Choosing your first surf wetsuit

In the article ““choosing your first surfboard”, you found the board that will accompany you during your training sessions.
However, you’re missing a key element, a surfing must-have: the wetsuit! It allows you to enjoy long training sessions in the water without freezing completely.

However, it’s important to find a wetsuit that fits you like a glove. It will act as a second skin and keep you warm without hindering your movements. Both men and women have almost identical needs regarding wetsuit requirements. If you’re hesitating between different types of wetsuits, you can head towards surf shops that rent different types of gear. This will allow you to try out different designs in the water depending on the temperature.

It is important to know your needs before choosing your gear. How long do your sessions last on average? Do you plan to surf all year or only occasionally?

The choice of an adapted wetsuit depends essentially on the temperature of the water. There are different possibilities and formats.

This wetsuit is ideal for the summer period. The 2/2 is 2mm thick on the chest, arms and legs. This suit preserves a decent temperature while being lightweight and allowing full freedom of movement. If you’re a beginner and intend on training during summer, this suit will fulfill your needs while preserving your wallet.

Depending on your cold resistance, a shorter suit may be an interesting option. These suits, nicknamed “shorty”, are ideal for the occasional surfer who chooses to only practice when the weather is nice and the water is warm. The suit is easy to put on with a good buoyancy. We recommend the shorty for waters above 20 degrees Celsius. However, cold resistance depends on the individual, and some people can settle for a full-body 2/2 with an additional lycra, even at the end of the season when the water cools down. There also exists sleeveless suits for an optimal freedom of movement. However a lycra is just as effective when coupled with a swimsuit.

The 3/2 suit is 3mm thick on the chest, and 2mm thick on the arms and legs. Similarly to a 2/2 full body wetsuit, the extra millimeter allows resistance to colder water, down to 16°C. The 2mm thickness on the arms and legs allows the wearer to have free movements.

Its strong suit is its versatility. This wetsuit is the reference for regular year-long practice. A lycra can be added underneath as well as gloves, shoes and a surf balaclava. During periods of intense heat, surfing with a lycra and swimming trunks is possible.

However, surfing during the winter may be complicated if you’re sensitive to the cold. Perhaps choosing a thicker option would be preferable.

This wetsuit is 4mm thick on the chest and 3mm on the arms and legs. Designed for colder water, down to 12°C, this wetsuit is ideal for winter surfing.

In waters of this temperature, it is very important to protect yourself with gloves and shoes. That will allow you to have longer sessions. What’s even more crucial is protecting the inside of your ears with a surf balaclava or even earplugs. Unprotected contact with cold water can lead to exostosis with time. An exostosis is a bone growth that seals the ear canal. Although it can be operated, this unpleasant experience can be avoided by wearing earplugs.

The 4/3 wetsuit is slightly less mobile due to its thickness. However, it preserves heat perfectly. For better impermeability, it is recommended to opt for a front zipper.

However, it is difficult to use this wetsuit in warmer water. During the summer, a bathing suit coupled with a lycra or a shorty are more adapted.

This neoprene wetsuit is designed for experienced surfers as this suit is suitable for cold waters. 5mm on the chest, 4mm on the arms and legs, the wetsuit includes a detachable balaclava. It is absolutely essential in this type of water.

This wetsuit takes much longer to put on, but it will protect you in water down to 7°C. Unfailing impermeability is necessary on these, so make sure that the suit is adapted to your body type, and pair it with quality gloves and shoes. It is recommended to choose high-end suits as they are generally more expensive and need to be waterproof to preserve body heat.

Of course, we’ve simply overviewed the different types of wetsuits. For your sessions, different options are available. Gloves, shoes, balaclavas and earplugs to protect yourself from the cold have already been mentioned. If you practice bodyboarding, thick neoprene shoes represent a good investment. They prevent painful inflammations caused by the flippers.

Do not forget protection gear for dangerous sports such as kite surfing or wakeboarding.

Some wetsuits have a tangle or a pocket on the inside, to store your car keys. There is the option of coded padlocks as well, that you can tie to your car. Nevertheless, these security measures are not always well perceived by insurances in the event of theft.

And finally, do not hesitate to invest in a reliable rain cape. It will be useful to change on the beach and act as a protection from the wind. During winter sessions, it is primordial to cover oneself immediately after removal of the wetsuit.

Congratulations, you finally own your dream wetsuit. It is now time to take care of it! Although surfing wetsuits are sturdy, they require good care between sessions.

First of all, you need to get rid of the salt. Rinsing the inside and outside of your wetsuit with freshwater is enough. You can also wash it with soap every now and then for a more extensive cleansing. Rinse it thoroughly and hang it.

Be careful, a wetsuit cannot be hung on a hanger like a coat would be. A wetsuit weighs a certain amount once it is full of water. If you hang it from the shoulders, the suit can loosen itself and its seams could get damaged. Instead, fold the wetsuit in two and hang it, with the hanger at the level of the pelvis. Protect it from the sun and let it dry. The sun can damage the wetsuit and affect its flexibility.
Repeated exposition to salt and sun can stiffen and discolor the wetsuit, which could lead to friction on the skin. All because of how it dried!

To start shopping for wetsuits, do not hesitate to go on our website!