Choosing a wetsuit: thickness, fit, zips and seams
5 min read
Thickness follows the water
Wetsuits are named by their neoprene thickness in millimetres: the first number is the body, the second the arms and legs, so a 4/3 has 4 mm on the torso and 3 mm on the limbs for easier paddling. Pick it from the water temperature, not the air:
- 24 °C and up: boardshorts or a bikini, with a rash vest or lycra against sun and rash.
- 21 to 24 °C: a springsuit (short arms or legs) or a 2 mm top.
- 18 to 21 °C: a 3/2 fullsuit.
- 15 to 18 °C: a 4/3 fullsuit, boots in the colder weeks.
- 12 to 15 °C: a 5/4 with a hood, boots and gloves.
- Under 12 °C: a 6/5 hooded suit, 5 to 7 mm boots and gloves.
In the app: Every spot page and the wetsuit pages by country give the water temperature and the suit for each month.
In the app: Comparing models? Wetsuit ranges by brand: entry to top for 14 brands, with thicknesses, zips and about prices.
Wind, cloud and how long you stay out shift this by a step: if you feel the cold, or surf long sessions in winter, go one band warmer. A suit that is too thick in warm water is tiring and overheats you.
Fit matters more than the brand
- Snug everywhere, no folds: water that sloshes in under the arms or at the lower back is what makes you cold.
- No pull across the shoulders when you stretch your arms forward as if paddling.
- Neck seal close but comfortable: it should not choke, and no gap when you turn your head.
- Try two sizes when you can: brands cut differently, and the same height and weight can fit two sizes.
Chest zip, back zip, zipless
- Back zip: easiest to put on and take off, the long zip lets a little more water in. Common on entry suits.
- Chest zip: a short zip across the chest, a better seal and more stretch across the back. The usual choice for 4/3 and up.
- Zipless: the warmest and most flexible, but a fight to get into, especially when wet and cold.
Seams
- Flatlock stitching: flat and cheap, but water seeps through the stitch holes. Fine in warm water only.
- Glued and blind stitched (GBS): glued first, then stitched without going all the way through. The standard for 3/2 and up.
- Taped or liquid sealed: tape or a rubber bead over the seams inside or outside, for cold water and a longer life.
Boots, gloves and hood
Feet and head lose heat first. Boots also protect from rocks and urchins on reefs. Split-toe boots grip the board better; round-toe are warmer. A separate hood can be added to a 4/3 for a cold snap instead of buying a 5/4.
Making it last
- Rinse it in fresh water after every session, inside and out.
- Dry it in the shade, inside out first, on a wide hanger or folded over a bar: the sun and a thin hanger ruin neoprene.
- Never leave it wet in a bag, and keep it away from heaters.
- Small cuts: neoprene glue fixes them in minutes before they grow.
In the app: The full routine, smell and small repairs: wetsuit care. Cold water and your ears: surfer’s ear and earplugs.
Warm water
Boardshorts should fit tight at the waist with a drawstring, no pockets that fill with water, and a short inseam for paddling. A rash vest or a thin long-sleeve top stops the sun and the board rubbing; in strong sun many surfers wear one all day. Reef booties help on shallow reefs.