Choose a surf wetsuit is not easy at all. The current market offers such a quantity of models that sometimes it can overwhelm you. To facilitate the choice, we have prepared this guide where you will find everything you need to know before buying a wetsuit.
How do I choose my surf wetsuit?
Before buying a wetsuit, you must ask yourself 3 questions:
1. What thickness of wetsuit do I need?
Depending on the water temperature where you will be surfing, you can choose between a short sleeve and short leg wetsuit to a full wetsuit with hood. The following water temperature guide can help you orient yourself with the type of wetsuit you need:
- Less than 3°C – 7mm full wetsuit, complemented with booties, gloves, and neoprene hood.
- Between 4°C and 7°C – 6/5mm full wetsuit, complemented with booties, gloves, and neoprene hood.
- Between 8°C and 11°C – 5/4/3mm full wetsuit, complemented with booties, gloves, and neoprene hood.
- Between 12°C and 17°C – 4/3mm full wetsuit, complemented with booties and neoprene gloves.
- Between 18°C and 20°C – 2mm wetsuit that can be short sleeve and short leg.
- Between 21°C and 25°C – Bathing suit and 1mm or thicker neoprene rash guard.
- Above 26°C – Bathing suit and rash guard or neoprene top.
- Example:
Imagine that you are surfing in the summer on the Cantabrian coast, where the water temperature usually ranges between 17 and 19 degrees. Depending on how sensitive you are to the cold, but we would recommend opting for a 2mm short sleeve version or a 3/2mm full wetsuit. . Oneil Hammer 2/2mm short sleeve
If you are going to surf in winter,
we recommend you take a look at our analysis of the best 4/3mm wetsuits. Where we compare the best wetsuit brands and tell you what to look for before buying a 4/3 wetsuit. te recomendamos que eches un vistazo a nuestro análisis de los mejores neoprenos 4 3 mm. Donde comparamos las mejores marcas de neoprenos y os contamos en qué debes fijarte antes de comprar un neopreno 4/3.
2. How often are you going to use the wetsuit?
If you are one of those people who only surf on weekends or on vacation, following our 7 basic tips to care for your wetsuit it is very likely that the wetsuit will last without losing its insulating properties.
3. What wetsuit size to choose?
And lastly, the big dilemma: choosing the size of your wetsuit. A very important factor and one that the brands do not make easy for us. Each surf wetsuit brand has its own size guide.
Issue: If we take it loose, it is most likely that water will enter and if we take it too tight, it will not allow us to move easily.
4. How to know if a wetsuit is your size?
To help you with getting the right fit on the chart at Single Quiver we have developed a wetsuit recommender. Thanks to its simple questionnaire, the correct size is guaranteed. We encourage you to try it. Anyway, at the end of this post, we have included the wetsuit size guide recommended by the main brands in the industry.
Anyway, here we leave you a wetsuit size guide based on your weight and height and the brand.
A tip , do not skimp when buying a wetsuit. After purchasing the surfboard, it will be the most important purchase you make.
Types of Wetsuits
There are fundamentally 3 types of wetsuits based on their closure.
- Wetsuits with chest zipper
- Zipperless wetsuits
- Surf suits with back zipper
Wetsuits with Back Zipper are very easy to put on, but they are colder and less flexible than those with chest zippers.
Wetsuits with Chest Zipper are warmer than back zip wetsuits, as they prevent water infiltration and also offer better flexibility. This is the type of zipper that the
Hurley Advantage Plus
has. Hurley Advantage with chest zipper Zip Free Surf Suits
Hurley Advantage con cremallera en el pecho
Wetsuits Zip Free
These have been the latest arrivals on the market. They are more flexible and correspond to the high-end models of the brands. They offer greater range of motion and are warmer than the previous ones. Example without zipper the Hyperfreak Comp by the brand Oneill.
Oneill without zipper
Characteristics of a wetsuit
The wetsuit has 4 characteristics main that must be evaluated to choose the right surf suit:
Wetsuit Thickness
It is the most important factor in determining how warm a suit is. It is indicated in millimeters, with a combination of two numbers separated by a slash. The first number indicates the thickness of the suit in the chest area. The second indicates the thickness in millimeters of the limbs.
These are the thicknesses and different types of thicknesses that you can find in a surf wetsuit:
- 6/5 mm (winter)
- 5/4 mm (winter)
- 4/3 mm (autumn – winter)
- 3/2 mm (spring – summer)
- 2/2 mm (summer)
Generally, the thickest area is in the chest area to increase the warmth of the core body. The thickness is reduced in the limbs in order to increase flexibility and range of motion when paddling.
Wetsuit according to water temperature
Based on the water temperature , you can determine which type of wetsuit is most suitable.
For example: if we say we want a 3/2mm suit for this spring, we will be getting a wetsuit with 3 millimeters of thickness in the torso and 2 mm of thickness in the limbs .
- For water temperatures equal to or greater than 23°C , it is recommended to use swim trunks and a shirt or rash guard.
- For temperatures between 21°C and 23°C , a 1 mm or thicker wetsuit vest along with swim trunks is advised.
- For temperatures between 18°C and 21°C, a 2 mm shorty wetsuit is recommended.
- For temperatures between 17°C and 18°C, a 2 mm wetsuit with short sleeves or legs may be sufficient.
- When the water temperature drops to 14°C or less, thicker wetsuits are necessary.
- For temperatures between 14°C and 17°C, a 3/2 mm full wetsuit is recommended.
- For temperatures between 12°C and 14°C, a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm full wetsuit along with booties is needed.
- For temperatures between 10°C and 12°C, a 4/3 mm full wetsuit, gloves, and booties are recommended.
- For temperatures between 8°C and 10°C, a 5/4/3 mm full wetsuit, gloves, booties, and a neoprene hood are needed.
- When the water temperature is equal to or below 8°C , a 6/5/4 mm full wetsuit, gloves, booties, and a neoprene hood are required.
«It is important to consider that wetsuit thickness is not the only factor to consider when choosing a surf wetsuit. It is also important to consider the quality of materials and construction of the wetsuit to ensure it is durable and provides the best possible performance».
2. Wetsuit Seams
In this section we will talk about seams. They will determine how much water penetrates the interior of the wetsuit and how long it lasts.
- Basic surf wetsuits are usually made with flatlock seams. These seams are clearly visible from the outside of the suit and allow a considerable amount of water to pass through.
- Mid to high-end surf wetsuits are made with a glued and blind stitched system. This means that the panels are blind stitched and then glued to prevent water from entering through the seams
- High-end surf wetsuits have seams sealed with a special rubber (Sealed and Taped). This prevents water from leaking through the seams and helps to keep the warm air trapped inside. It is the warmest method. An example of this suit is the Oneill Hyperfreak 4 3 . Wetsuit whose review and opinion can be read on our blog. Wetsuit Opinion Section .
Double sealed O Neill wetsuit
3. Construction and material of the surf wetsuit
Another important parameter when choosing a wetsuit is the construction of the suit. This directly influences flexibility. The current trend is to reduce the number of panels used, as this reduces seams and possible water leaks.
4. Neoprene Quality
One of the tips we have given you is not to skimp when buying a wetsuit. We already know that cheap often ends up being expensive. In the wetsuit industry, there are also different qualities. High-end models from top brands incorporate innovative technologies such as Technobutter 3 or Super Stretch.
What is the best surf neoprene on the market?
The O’Neill Hyperfreak is undoubtedly one of the best wetsuits for surfing. If you want to know why, do not miss our video review of the O’Neill Hyperfreak, the most awarded wetsuit in history. You can read our opinion on the Hyperfreak on our blog.
What are the best surf wetsuit brands?
Among the best surf wetsuit brands , Rip Curl, O’Neill, Xcel, Vissla, Quiksilver, Billabong, and Patagonia stand out. All these brands offer high-quality wetsuits with great performance, making them very popular among surfers worldwide.
- Rip Curl is a well-known surf wetsuit brand that has been in the market since 1969. This brand offers high-end wetsuits with advanced technology and top-quality materials. Rip Curl wetsuits are very popular among advanced and professional surfers, thanks to their great performance and durability.
- O’Neill , on the other hand, was the first brand to introduce the wetsuit in the market. Since then, it has evolved and developed advanced technology to improve the performance of its wetsuits. O’Neill wetsuits are very popular among surfers of all levels, from beginners to professionals.
- Xcel is another highly respected surf wetsuit brand. This brand focuses on the comfort and fit of its wetsuits, with innovative designs that adapt to the surfer’s body shape. In addition, Xcel offers a wide variety of wetsuits for different weather conditions and experience levels.
- Quiksilver and Billabong are two very popular surf wetsuit brands, especially among younger surfers. Both brands offer high-quality wetsuits at affordable prices, making them very attractive to beginner surfers.
- Finally, Patagonia is a surf wetsuit brand that stands out for its commitment to the environment. The brand uses sustainable and recycled materials to manufacture its wetsuits, making them very attractive to surfers looking for more ecological options.
By choosing any of these brands, you ensure high-quality wetsuits with great performance, so you should choose the one that best suits your needs.
How to know if a wetsuit is your size?
Each wetsuit brand has its own size guide. If you don’t have the opportunity to try it on, or if you are going to buy a wetsuit surf online, we advise you to take a look at the recommended neoprene size charts by the leading brands in the sector.
HURLEY MEN’S SIZE GUIDE
Here is the Hurley size guide for men based on your weight and height.
| SIZE | HEIGHT(CM) | WEIGHT(KG) | CHEST(CM) | WAIST(CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 163-168 | 52-61 | 86-92 | 71-76 |
| S | 170-173 | 61-68 | 86-92 | 74-79 |
| MS | 168-173 | 66-75 | 97-102 | 76-81 |
| M | 173-178 | 68-77 | 97-102 | 76-81 |
| MT | 183-191 | 78-82 | 97-102 | 76-81 |
| LS | 183-191 | 75-84 | 102-107 | 81-86 |
| L | 178-183 | 79-86 | 102-107 | 81-86 |
| LT | 188-193 | 84-91 | 102-107 | 81-86 |
| XL | 176-188 | 86-98 | 107-112 | 86-96 |
view Hurley wetsuit catalog
HURLEY WOMEN’S SIZE GUIDE
| SIZE | HEIGHT(CM) | WEIGHT(KG) | CHEST(CM) | WAIST(CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 163-168 | 45-54 | 80-85 | 61-66 |
| 6 | 165-170 | 48-57 | 83-88 | 64-69 |
| 8 | 168-173 | 50-59 | 86-92 | 64-72 |
| 10 | 170-175 | 56-64 | 90-95 | 71-76 |
HURLEY BOY’S SIZE GUIDE
| SIZE | HEIGHT(CM) | PESO(KG) | CHEST (CM) | WAIST (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 132-140 | 27-34 | 66-71 | 56-61 |
| 10 | 140-147 | 34-41 | 71-76 | 61-66 |
| 12 | 147-155 | 41-48 | 74-79 | 64-69 |
| 14 | 155-166 | 48-54 | 79-84 | 66-71 |
| 16 | 163-170 | 54-61 | 84-89 | 69-71 |
SIZE GUIDE ONEILL MEN
| SIZE | HEIGHT (CM) | WEIGHT (KG) | CHEST (CM) | WAIST (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 168-173 | 52-59 | 90-93 | 70-72 |
| SS | 166-171 | 59-68 | 95-99 | 75-79 |
| S | 173-178 | 61-70 | 95-99 | 75-79 |
| ST | 183-188 | 66-75 | 95-99 | 75-79 |
| MS | 169-174 | 66-75 | 99-104 | 79-84 |
| M | 175-180 | 70-77 | 99-104 | 79-84 |
| MT | 185-191 | 73-82 | 99-104 | 79-84 |
| LS | 171-177 | 73-82 | 104-110 | 84-89 |
| L | 178-183 | 77-86 | 104-110 | 84-89 |
| LT | 188-193 | 82-91 | 104-110 | 84-89 |
| XL | 180-185 | 86-95 | 110-117 | 88-93 |
see neoprene wetsuit catalog Oneill
SIZE GUIDE ONEILL WOMEN
| SIZE | HEIGHT (CM) | WEIGHT (KG) | CHEST (CM) | WAIST (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 155-160 | 41-48 | 76-81 | 62-67 |
| 4 | 160-165 | 45-52 | 77-83 | 64-69 |
| 6 | 163-168 | 50-57 | 80-85 | 66-71 |
| 8 | 165-170 | 54-61 | 83-88 | 64-74 |
SIZE GUIDE ONEILL KID
| SIZE | HEIGHT (CM) | WEIGHT (KG) | CHEST (CM) | WAIST (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88-98 | 11-13.5 | 48-53 | 45.5-51 |
| 2 | 98-108 | 13.5-16 | 51-56 | 48-53 |
| 3 | 108-118 | 16-18 | 53-58 | 51-56 |
| 4 | 118-126 | 18-25 | 58-64 | 51-56 |
| 6 | 126-133 | 22.5-29.5 | 62-67 | 55-60 |
| 8 | 133-141 | 27-34 | 66-71 | 58-64 |
| 10 | 141-147 | 34-41 | 71-76 | 58-64 |
| 12 | 147-155 | 41-48 | 74-79 | 64-69 |
| 14 | 155-163 | 48-54.5 | 79-84 | 69-74 |
| 16 | 163-170 | 54-61 | 84-89 | 71-76 |
➨ Where to buy your cheap wetsuit
At Single Quiver they have the best wetsuits and the best brands at the best price. They also have a section of WETSUIT OUTLET with offers up to 50% off on some suits. All the info in our online surf shop.
Looking for a summer wetsuit?
If you’re looking for a surfing wetsuit for summer and even fall, don’t miss our next video. Where we tell you the news that brands Oneill and Hurley bring for this season.
If you liked this post don’t forget to visit our Wetsuits Review section . Section where we give our opinion on the different suits that our team of analysts has the opportunity to try. Or you can also subscribe to our newsletter , where we will inform you punctually about our news.