A wetsuit – also known as a neoprene suit – is a specialized surf suit made from the insulating material neoprene. It protects you from cold water, wind, and UV radiation while surfing. The wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit. This layer is warmed by your body heat and acts as a natural insulator against the cold ocean.
Neoprene is a flexible foam filled with tiny air pockets. These provide both buoyancy and thermal insulation – ideal for spending long periods in the water. Depending on the model, a wetsuit not only keeps you warm, but also protects you from skin abrasions caused by your surfboard or from wipeouts over reefs.
For surfers, a wetsuit is essential gear – whether you're riding waves along the French Atlantic coast or paddling out at a break in northern Portugal. Depending on water temperature, surf spot, and your personal sensitivity to cold, there are different wetsuit models and thickness levels, which we’ll explain in detail below.
Wetsuits are available specifically for both men and women.
A brief overview
The History of the Wetsuit
Jack O’Neill introduced the first wetsuits in 1952.
Back in the day, surfers wore wool sweaters to protect themselves from the cold while riding waves. In 1952, Jack O’Neill began designing and producing the first wetsuits at the Great Highway in San Francisco and opened the world’s first surf shop. He experimented with various materials and created the first neoprene vests for surfing, laying the foundation for an entirely new industry.
In the 1960s, Jack and his family developed various designs, including the first wetsuit for women. Soon followed innovations like the surf leash, booties, and rashguards. Demand grew worldwide, and surfers everywhere wanted to surf longer and better using O’Neill’s gear.
What began with Jack O’Neill’s desire to stay warm in the water has grown into a global multimillion-dollar brand for surf apparel and equipment.
After nearly 70 years of research and innovation, modern wetsuits are true high-tech products designed to do one thing: deliver maximum warmth while allowing total freedom of movement in the surf.
Overview
Which Surfing Wetsuit Suits You Best?
Neoprene vest, neoprene jacket, shorty, long john, short john, or steamer – the options seem endless.
If you’re looking for the perfect surfing wetsuit, it’s not just about size or brand – what matters most is choosing the right model for your needs. Whether you're surfing in France in spring, chasing winter swells in Morocco, or enjoying a warm summer day in Portugal, you’ll need different types of wetsuits to stay protected and move freely in the water.
Your personal sensitivity to cold, your surf level, and the kind of session you’re planning also play an important role. Do you get cold easily and prefer to stay warm? Or do you love surfing with as little gear as possible, as long as the temperature allows? Maybe you just need something for chilly morning sessions – or the right wetsuit for your next surf trip adventure?
To save you from clicking through endless options, the next section gives you a clear, visual overview of the most important wetsuit types – with short explanations on their ideal use, temperature range, and key benefits. This will help you quickly find the wetsuit that matches your surf style and comfort level.
Overview of Wetsuit Models for Surfing
Depending on the water temperature, surf spot, and your personal sensitivity to cold, there are different wetsuit models – from fullsuits to rashguards. Here’s a visual guide to the most important types for your next surf trip.
Steamer / Fullsuit
The classic full-body wetsuit with long sleeves and legs – ideal for cold water. It provides reliable protection from cold, wind, and sun.
Short-Sleeve Wetsuit
Long legs and short sleeves – perfect for warmer days with cooler water. Offers solid protection and more freedom of movement in the shoulders.
Long John
A sleeveless wetsuit with long legs – ideal for warm water with chilly mornings. Great freedom of movement while paddling.
Shorty
A summer classic with short sleeves and legs. Great for warm days in the water – lightweight, flexible, and easy to put on.
Neoprene Jacket
A practical extra layer for wind, breaks, or chilly evenings. Also great for SUP sessions or worn with boardshorts.
Lycra / Rashguard
A thin, quick-drying shirt for sun protection or wearing under your wetsuit. Perfect for tropical surf spots.
Wetsuit
Which Wetsuit for Which Water Temperature?
The choice of wetsuit depends on both air and water temperature.
The wetsuit thickness you need for surfing depends on both air and water temperature. When both are over 25°C, boardshorts and a lycra/rashguard are usually all you need to enjoy the waves. But the cooler it gets, the thicker your wetsuit should be.
Springsuits, shorties, and neoprene tops are perfect for water temperatures around 20°C. They offer increased flexibility but provide less insulation, especially in the torso area, due to thinner neoprene and flatlock seams. A shorty protects your back from sunburn, keeps you warm on windy days, and still allows plenty of freedom of movement.
When the water temperature drops below 20°C, a springsuit becomes the better choice. It offers more warmth and comes in variations like long arms with short legs, or short sleeves with long legs.
If you're surfing in European summer with water temperatures between 15–20°C, it’s time for a steamer (fullsuit). A wetsuit with long arms and legs and a neoprene thickness of 3/2 mm to 4/3 mm offers full-body insulation. Look for Glued and Blind Stitched (GBS) seams and zippers with internal flaps or sealing cuffs to prevent cold water from entering the suit.
When the air and water temperature drops further or the wind picks up, you'll want to use a 5/4 mm to 7 mm wetsuit. This is typical in spring, autumn, and winter. Coated neoprene provides extra warmth and comfort. Watertight seals, high-insulation linings, and integrated hoods help protect you even when temperatures hit single digits. Keep in mind: the thicker the wetsuit, the less flexible it becomes – so always find the right balance between warmth and mobility.
Water Temperature – Recommended Wetsuit
25 °C+ – Lycra, Rashguard
21–25 °C – 2mm, 1mm (Neoprene Jacket, Short John, Shorty)
18–20 °C – 3/2mm, 2mm (Short John, Shorty, Short Sleeve)
12–17 °C – 4/3mm, 3/2mm (Fullsuit)
8–11 °C – 5/4mm, 4/3mm (Fullsuit)
Below 7 °C – 7mm, 6/5mm, 5/4mm (Fullsuit, Hooded Fullsuit)
Back Zip, Front Zip, Chest Zip or No Zip – a comparison
Which zipper type for wetsuits?
The back zip wetsuit features a long pull cord on the zipper, so you can close it by yourself.
The zipper determines how easy your wetsuit is to put on – and how warm and flexible it is. Here's a quick overview of the most common types:
Back Zip: Zipper on the back – easy to put on and take off, ideal for beginners. However, it lets more water in, so it's better suited for warmer conditions.
Front Zip: Runs along the front from neck to waist. Easy to close, usually found on short wetsuits like springsuits.
Chest Zip: Zipper across the chest. Warm, flexible, and relatively watertight – putting it on is a bit more challenging.
No Zip: No zipper at all. Very warm and flexible, but harder to get into. Perfect for long sessions in cold water.
Wetsuit
How tight should a wetsuit fit?
It should also lie flat against your back without any bulges or folds.
Very snug – but with freedom of movement! The most important thing about a wetsuit is that it fits tightly against your skin. This allows a thin layer of water to enter between the suit and your body, which is warmed by your body heat and helps maintain a comfortable temperature.
Your wetsuit should feel like a second skin and fit perfectly. That’s how it protects you from getting cold and delivers optimal thermal performance. Make sure there are no large folds and that the arms and legs don't twist when putting it on. To prevent water from flushing in, ensure the neck and sleeve openings seal tightly against your skin.
If the wetsuit is too loose, it won't trap the water properly – and the thermal layer can’t form. Water will just flow in and out, and the suit won’t keep you warm. On the other hand, a wetsuit that’s too tight can be uncomfortable and restrict your paddling. If you’re short of breath or can't move freely, the wetsuit is too small.
Wetsuit
How to put on a wetsuit?
Only once you’ve pulled the wetsuit up to your crotch should you continue with the rest.
Start by pulling the leg opening over one foot and ankle, then work the suit up to your thigh – one leg at a time!
The knee pad should sit comfortably above your knee without creating large folds in the back of the knee.
Pull the suit up over your hips until the lower part of the wetsuit is snug in the crotch area.
Next, pull it tightly over your upper body and make sure there are no major creases.
Now slip your arms in one after the other. Make sure the neoprene doesn't get twisted.
There shouldn’t be too much space between the suit and your armpits. Pull the neoprene up to your shoulders.
Carefully close the zipper. If you have a back zip, you can fasten the Velcro strap afterward.
The collar of the wetsuit should sit snugly against your neck. Check the fit, do a quick mobility test, and make sure everything feels good and comfortable.
Tip: Use a surf poncho as your mobile changing room to keep things discreet when changing at the beach.
Wetsuit
What do you wear under a wetsuit?
You can wear swim trunks under a wetsuit, but it’s not comfortable and doesn’t really serve a purpose.
Nothing, bikini, boardshorts, underwear, or lycra shirts!
Going naked in your wetsuit
To make your wetsuit feel like a second skin, many surfers choose to wear nothing underneath. The tighter the wetsuit fits, the better it retains warmth.
Bikini or boardshorts under your wetsuit
If you prefer to wear something underneath, tight-fitting swimwear is recommended for men. Loose boardshorts can bunch up and cause uncomfortable chafing. For women, a well-fitting bikini or one-piece swimsuit works best under a wetsuit.
Underwear under your wetsuit
Wearing underwear is another option, but it’s generally not recommended. Cotton absorbs a lot of water and usually doesn’t fit tightly enough, which can cause wrinkles and discomfort.
Lycra shirts and rashguards under your wetsuit
Lycra shirts or rashguards are another alternative. They fit snugly to the body and help prevent wrinkles inside the wetsuit. Lycra is a very elastic, synthetic fiber, making these garments lightweight and durable.
Wetsuit-Guide
Which wetsuit is right for you? 5 tips for choosing the perfect one
Choose quality! Because if you buy cheap, you buy twice.
When buying a wetsuit, don’t focus only on the brand or price – what really matters is that the suit fits your surf level, how sensitive you are to cold, and the conditions you’ll be surfing in. To help you avoid common mistakes, here are our five most important tips:
1. Choose the right neoprene thickness
A common beginner mistake: the wetsuit is too thin – and after 20 minutes in the water, you're freezing. The rule of thumb is: the colder the water, the thicker your wetsuit should be.
As a rough guide:
3/2 mm for water temperatures from about 17 °C
4/3 mm for 12–17 °C
5/4 mm or thicker for cold water under 10 °C
Tip: Check the recommended temperature range and think about where you’ll be surfing most often.
2. Your wetsuit should fit like a second skin
A wetsuit only works properly when it fits tightly. It shouldn’t cut off your circulation, but it also shouldn’t bunch up – no folds under the arms or behind the knees. That’s the only way a thin layer of water can form between your skin and the neoprene, keeping you warm.
Test it: Can you move freely, paddle, and breathe deeply? Then the suit fits.
3. Zipper types: Back zip, chest zip or zip-free?
Back zip wetsuits are easier to put on, making them popular with beginners. Chest zip suits offer a tighter seal and more warmth, but are a bit trickier to get into.
For warmer conditions, front zips or even zipper-less suits are often enough – as long as you feel safe and comfortable.
4. Different brands, different fits
Not every wetsuit fits every body type – even in the same size. Some brands are tighter around the shoulders, others more relaxed around the hips. Our tip: Try on different brands before choosing. What looks right on paper needs to feel right on your body.
5. Is it worth getting your own wetsuit?
If you're just getting started, a rental suit at a surf camp is totally fine. But once you realize: “I’m sticking with this!” – getting your own wetsuit is absolutely worth it. It’s more hygienic, fits better, and is more comfortable. A solid entry-level suit costs between €100 and €200 and will last several years with proper care.
Your own wetsuit pays off after just a few sessions in the water.
That depends entirely on how often you want to surf.
If you’re a total beginner and want to try surfing for the first time, you don’t need your own wetsuit just yet. Surf schools and surf camps usually offer a wide selection of rental wetsuits – often included in the surf course.
But if you’ve already spent some time in the water, taken one or more surf lessons, and know you want to keep going, then buying your own wetsuit is definitely worth it. Depending on the location, you’ll pay between €5 and €15 per day to rent a wetsuit – so your own will pay off after just a few sessions.
Overview
What other neoprene gear is there?
Neoprene booties are a smart choice when water temperatures drop below 15 °C.
In especially cold water – or if you're sensitive to the cold – you can complement your wetsuit with booties, a hood, and gloves.
At water temperatures below 15 °C, many surfers opt for neoprene booties, since feet tend to get cold quickly. Besides keeping you warm, neoprene shoes also protect your feet from sea urchins and sharp reef edges.
If you're surfing in even colder conditions, it's time for a neoprene hood. Neoprene hoods, beanies, and caps are available as separate accessories or integrated directly into the wetsuit. At water temperatures between 10 and 12 °C, a hood becomes essential.
If the sea feels like an ice bath and the temperature is just above freezing, it’s time to put on some neoprene gloves as well.
Wetsuit - The second skin for surfers | PURE Surfcamps
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