A wetsuit is one of the most important pieces of surfing equipment you will ever buy. It keeps you warm in cold water, protects your skin from sun and abrasion, and can even provide some buoyancy. But a poorly fitting or inappropriate wetsuit can make your session miserable, lead to premature exhaustion, and even contribute to hypothermia in cold conditions. Understanding wetsuits is essential for any serious surfer.
How Wetsuits Work
Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene material. Your body heats this water, and the neoprene traps it, keeping you warm. This is why a wetsuit must fit snugly — if it is too loose, new cold water will constantly flush in and out, making you cold. A properly fitting wetsuit should feel tight when you first put it on, almost uncomfortably so. This is normal.
The warmth of a wetsuit is determined by its thickness, measured in millimeters. The thicker the wetsuit, the warmer it is, but also the less flexible and the more restrictive it is to paddle in. The most common wetsuit thicknesses are 3/2mm (suitable for water temperatures around 14-18C), 4/3mm (suitable for around 11-14C), and 5/4mm (suitable for around 8-11C). In extremely cold water, a 6/5mm or 6/4mm with booties, gloves, and a hood is required.
Wetsuit Types
Full suits (steamer) cover your entire body and are the most common wetsuit type for surfing. They come in various configurations: spring suits (short arms and/or short legs) for warmer conditions, full suits for cooler water, and hooded full suits for cold water.
Springsuits and shorties have shortened arms and/or legs and are designed for warmer water temperatures where you do not need full coverage. They are easier to paddle in and more comfortable in water above 18C, but they leave your legs and/or arms exposed to the sun and do not provide as much warmth as a full suit.
In water below about 10C, a hooded wetsuit is essential. A lot of body heat is lost through your head, and a hood dramatically improves warmth retention. Combined with booties and gloves, a hooded wetsuit can extend your surfing season through the coldest months.
Choosing the Right Thickness
Choosing the right wetsuit thickness depends on the water temperature you will be surfing in. Use this guide as a starting point: above 20C — no wetsuit needed, or a light rash guard. 18-20C — 2mm spring suit or swim skin. 14-18C — 3/2mm full suit. 11-14C — 4/3mm full suit. 8-11C — 5/4mm full suit with boots. Below 8C — 6/5mm or 6/4mm with hood, boots, and gloves.
Remember that you will generate heat while paddling and surfing, so you will often be comfortable in a slightly thinner wetsuit than these guidelines suggest during active surfing. But you do not generate heat while waiting for waves or after a wipeout, so err on the side of warmth.
Fit and Care
A wetsuit should fit snugly against your skin with no gaps or loose areas, especially around the chest, back, and shoulders. Gaps in these areas will allow cold water to flush in and rapidly cool you down. When you try on a wetsuit, raise your arms overhead and twist your torso — if the suit pulls and feels restrictive, that is normal for a proper fit.
Care for your wetsuit by rinsing it thoroughly with fresh water after every session, especially if you have been in saltwater or chlorinated water. Hang it to dry out of direct sunlight (UV degrades neoprene). Do not wring it out — this can stress the seams. With proper care, a quality wetsuit will last two to three seasons of regular use.
Reef-Safe Wetsuits
Traditional neoprene wetsuits are made from petroleum-based chemicals and are not biodegradable. If you are concerned about environmental impact, look for wetsuits made from limestone-based neoprene or recycled materials. Several manufacturers now offer eco-friendly wetsuit options that perform as well as traditional wetsuits with a smaller environmental footprint.