Shopping for wetsuits can get confusing fast.
You’ll see a wall of model names, three different price tiers, two zipper styles, and a bunch of words about stretch, lining, and “thermal panels.”
It doesn’t need to be that complicated.
Most of the time, it comes down to where you surf, how cold the water gets, and how often you paddle out.
Start With Water Temperature
Air temperature doesn’t matter much. Water temperature does.
As a rough guide:
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62° and up → 2/2 or spring suit
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56–62° → 3/2 full suit
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50–56° → 4/3 full suit
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Below 50° → 4/3 with a hood (sometimes boots and gloves too)
If you’re on the fence, choose based on the coldest water you regularly surf — not the best day of the year.
Warmth vs. Flexibility
There’s always a tradeoff.
Thicker neoprene keeps you warmer.
Thinner neoprene allows for more flexibility when you paddle.
If you tend to run cold, lean warmer.
If you hate feeling restricted, lean flexible.
Most surfers are somewhere in between.
Front Zip or Back Zip
This one gets debated more than it needs to.
Back zip
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Easier to get in and out
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Slightly less sealed
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Totally fine for most surfers
Front (chest) zip
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Warmer
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Less water entry
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A little more effort to put on
If you surf often, chest zip makes sense.
If you want simple and easy, back zip works.
Neither is “right.” It just depends on how you surf.
Choosing Price vs. Value
Most brands have three tiers:
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Basic
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Mid-range
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Premium
The difference is usually materials and seam construction.
If you surf occasionally, the basic option will work.
If you surf every week, spending more starts to make sense — mostly for comfort and durability.
It’s not magic. It’s just better materials.
A Practical Shortcut
If you surf:
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Southern California year-round → 3/2 is your everyday suit
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Northern California → 4/3 most of the year
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Summer only → 2/2 or a spring suit
I surf a 3mm wetsuit year-round in Southern California, but if you’re unsure, err slightly warmer.
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