How to Choose a Wetsuit for Surfing: Complete Guide

Surfing in warm tropical water in boardshorts or a swimsuit is pure freedom. In Bali, the ocean stays warm and inviting around 27–29°C (80–84°F) for most of the year, with water temperatures dipping only slightly during the dry winter trade-wind season (July–August). However, if your surf travels take you to cooler destinations like Portugal, California, Australia, or South Africa, a proper surfing wetsuit is an absolute necessity to stay warm and surf your best. Here is everything you need to know to choose the right wetsuit for surfing!

Step 1: Choose the Right Wetsuit Style and Cut

Wetsuits come in several styles tailored for different water temperatures and mobility requirements:

1. Springsuit / Shorty: Features short legs (above the knee) with either short sleeves, long sleeves, or a sleeveless vest cut. Springsuits provide core warmth and wind protection while giving your knees and shoulders maximum paddling freedom. Long-arm shorties are especially popular for breezy morning sessions. In Bali, a 1mm or 2mm shorty or neoprene top is ideal during breezy July–August morning sessions.

   

2. Fullsuit / Steamer: Full-length sleeves down to the wrists and full legs down to the ankles. Fullsuits are built with thicker neoprene to insulate against cold water and wind chill.

   

Rule of thumb: Whenever water temperature allows, opt for the thinnest, most flexible cut to minimize paddling resistance and maximize shoulder mobility.

Step 2: Choose Neoprene Thickness for Water Temperature

Wetsuit thickness is measured in millimeters (mm). When you see two or three numbers (e.g., 3/2mm or 5/4/3mm), the first number indicates the thicker neoprene on the chest and back torso (where your core needs heat retention), while the lower numbers indicate thinner, stretchier neoprene on the arms and legs for paddling and mobility.

Individual cold tolerance varies, but here is a standard water temperature guide for surfing wetsuits:

Important: Surfing wetsuits use high-stretch, flexible limestone- or plant-based neoprene designed specifically for dynamic upper-body movement. Do not buy a scuba diving or snorkeling wetsuit for surfing; diving suits use stiff, dense neoprene meant for depth compression, which will tire out your shoulders within 15 minutes of paddling.

Step 3: Dial In the Perfect Fit

Fit is the single most critical factor in wetsuit performance. A wetsuit works by trapping a micro-thin layer of water between the neoprene and your skin, which your body heat warms up. If a wetsuit is too loose, cold water will constantly flush through (“flushing”), freezing you instantly.

• Snug as a second skin: In the store, the wetsuit should feel very tight (without restricting breathing or cutting off circulation). Neoprene stretches when wet.
• No air pockets: Check that there is no loose bunching in the lower back, armpits, or groin.
• Check brand size charts: Brands (Rip Curl, O’Neill, Billabong, Vissla) have distinct cuts and offer intermediate sizes like MT (Medium Tall) or LS (Large Short). Match your height, weight, and chest measurements carefully.

Step 4: Check Seam Construction and Entry System

Seams determine how much water leaks through the stitching:

• Flatlock Seams: Stitched all the way through the neoprene. Breathable and durable, but lets water seep through; best for warm-water springsuits (2mm or less).
• Glued and Blindstitched (GBS): Neoprene panels are glued together and stitched only halfway through the material without puncturing holes on both sides. Keeps water out and retains warmth for 3/2mm and 4/3mm suits.
• Taped & Sealed Seams: GBS seams with internal waterproof tape and exterior liquid rubber seals. Maximum warmth, waterproofing, and durability for cold sessions.

Wetsuit Care Tips to Make It Last

1. Rinse with fresh water: Always rinse your wetsuit in clean cold water after every surf. Salt crystals degrade neoprene and corrode zippers.
2. Dry in the shade inside-out: Direct sunlight and UV rays break down neoprene elasticity and crack smoothskin panels.
3. Put it on gently: Don’t yank neoprene with your fingernails. Slide your limbs in slowly (using a plastic grocery bag over your feet can help them glide right through tight ankle cuffs).
4. Store on a wide hanger: Use a thick plastic hanger or fold it over the waist bar. Thin wire hangers stretch out the shoulders.