood guide.
Sizing and fit notes
Body Glove sizing is generally consistent across the lineup. A few patterns:
- Chest and waist run looser than O’Neill or Xcel equivalents. Broader athletic builds fit well; lean builds sometimes need to size down.
- Sleeves and inseam standard length. Less variation than O’Neill’s MS/MT/LS/LT range, so taller surfers may need to look elsewhere.
- Plus sizes available. EX2 Plus and Voodoo Plus extend to 18W in women’s and 3XL in men’s, more accessible than most surf brands.
- Women’s specific cuts in EX2 Women’s and Voodoo Women’s lines. Generally accommodate fuller busts better than men’s-derived patterns. See women’s wetsuits guide and larger chest guide.
Where Body Glove fits in the market
Body Glove competes most directly with Hyperflex at the budget tier and Quiksilver at the mid-tier. Less directly with O’Neill, Rip Curl, or Xcel premium tiers.
The brand’s strength is broad-market accessibility: available at REI, Dick’s, surf shops, dive shops, and major online retailers. The breadth of distribution, plus the consistent budget-to-mid-range pricing, makes Body Glove a default for first-time wetsuit buyers, beginners, and budget-conscious users.
For premium-tier buyers, O’Neill or Patagonia is generally the better choice. For budget and mid-range, Body Glove competes credibly.
Notable picks
The most-recommended Body Glove suit in our network is the Pro 3 3/2 for regular surfers wanting mid-range quality at a fair price. The EX2 Boot 3mm is the most-recommended Body Glove bootie. For first-time buyers, Voodoo 3/2 is the budget pick.
For broader context, see best surfing wetsuits, best wetsuits for beginners, best budget wetsuits, best wetsuits for scuba diving, O’Neill brand guide, Rip Curl brand guide, Xcel brand guide, and the complete guide to choosing a wetsuit.