Buying Guides
Surfing Wetsuits
A Brief History Of The Surfing Wetsuit
Neoprene wetsuits were first invented in the USA during the mid 1950's. O'Neill, founded by Jack O'Neill in Santa Cruz and Bodyglove formed by Bob and Bill Meistrell in Manhattan Beach California, were two of the original water sports companies to design and manufacture neoprene suits for surfers and divers.
In the great year of 1969 Rip Curl, formed by Doug "Claw" Warbrick and Brian "Sing Ding" Singer, arrived on the surfing scene in Torquay, Australia. Their aim was to develop the ultimate surfing wetsuit for cold sea water conditions. This was to evolve through research and close interaction with surfers in their quest to find the ultimate wave. The Search had begun.
Over the decades surfing has evolved into an extremely popular sport and surfers are a common sight upon beaches around the world. In the modern day, Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver, O'Neill, Bodyglove, Xcel and many more water sports companies now produce 'wetties' with the needs of surfers specifically in mind. Neoprene technology and advanced manufacturing processes have increased their efficiency and we can now surf in cold ocean waters for much longer periods of time.
Basic Principles When Choosing A Surf Wetsuit
If you are about to buy a surf wetsuit the most important things that you need to think about are the location and the time of year you will be surfing. These are the prime factors due to the temperature of the sea. This will determine the thickness and style of the wetsuit required to keep you warm in the water.
The thickness of a suit is shown by 2 numbers separated by a '/' or '0'. The first number (shown on the left) is the thickness of the wetsuit in millimetres (mm) that covers the torso. The second number (shown on the right) is the thickness in mm for your limbs (arms and legs). The wettie is thinner on the arms and legs because of the movement required when surfing, for the paddling motion, etc. The number on the right is generally smaller, unless it's a 2/2 suit (also called a spring suit) for warm water.
When we discuss the particular style of a wetsuit we are referring to the length of the suit's arms and legs. Full length (also referred to as a steamer) is a suit with long sleeved arms and legs. A spring suit (sometimes called a shorty) has short sleeve arms and short length legs (above the knee joint). There are also variations on these styles; a SS full length (short sleeves with long legs), or an LS spring suit (long arms and short legs).
The general rules of thumb when deciding upon the type of wetsuit you want to purchase should be as follows:
- 4/3 or 3/2 Full Length Wetsuit (Steamer)
This type of wettie is suitable if you are planning to surf from spring to late autumn at the UK's Southern beaches, for example: Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and South Wales. This would be suitable for water temperatures of approximately 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) to 17 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit).
- 5/4, 6/4, or 7/5 Full Length Wetsuit (Steamer)
This variety of steamer is best if you are going to be surfing in ocean temperatures of approximately 9 degrees Celsius (47 degrees Fahrenheit) and below. These will be well suited to beaches further North on the UK coast line where water temperatures are much cooler, or on Southern beaches during the Winter and early Spring. You will also need to consider buying boots, gloves and a hood. A good swell is of no use if you are suffering from hypothermia!
- 2/2 Spring Suit (Shorty) or SS Full Length
The 2/2 LS or SS spring suit or SS Full Length (short sleeves and long legs) should be considered if you need to buy a wetsuit primarily for surfing in warm ocean temperatures. Ideal for use in Cornwall or Devon during the height of summer, or early autumn when the sea has been heated up by the sun and warm ocean currents. This style is well suited to warmer watered climates such as the South West coast of France (Hossegor, Lacanau, Biarritz, etc). It is important that you ensure the water temperatures are not too cold, otherwise it will decrease the amount of time you can spend surfing. Great wave conditions with numb arms or legs will leave you cursing.
The table below also outlines these basic principles. Please note that these are only recommendations.
| Water Temperature (Fahrenheit) |
Water Temperature (Celsius) |
Recommended Surf Wetsuit |
| 74 plus |
23 plus |
Boardies, Surf Tees, Rash Vest / Rashie |
| 69 - 73 |
21 - 23 |
Boardies, 0.5mm Rash Vest \ Rashie, 1mm to 2mm Jacket \ Hotskin |
| 65 - 69 |
18 - 21 |
2\2 Spring Suit \ Shorty |
| 62 - 64 |
17 - 18 |
2/2 SS Full Length Wetsuit , 2/2 LS Spring Suit |
| 58 - 61 |
14 - 17 |
3/2 Full Length Wetsuit |
| 54 - 57 |
12 - 14 |
3/2 or 4/3 Full Length Wetsuit |
| 50 - 53 |
10 - 12 |
4/3 Full Length Wetsuit, 2mm hood, 3mm boot and gloves |
| 47 - 49 |
8 - 9 |
5/3 Full Length Wetsuit with hood, 5mm boot and gloves |
The Ideal Fitting Of A Wetsuit
Now that you know the shape and thickness of the wettie required, you also need to ensure that you have the correct fit. A surf wetsuit needs a close fit in order to hug all the contours of your body - be prepared for all the bulges from over indulging to be on display! Neoprene does stretch more when wet but if it's tight to the point of being uncomfortable and restricting your movement then it's too small.
Wearing a pair of boardies under a wetsuit is not recommended. It can get extremely uncomfortable as they ride up inside your wettie! Going nude or wearing a pair of speedos beneath your wetsuit is the best idea. Girls can also wear a bikini.
The table below is a size guide for choosing the right wetsuit. If you have any queries then please feel free to contact a member of our dedicated Customer Services Team on 01634 668423.
MEN (Billabong, Rip Curl etc)
| Billabong Size |
Feet |
Pounds |
Centimetres |
Kilograms |
| XS |
5′ 7″ - 5′ 9″ |
125 - 140 |
170 - 175 |
57 - 64 |
| S |
5′ 8″ - 5′ 10″ |
135 - 155 |
173 - 178 |
61 - 70 |
| MS |
5′ 7″ - 5′ 9″ |
140 - 160 |
169 - 175 |
64 - 73 |
| M |
5′ 9″ - 5′ 11″ |
150 - 170 |
175 - 180 |
68 - 77 |
| MT |
5′ 11″ - 6′ 2″ |
160 - 180 |
180 - 188 |
73 - 82 |
| LS |
5′ 8″ - 5′ 10″ |
160 - 180 |
173 - 178 |
73 - 82 |
| L |
5′ 10″ - 6′ 0″ |
170 - 190 |
178 - 183 |
77 - 86 |
| LT |
6′ 1″ - 6′ 3″ |
180 - 200 |
185 - 191 |
82 - 91 |
| XLS |
5′ 9″ - 5′ 11″ |
180 - 200 |
175 - 180 |
82 - 91 |
| XL |
5′ 11″ - 6′ 1″ |
190 - 210 |
180 - 185 |
86 - 95 |
BILLABONG WOMEN
| Billabong Size |
Feet |
Pounds |
Centimetres |
Kilograms |
| 2 |
5′ 1″ - 5′ 2" |
110 - 120 |
155 - 160 |
50 - 54 |
| 4 |
5′ 3 - 5′ 4″ |
105 - 125 |
160 - 164 |
48 - 57 |
| 6 |
5′ 5″ - 5′ 6″ |
110 - 130 |
165 - 168 |
41 - 59 |
| 8 |
5′ 7″ - 5′ 8″ |
120 - 140 |
170 - 173 |
54 - 64 |
| 10 |
5′ 9″ - 5′ 10″ |
130 - 150 |
175 - 178 |
59 - 68 |
RIP CURL WOMEN
| Rip Curl Size |
Feet |
Pounds |
Centimetres |
Kilograms |
| 6 |
5′ 0″ - 5′ 2″ |
105 - 125 |
152 - 160 |
48 - 57 |
| 8 |
5′ 3″ - 5′ 4″ |
110 - 130 |
160 - 164 |
50 - 59 |
| 10 |
5′ 5″ - 5′ 6″ |
120 - 130 |
165 - 168 |
54 - 64 |
| 12 |
5′ 7″ - 5′ 8″ |
130 - 150 |
170 - 173 |
59 - 68 |