Don’t let the change in weather stop you from doing what you love. In the past, it was totally normal to take a break from surfing during the winter months due to freezing water temperatures. Fortunately, nowadays, we can surf all-year-round thanks to winter wetsuits.
However, with so many options on the market both online and in store, it can be hard to find the best option to suit your budget. So, we’ve done all the painstaking research for you!
Keep reading to find our top five best cold water wetsuits. We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide to walk you through the purchasing process.
Top Picks
Quicksilver Mens 4/3 mm Syncro Plus
The Quicksilver 4/3 mm Syncro Plus is a great option for winter waters. Designed with WarmFlight Far-Infrared thermal lining on the chest and back panels, the suit is able to transform body heat into infrared energy to generate and maintain heat.
Both panels also feature Vapor Stretch which also helps to retain heat and block wind.
In keeping with the latest trend in terms of wetsuit materials, the Syncro Plus is made up of 100% StretchFlight limestone-derived neoprene to keep you warm and give you optimum mobility and comfort.
So, you won’t have to worry about high winds messing up the perfect wave because this suit also combats wind.
Suitable for suggested water temperatures of 51 °F – 58 °F, although this is a guide only, this suit has got your back even in freezing waters and rough winds.
This suit features all the high-end features of a cold-water wetsuit for the best possible value. Not only does the heat retaining material keep you warm, it also repels water, so it dries quickly on the walk back up the beach.
The Syncro Plus has a liquid flex seal and a combined triple glue and blind stitched seam which partially penetrates the suit, reducing water-entry to keep you warmer for longer.
Also included are Ecto-Flex knee pads which are lightweight, flexible and super durable to protect you and your board.
Pros:
- Warmth – WarmFlight Far-Infrared thermal lining, Vapor Stretch blocks wind
- Material – 100% StretchFlight limestone-derived neoprene to keep you warm and give you optimum mobility and comfort
- Additional features – Ecto-Flex knee pads which are lightweight, flexible and super durable to protect you and your board
- Design – liquid flex seal and a combined triple glue and blind stitched seam which partially penetrates the suit, reducing water-entry to keep you warmer for longer
Cons:
- Affordability – this is a higher range option in terms of cost so wouldn’t suit lower budgets
O’Neill Reactor II 3/2 mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit
The O’Neill Reactor II 3/2 mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit is specially designed to keep you warm when hitting the waves during the winter months.
Its advanced materials feature a 360 smooth skin interior to stick close to your whole body, keeping you warm. It also includes chafe-free unfinished edges and minimal bulk design to keep it lightweight and super flexible.
Not only will it keep you warm, it’s also super comfy. With its ultra-stretchy 3 mm Ultraflex neoprene body and 2 mm sleeves and lower legs you’ll have optimum mobility.
Moreover, an ergonomic, seamless under-sleeve panel further delivers unrestricted motion and prevents rashes and discomfort.
Additionally, its Single Superseal neck provides fully adjustable closure that locks in body heat and prevents cold water from entering the suit.
Plus, the chest and back material is made up of wind resistant Smoothskin to stop strong cold winds penetrating your suit and making you colder.
It also uses the stylish old school zipper on the back design, so it’s easy to put on and remove.
Also included are Krypto Knee Padz which feature an abrasion-resistant, high stretch neoprene panel with ergonomic shaping designed to extend the life of the wetsuit and protect your knee while punching through waves.
Pros:
- Material – super stretchy neoprene body
- Seamless Paddle Zones – ergonomic, seamless under sleeve panel delivers unrestricted motion and prevents rashes
- Single SuperSeal Neck – fully adjustable closure featuring a 360 smooth skin interior, chafe-free unfinished edges, and a minimal bulk design
- Smoothskin Chest and Back – wind-resistant and heat retaining
- Krypto Knee Padz – abrasion-resistant, high stretch neoprene panel with ergonomic shaping designed to extend the life of the wetsuit and protect your knee while punching through waves
Cons:
- Zipper – some users have found the back zipper comes undone in rougher waters and on waves above 3 foot
ZCCO Ultra Stretch 3 mm Neoprene Wetsuit
A super versatile and affordable option is the ZCCO Ultra Stretch 3 mm wetsuit. Made from super flexible 3 mm thick neoprene, this suit is both sturdy and flexible for ultimate mobility.
The SmoothSkin material provides a waterstop seal at the inner collar, arms and legs to stick tightly to your skin, preventing cold water from coming in.
In terms of protection this suit comes complete with anti-abrasion knee pads to protect you and your board.
Additionally, this suit features four small zippers at the arms and legs to make putting it on and taking it off much easier than other wetsuits on the market. The suit comes in a variety of sizes to ensure the perfect snug fit for all wearers.
Pros:
- Material – made of ultra stretch 3mm neoprene
- Zippers – four small zippers at the arms and legs allow for easy removal
- Waterstop seal – SmoothSkin at the collar, arms and legs sticks tightly to your skin to block water
- Anti-abrasion knee pad – better protection for your knee and the board
- Comfort – water-blocking seal & ultra stretch material is flexible for better mobility
Cons:
- Sizing – runs small so consider sizing up when purchasing
NeopSkin 3 mm Wetsuits Women Men Long Sleeve Full Body Front Zip Wetsuit
The NeopSkin 3 mm Long Sleeve Wetsuit is a super affordable option, available in multiple sizes for both men and women. Designed with a front zipper, it’s super easy to get on and off.
Much like the more expensive suits, the NeopSkin is also made with premium stretchy neoprene. It’s also double-lined with elastic nylon fabric for extra warmth and flexibility.
The material is perfect for colder waters and is suitable for 50℉- 67℉ water temperature. It’s also super durable and protects your body from sharp objects and poisonous creatures.
In terms of comfort, this suit has got you covered. The anti-abrasion knee pads protect your knees when pushing through the waves. Additionally, the adjustable Velcro collar allows you to change the collar size to suit your comfort preferences.
With its unique sleeves and cuffs, combined with flatlock stitching, you’ll be guaranteed a snug fit at all possible entrance points to prevent water leaking in and making you cold.
The cuffs are also covered with smooth skin which sticks to your skin, further minimizing the risk of cold water getting in.
For a fraction of the price of the designer options, the NeopSkin suit is a strong contender in a saturated market.
Pros:
- Flexible – made with premium stretchy neoprene and double-lined with super elastic nylon fabric for extra flexibility
- Durable – sewed with 4-thread flatlock stitch which is strong and durable, so less likely to crack
- Unique wrists and ankles – super snug fit on wrists and ankles covered with SmoothSkin neoprene designed to stick to your skin to minimize water penetrating the suit. Plus, zips at both entrance point for perfect fit
- Adjustable neck – designed with a velcro collar that is adjustable for comfort and to ensure the right fit to prevent cold water getting in
- Anti-abrasion knee pad – better protection for your knee and the board
Cons:
- Sizing – consider sizing up if your body type is slightly more squat
Learn more here about surfer body type.
Billabong 5/4 mm Absolute Full suit with Bibbed Hood
The Billabong 5/4 mm Absolute Full suit with Bibbed Hood is the ultimate winter suit. Complete with a full bibbed hood, you could even hit the waves on a snow-covered beach.
Be prepared for serious comfort and warmth from head to toe. Featuring 100% premium AX2 SuperFlex, super-stretch neoprene material, it is amazing in terms of flexibility in the water.
With super durable sealed seams and a new water-resistant zipper no cold water should be able to penetrate this suit. The chest also features the ultra lightweight Hollow Yarn thermal lining, which lines the inner layer of the suit with a thermal poly fleece – super warm!
The lining also wicks moisture from skin and is quick drying, so the walk back to the car won’t be so cold and wet.
To make it even more comfortable, this suit also comes complete with a chafe-resistant collar, adjustable neck and a wind-resistant mesh covering the chest and back panels to protect from nasty winds.
Also included are an internal key loop to keep your keys safe and dry, durable knee pads. Plus, the included hood is actually detachable making it perfect for use all year round.
Pros:
- Warmth – bibbed hood to protect your head, fleece lining for extra warmth, wind-resistant mesh on chest and back
- Comfort – knee pads, chafe-resistant collar, adjustable neck
- Additional features – internal key loop, detachable hood
- Flexibility – 100% Stretch premium AX2 SuperFlex neoprene for maximum flexibility in the water
- Design – Sealed seams for extra water resistance, full Back Zipper for easy removal
Cons:
- Sizing – Billabong suits tend to run small so consider sizing up
Buyer’s Guide
Finding the right cold water wetsuit to keep you warm, comfortable and protected is no plain sailing. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the suit for you.
The quality of the suit will depend on your budget, but that’s not to say there isn’t a good quality winter wetsuit out there for all budgets, you just need to do the research. We know, yawn! So, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide to take you through your search.
Winter wetsuit
First things first, you need to be looking at ‘winter wetsuits’. A winter wetsuit is basically a thicker wetsuit with waterproof seams and thermal lining, designed to keep you warm in colder waters.
Thanks to thicker materials and heat retention technology, winter surfing is now super common. A good-quality winter wetsuit is imperative if you want to last more than 10 minutes out on the waves before catching hypothermia!
Thickness
Most wetsuits are made of a material called neoprene. The material utilizes tiny bubbles that trap air inside the suit to keep you warm.
Choosing the thickness of your neoprene wetsuit all depends on what temperature waters you plan to surf in which is often determined by where you are in the world and what time of year it is.
The thickness of a winter wetsuit will range from 4 mm to as thick as 7 mm, depending on the water temperature you intend to surf in.
Wetsuits always come with a measurement in millimeters which refers to the neoprene skin and the numbers can vary from 2 mm up to 7 mm. So, the thicker the neoprene skin, the warmer you’ll be and the colder waters you’ll be able to tackle.
Your average wetsuit will be around a 3/2 mm although for summer surfing you could get away with a 2 or 3 mm suit. So, for colder waters and winter surfing you’ll need at least a 4/3 mm wetsuit.
It all depends on how cold the water temperature is though, and you may require an even thicker suit in certain parts of the world like northern Europe where the water is cold even during the summer months.
To understand the measurements, for a suit labelled 4/3 mm, for example, the first number refers to the thickness around your torso and the second number indicates the thickness around your legs and arms.
The second number will always be lower because you need your wetsuit to be more flexible in these areas.
Hood
A lot of high quality or designer winter wetsuits will come with a detachable hood. This is because we lose a lot of heat from our heads, particularly in freezing temperatures.
So, keeping our heads warm will have a huge impact on how well we deal with winter waters and allow us to stay out for longer. Plus, a hood will help to prevent wind from smacking your ears and causing issues, which is an issue even in warmer weather.
The best hood option for retaining heat is a neoprene hood. You don’t have to find a winter wetsuit that comes with a hood because you can purchase one separately, so you can still go for your preferred brand or style without compromising on warmth.
That being said, wetsuits that come with built-in hoods are obviously going to have a better seal and prevent cold water getting to your neck whereas with a separate hood there will be a small gap, so that’s something to consider when purchasing your winter suit.
Flexibility
While keeping warm is the most important thing to consider, you need your winter wetsuit to be a flexible as possible too to give you proper range of motion.
Good-quality winter wetsuits will be made of ultra stretchy material such as 100% Stretch premium AX2 SuperFlex neoprene.
This is super important because maintaining optimum mobility in your arms and legs will enable you to stay in control when on the board and help keep you safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness wetsuit should I buy?
The thickness of your wetsuit will depend on the temperature you plan to surf in. Most wetsuits are made of a material called neoprene. The material utilizes tiny bubbles that trap air inside the suit to keep you warm.
Wetsuits always come with a measurement in millimeters which refers to the neoprene skin and the numbers can vary from 2 mm to over 5 mm. So, the thicker the neoprene skin, the warmer you’ll be and the colder waters you’ll be able to tackle.
Your average wetsuit will be around a 3/2 mm although for summer surfing you could get away with a 2 or 3 mm suit. So, for colder waters and winter surfing you’ll need at least a 4/3 mm wetsuit.
It all depends on how cold the water temperature is though, and you may require an even thicker suit.
What is a winter wetsuit?
There are many different types of wetsuits to cater to a number of weather conditions and activities. What makes a wetsuit a ‘winter wetsuit’ is normally the thickness of the neoprene skin which is the material it’s made from.
The type of wetsuit you wear can have a huge impact on the success of your session out on the waves.
Winter wetsuits will typically be full body, covering your entire body, and will often come with a detachable hood to keep your head warm. You can even purchase wetsuit socks for added protection.
A winter wetsuit will also be much thicker than other options and will be measures in millimeters. An average grade winter wetsuit will be around 4/3 mm in thickness.