What should you be thinking about when buying a women’s wetsuit for surfing?

There are so many wetsuits on sale in the UK, it can be mind-boggling knowing where to start.

You want one that is practical and looks awesome, as a women’s wetsuit becomes a second skin once you start surfing. It’s important you pick the right one.

Here is our ultimate guide to buying a women’s wetsuit for surfing.

WHAT THICKNESS Should A Women’s Wetsuit For Surfing Be?

The wetsuit thickness you need will depend on the conditions you’re surfing in. The colder the water; the thicker the wetsuit.

Most surfing wetsuits are made of foam neoprene to insulate your body and keep you warm. The thicker the neoprene, the more insulation it provides.

If in doubt and you’re going to be surfing in a lot of varying conditions, go for the thickest you’ll need for that area. Most people own a 5/4mm for winter and 3/2mm for summer.

Magic Seaweed has a great guide for choosing surfing wetsuit thickness, and you can check the water temperature in your area here. If you want to go super fancy, there are even battery-heated surfing wetsuits out there!

How Should My Wetsuit Fit?

A surfing wetsuit should fit snugly – not too tight that it’s uncomfortable and restricting, but not too loose or it’ll let water in and won’t keep you warm. A surfing wetsuit should let some – read, some – water in.

If there are any obvious air pockets where the wetsuit isn’t making contact with your skin, especially around the neck or torso, go down a size. Any bagginess around your underarms could cause some nasty friction.

You should be able to squat, twist, touch your toes and stretch your arms with only a bit of restriction – no matter how silly you look in the changing rooms. And do try on – different brands cut their suits differently!

WHAT WEtsuit Style Is The Best For Surfing?

Shortie, three-quarter length or full women’s wetsuit for surfing? This is all about preference.

A full women’s wetsuit will keep you warmer in cold water, while shorties are usually made with thinner material and are better for warmer weather.

‘Farmer Johns’ are sleeveless but with long legs for days when the air is warm – instead you cover your arms with a rash guard.

Back-zip wetsuits are particularly popular because they’re easy to get into. Front-zip wetsuits fit more snugly but are harder to get into – so you may want to avoid if you’re a beginner and might end up with some awkward wriggling on the beach!

As for stitching, flat-lock stitching is standard and works fine in waters that aren’t too cold, while sealed seams work in colder conditions by offering a more watertight seal.

If you’re going to surf anywhere where there’s snow on the beach – you’re going to need a surfing wetsuit with sealed and taped seams!

Which Wetsuit ACCESSORIES Are Best For Surfing?

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in cold water, then neoprene thermals may be worth investing in, while rash guards can be used in warmer weather instead of an upper wetsuit layer.

Of course there are booties, hoods and gloves if you need them!

WHERE TO BUY A Women’s Wetsuit for surfing

There are loads of great shops to buy women’s wetsuits for surfing in the UK, and you can find plenty of variety on sale at O’Neill, Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver and Roxy.

Price-wise, you’re probably looking at at least £50-150 for a good surfing wetsuit. Some are much more expensive than this, it just depends on your budget

How To Get A Wetsuit On

You’ve got your wetsuit! Now how on earth do you get it on and off?

Awkwardly, is the answer – it’s an art, and you will probably get stuck at some point.

Just try not to dig your nails in and yank it on or you might end up ripping it, and a ripped wetsuit is of no use to you.

How to Care For Your Wetsuit

Take care of your wetsuit and it’ll take care of you. If you have ripped it, you can use neoprene cement to fix it.

Don’t stuff it under your bed in a crumpled heap or it’ll be stiff and stinky when you get it out, as saltwater degrades neoprene over time.

Give it a rinse after each session, hang it on a wide plastic hanger and let it drip dry.

Now go surf and have fun in your hot new wetsuit!