Boardcave’s Best Wetsuits for Surfing [2023]
Wetsuits are like extensions of our skin that protect us from the elements and allow us to enjoy the water all year long. Selecting the best wetsuits for surfing is just like choosing the right surfboard. It should not only be based on comfort but, more importantly, according to water conditions.
Surfing wetsuits can be categorised into summer (warm water condition) and winter (cold water condition) wetsuits. But there is more to water temperature when selecting the best wetsuits. In this article, we look at the more important points when choosing the best surfing wetsuits. At Boardcave we have a huge range of wetsuits at our Wetsuit Warehouse thoughtfully curated for our different customers. Browse popular ranges like Womens Wetsuits or even our Kids Wetsuits collection to find the best suits for the whole family. See the full range of wetsuits here.
Why a Quality Wetsuit is Important
Drysuits or wetsuits? When it comes to surfing, wetsuits rule. Drysuits are loose-fitting and better at keeping you dry, but they produce a lot of drag, which can negatively affect your performance.
Popular Surfing Wetsuits
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Willem Banks all suited up in the Vissla 7 Seas 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip. Photo: Ryan Hill
When Should You Wear a Surfing Wetsuit?
There are no clear or formal guidelines in terms of when or where to wear a surfing wetsuit. It has often been a matter of personal or practical choice and everyone may handle the cold differently. Below are some rough guidelines you can follow to get an idea when a surfing wetsuit is required.
There are many variations of wetsuits depending on personal preference and water temp.
Things to Check When Buying a Surfing Wetsuit
Before we get into our list of the best wetsuits for surfing, let us first look at some of the critical items to check when buying this all-important surfing equipment.
Thickness
If you’re planning to surf in cold water conditions, then getting a thicker wetsuit is critical. It keeps your body warm by preventing heat loss.
A wetsuit’s thickness is represented by two numbers. A 3/2 mm (millimetres) wetsuit, for example, is three mm thick along the core and two mm thick along the arm and legs. The thickest portion of a wetsuit is located in your torso/core because it helps you better maintain your internal temperature by trapping heat. Another reason is unlike your legs and arms, which require better freedom of movement, a thicker and stiffer material could be used without compromising performance.
Zipper
Many of us would give little thought about the zipper’s importance in deciding which wetsuit to purchase. After all, it’s just something that gets us in and out of the wetsuit. But for those of us with some experience with wetsuits, the zipper’s location and length make a big difference in how easy or hard it is to get in or get out.
Chest zip and back zip.
Material
Surfing wetsuits are commonly made of neoprene which is 2 to 6 mm thick. Standard wetsuit thickness comes in 2 mm, 3/2 mm, 4/3 mm, and 5/3 mm. Neoprene is a lightweight, watertight, flexible, and synthetic rubber material. Neoprene wetsuits are good insulators and are able to trap heat better while keeping water out. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, Neoprene wetsuits are made of several layers stitched together. Wetsuit quality is generally determined by how well it is glued or stitched together and its overall finish.
Neoprene from an Atmosea and Vissla wetsuits
Style or type of wetsuits
Aside from wetsuit thickness, another thing to consider is the wetsuit’s style. It also offers different levels of protection depending on the amount of wetsuit coverage.
Our Recommendations
Many of us tend to believe that there’s not much difference in terms of surfing wetsuits aside from their style or what company they came from. But surfing wetsuits are not only about style but more importantly functionality. Below, we give you a list of some of the best surfing wetsuits and when to use them:
Overall Performer For the Mens
Vissla High Seas Wetsuits
The High Seas wetsuit range from Vissla are the ultimate high performance and lightweight wetsuit. The 'Ridiculous Rubber' is the most flexible they use and results in the strechiest arms and upper torso. The quick drying Thermal Brain Fuzz also maximises insulation, keeping you in the line up longer. The High Seas range has triple glued, double blind stitched seams and comes in styles and thicknesses, ranging from full steamer wetsuits, to short sleeve steamers to wetsuit tops.
All of Vissla's wetsuits are made from Japanese limestone based neoprene making them the choice for eco-conscious surfers. Some popular models in the range include:
- High Seas 2/2 Short Sleeve Full Wetsuit
- High Seas 2/2 Long Sleeve Spring Suit
- High Seas 1mm Long Sleeve Jacket
Overall Performer For the Women
Sisstr Revolution 7 Seas Wetsuits
Sisstrevolution is a manufacturer and designer of innovative, eco-conscious surfing wetsuits, surf clothing and apparel for women and girls. "Sisstr" brand of Vissla, Sisstrevolution continues to be a strong advocate of environment friendly products using a variety of sustainable materials.
Today, Sisstrevolution has become a recognised name for eco-friendly, high performance, and high-quality women's surf wetsuits and surf apparel. The popular Sisstr wetsuits use limestone-based neoprene which is surprisingly warm and comfortable compared to most wetsuits in the market today.
Men's Best for Beginners
Vissla Easy Seas 3/2 Back Zip Wetsuit
One of the best value surfing wetsuits by Vissla, the Easy Seas 3/2 Back Zip Mens Wetsuit is a performance-oriented, fast to dry, and highly stretchable wetsuit. Streamline and tailored-fit, the wetsuit is easy to put on and looks great on and off the water. The steamer wetsuit is made from 100 percent super stretch neoprene and eco-friendly dope Dyed Fabric. The result is a lightweight, warm, and ultra-stretch wetsuit that allows optimum freedom of movement. Its flatlock seam construction ensures a watertight seal while its back-zipper entry comes with a flush barrier entry that keeps water out.
Women's Best for Beginners
Vissla Summer Seas Solid Back Zip Wetsuit
The great value Summer Seas Solid Back Zip Full Wetsuit by Sisstrevolution is a performance-oriented steamer wetsuit designed to keep your warm while offering uncompromised flexibility. The wetsuit slides seamlessly for that perfect fit with its anatomically conforming body lines. The Summer Seas Solid Back Zip Full Wetsuit is made from 100 percent Japanese limestone-based neoprene. The back-zip entry provides easy entry and simple to use. It also comes with thermal lining for optimum heat retention and faster drying times.
Most Comfortable Wetsuits
Inner Relm
Inner Relm is a top quality manufacturer of surf wetsuits swimwear and apparel for men and women. Their mission is to create surf wear using sustainable practices and ecofriendly materials.
Their soft and highly stretchable wetsuits offer maximum comfort and minimal style and features a back-zip entry to make it easy to put on and take off. They are made from 100 percent Yamamoto Japanese limestone rubber to provide the right amount of warmth and protection when you need it.
Patagonia
Patagonia’s wetsuit collection is a game-changer, combining unmatched comfort with eco-friendly innovation. Crafted from Yulex Natural Rubber, these high-quality suits deliver peak performance while drastically reducing the environmental impact compared to standard neoprene. With Patagonia, you’re not just getting a wetsuit—you’re choosing sustainable gear that keeps you comfortable and the planet protected.
Best Surfing Wetsuit Brands
If you’re still undecided on what surfing wetsuit to buy, then selecting from the best surfing wetsuit brands is an excellent place to start. Below, we list the top surfing wetsuit brands.
Best Surfing Wetsuits Roundup
If you regularly hit the beach to catch the waves, then a good surfing wetsuit is the second-best investment you can make after a surfboard. This is why it is important that you take some time to think or even talk to an expert before making that purchase. If there is one good reason you should consider buying a wetsuit, then it should be Hypothermia, a real danger for anyone into water sports. It could strike not only during cold water conditions but can also happen on a clear sunny day. Making surfing wetsuits ‘not a want but a need’ for any serious surfer.
There are so many different variations of wetsuits out there, so we hope this gude helped in leading you in the right direction to find the right suit for you!
