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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.

  • Protection: Wetsuits are like another skin layer that acts like sunscreen and protects the skin against cuts and abrasions.
  • It helps you swim better: Wetsuits make it easier for you to float. Aside from their insulating properties, they also give you that extra lift. Wetsuits also make you swim faster by offering a smoother surface allowing you to glide better over the water.
  • Stay warm: If there’s one good reason you should wear a wetsuit, it’s to keep your body warm. Wetsuits are not designed to be watertight but help you stay warm by trapping your body’s internal heat.
  • Stay dry: A common misconception is that wetsuits keep you dry. It keeps your body warm by first letting water come in and then creating a thin layer of warm water which works as a barrier that prevents heat loss.
  • Better flexibility in cold water conditions: Nothing beats surfing in the bare. But when the going gets cold, it might not be the best idea. Prolonged exposure causes your nerves and muscles to cool. Stay long enough, and you eventually lose strength and coordination.
  • Popular Surfing Wetsuits

    Shop All Wetsuits
    wetsuits 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.

  • 24 ºC and above: wetsuit not required, but a rashie is recommended for sun protection;
  • 20 - 23 ºC: consider a wetsuit top or a spring suit, depending on the air temperature;
  • 18-20 ºC and below: spring suit or a full length wetsuit (steamer) is recommended;
  • 17 ºC and below: full length wetsuit (steamer) is highly recommended along with consideration for booties and a hood for the extra chilly temps.
  • wetsuits 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.

  • Back zip wetsuits. Zippers are usually placed at the back since this provides the easiest entry point. A major drawback is that this is the least watertight and can limit movements in the back.
  • Chest zippers. These are quickly gaining popularity because they offer better flexibility at the back while providing a better seal. However, having a chest zipper makes getting in and out of the wetsuit challenging.
  • Zipperless wetsuits. Before you start thinking of a tube where you imagine yourself wriggling to get inside the wetsuit, zipperless wetsuits still come with zippers or Velcro, usually located at the neck or chest area. Frequently found in thinner wetsuits, these offer the best in terms of flexibility.

  • wetsuits 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.

    wetsuit neoprene 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.

  • Hooded Full Wetsuit: These offer the best protection against extreme cold-water conditions (below 7 ºC). Hooded full wetsuits are 6/5 mm or 7 mm, which are the thickest and designed for frigid environments. Forty percent of the body’s heat is lost through the head, and a hood-equipped surfing wetsuit is the best solution for this.
  • Full Wetsuit (Steamer): These wetsuits provide cover for the whole body: core, legs, and arms. It offers a high level of protection against the elements and could be used for cold and cool water environments. Thicknesses range from 5/4 mm to 3/2 mm. For more examples, check out our range of Steamer Wetsuits.
  • Spring Suit Wetsuit: These are designed for warm water conditions. It allows more flexibility by freeing the lower arms and legs for better movement. Spring wetsuits also have the most variations, with some having shorter arm coverage and full leg coverage or vice versa. View our range of Spring Suit Wetsuits.


  • 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:


    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.


    Vissla & Sisstr Wetsuits Sisstr women's and Vissla men's wetsuits


    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.

    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.

  • Vissla (Men's & Boy's)
  • Sisstrevolution (Women's & Girl's)
  • WALLIEN (Women's)
  • Atmosea (Women's & Girl's)
  • Inner Relm
  • Adelio
  • O’Neill
  • Buell Surf
  • Billabong
  • Rip Curl
  • Patagonia
  • Quicksilver
  • Excel


  • 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.


    womens wetsuits 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!