Guide to Buying a Wetsuit

When buying a wetsuit you need to have a think about a couple of things before you go shopping. Firstly, what type of wetsuit do you need to buy. Second, what size do you need to buy. If you are surfing in cold water then you need a good wetsuit and you should be prepared to pay for it.

Wetsuit size is an easy one - check out the size charts to find the suit you need -

Mens O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart
Mens Quiksilver Wetsuit Size Chart
Womens O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart
Kids / Groms O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart
Roxy Wetsuit Size Chart

Which Wetsuit To Buy

Good wetsuits are not cheap, but on cold days are well worth the investment. Deciding which type of wetsuit you need depends on the water temperature that you are surfing in. If you only going to be surfing in England during the summer months then a spring suit will be fine. If you are surfing down the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand in the depths of winter you are going to need a 5/3. (5/3 refers to the thickness of the neoprene in millimeters). If the water is going to be very cold you will also need booties, gloves and a wetsuit hood - and for those extra cold days an extra rash vest to help keep the heat in.

'Shortie' Wetsuit

A shortie is for water temperatures above 70F and is made of 2mm neoprene. If boardshorts are just that little bit cold then a shortie is for you.

Three Quarter Length / Springsuit

Used when the water temperature is between 65-75F and made of 3/2mm neoprene. Great for those windy days when it would be too cold in a shortie. The three quarter length refers to the wetsuit having short arms or legs.

Full Suit

A full suit is needed for water temperatures below 65F. Depending on whether you feel the cold or not, or just how cold the water will be you will either need a 4/3mm or a 5/3mm wetsuit. A 5/3mm suit will be needed if the temperatures get below 60F.

When It Gets Too Cold

Buying a titanium rashvest can help with the cold, as will buying booties, gloves, wetsuit socks and a wetsuit hood. The temperatures above are only guidelines as some people feel the cold more than others. If you like comfort go for a thicker suit - but keep in mind that a thicker suit is a less flexible suit.

If you are surfing in extremely cold conditions then you are going to need a semi-dry suit, and that is a whole other type of suit.