Best wetsuits 2024: warm, comfortable protection in the water

A deep dive into the best wetsuits for surfing, SUPing and wild swimming

Best wetsuit 2024: Quick links

Quicksilver wetsuit

(Image credit: Quicksilver)

01. Best overall: Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex
02. Best quick-drying: O'Neill Hyperfreak
03. Best for triathlons: dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0
04. Best for SUPing: Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Chest Zip
05. Best premium: Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM
06. Best for cold water: Finisterre Nieuwland Hooded
07. Best mid-range: SRFACE Heat
08. Best budget: Olaian Surfing 4/3mm Neoprene 100
09. Best eco-friendly: Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ

Selecting the best wetsuit for your aquatic adventures is essential if you plan to spend any time in the water. Even in the warmest months of summer, the sea can chill you fast, but with a good wettie, you'll be able to hang on for that perfect wave, keep swimming for a little bit longer, or stay submerged for more time while snorkelling or freediving without getting cold and uncomfortable.

Today's best wetsuits are increasingly eco-friendly. Yesteryear's neoprene, which is made from petroleum and is not recyclable using traditional technologies, is replaced by environmentally friendly products, such as Yulex.

Plus, companies such as British pioneer Finisterre are working hard to recycle the unrecyclable through their Wetsuits From Wetsuits initiative (external link).

If you're heading to the coast, whether you're hitting the waves on a surfboard, bodyboard, or stand-up paddleboard (check our best paddle boards for beginners guide to get started) or even wild swimming, make sure you equip yourself with a quality wetsuit first.

When packing for your trip, one of the best dry bags to stash your valuables in can be a wise investment, and don't forget to take one of the best action cameras to capture your aquatic exploits. 

The best wetsuits to buy right now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review

(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Best wetsuit overall

Specifications

Material: Yulex natural rubber
Seams: double-needle blind stitch construction with AquaA Solvent-Free Glue
Thickness: 3mm body, 2mm panels on underarm and lower leg
Entry: back zip
Main use: all water activities

Reasons to buy

+
Sustainably made by a B Corp company
+
'Long' sizes available
+
Double-needle blind stitch construction for a chafe-free swimming experience
+
Premium feel

Reasons to avoid

-
Holds on to water and is, therefore, slower to dry than synthetic fabrics
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It takes a while for the material to loosen

We thoroughly enjoyed using the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. Born in Cornwall and built for rough waters, it's the perfect jack-of-all-trade wettie, ideal for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything else you might want to use it for.

As expected from a certified B-Corp company like Finisterre, the Nieuwland wetsuit is built to last from sustainable materials, including Yulex, a less harmful alternative to petroleum-based neoprene.

It's not cheap, and unless you frequently spend time in the water, it might be harder to justify the price, but we don't think casual swimmers or occasional paddle boarders would seriously consider splashing out on the Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit, anyway.

If you like spending time in open waters, in a professional capacity or otherwise, this suit is almost a must, especially if you care about the environment.

Read our full Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review.

Best quick-drying

O'Neill Hyperfreak 5/4+ wetsuitT3 Best Buy badge

(Image credit: Rich Owen)
Best quick-drying wetsuit

Specifications

Material: Technobutter 3X neoprene
Seams: glued and blindstitched
Thickness: 2, 3/2, 4/3, 5/4+mm
Entry: chest zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Unparalleled flexibility
+
Fantastically warm and comfortable
+
Super quick drying

Reasons to avoid

-
Easier to damage

When they launched in 2014, O'Neill's Hyperfreak wetsuits quickly gained a reputation for unparalleled levels of flexibility and warmth but a life span that was much shorter than conventional wetsuits. Fast forward to today, and the Hyperfreak range has evolved to become more flexible than ever but is now much more resilient than earlier iterations.

While a super-snug fit is vital if your wetsuit is to do its job correctly, it can feel restrictive if the neoprene prevents natural movements. O'Neill's Technobutter 3X branded neoprene has an amazing amount of four-way stretch that, even in the thickest varieties, enables free body movement and does not hamper paddling, pop-ups or any movements you make on the wave.

It's also relatively soft to the touch and far easier to get on and off than most front-zip wetsuits. Despite being much more robust than it used to be, Technobutter is still easier to damage than conventional neoprene, so take extra care when putting on and removing the wetsuit.

Read our full O'Neill Hyperfreak review.

Best for triathlons

dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 review

(Image credit: Sophie Higgs)
Best wetsuit for triathlons

Specifications

Material: Yamamoto 39-cell neoprene
Seams: TBC
Thickness: 3/5 mm
Entry: back zip
Main use: triathlons

Reasons to buy

+
Made from sustainably-made Yamamoto rubber
+
Available in a wide variety of sizes and fits
+
Impressive buoyancy and speed gains
+
Quick to put on and take off

Reasons to avoid

-
Be mindful of sizing
-
Less insulated than neoprene versions

The dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 is an excellent quality wetsuit for an excellent price (especially in the UK) with an excellent range of sizes. The ¾ length makes it easier to get on and off than a full-leg length suit, making it especially well-suited for triathlons. That said, open-water swimmers, SUPers, and other watersport enthusiasts would also enjoy the extra buoyancy and reduced drag.

It's not as well-insulated as standard neoprene wetties. However, it dries quickly, so it's not too heavy to carry around after you've been in the water. During testing, the buoyancy was very noticeable – definitely a strong selling point. The only downside was the confusion around the sizing, so our advice would be to use the chart, check your measurements against it but then still go up another size.

Read our full dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 review.

Best for SUPing

Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Chest Zip wetsuitT3 Approved badge

4. Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 Chest Zip

Best wetsuit for SUPing

Specifications

Material: neoprene
Seams: glued & blind stitched
Thickness: 3mm chest/2mm arms and legs
Entry: front chest zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Excellent heat-retention
+
Super stretchy

Reasons to avoid

-
Could lose shape over time

Designed with surfers and extreme water-based lunatics in mind, this suit puts particular emphasis on stretch in the areas that require it most. That means there's plenty of give under the arms to allow for easier paddling motions, while panels in the legs make it simple to pop up on a surfboard or dig deep on a SUP.

The E5 version of Flashlining is lighter than ever and features multiple layers that funnel water out of the suit quicker to keep the warmth locked in the side, where it's needed most. Better still, the fuzzy warm stuff features throughout the Flashbomb, not just the vital chest and abdomen area, so you stay ridiculously warm in the water.

We found the suit incredibly easy to get in and out of, but even a hardy front zip closure system didn't completely negate the 'flushing' sensation that occurs when cold water enters the back of the suit. However, it's a super suit, and the latest E4 neoprene is brilliantly stretchy and so easy to don while the furry lining was arguably too hot for some of the sunnier days on the water in the UK, but we're not complaining...

Best premium

Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM wetsuitT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Quicksilver)

5. Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM

Best premium wetsuit

Specifications

Material: neoprene
Seams: glued
Thickness: 1mm
Entry: zipperless shoulder
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight yet warm
+
Cutting-edge design 
+
Super stretchy

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Non-traditional design

Our pick for the best premium wetsuit is the Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM. This wettie is a bit of a badass, designed with the surfing pro in mind rather than the casual beginner.

There's a lot of innovation here, an attempt to pack the warmth of a 3mm into a 1mm, which in theory gives warmth with unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement – a 1mm suit feels like wearing Speedos in comparison to a 3 or 4mm. Hand-sculpted in Japan from only nine panels of Japanese Limestone neoprene, the Highline Pro has no stitched seams and no zipper, saving weight and removing chafing points. 

What Quicksilver has done is create two entry systems to suit regular and goofy foot surfers, the idea being to reduce water flush during wipeouts by placing the entry on the non-lead side. The result is a sub-kilo weight, 1mm suit still rated for 13-18 degree waters – although there's an emphasis on high intensity, short sessions to stay warm. That said, if you want the ultimate surfer's suit just like the pros, then this is definitely the one for you, surfing the bleeding edge of technology – there's literally nothing else out there like it. 

Best for cold water

Finisterre Women’s Nieuwland 5mm Hooded Wetsuit

(Image credit: Sian Lewis)
Best wetsuit for cold water

Specifications

Material: yulex rubber
Seams: double needle blind stitch
Thickness: 5mm
Entry: Front entry zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely quality
+
Eco-friendly yulex
+
Warm enough for winter waters

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited sizes

If you're after a women's wetsuit that'll keep out the chill in winter and which has solid eco credentials, Finisterre's Nieuwland 5mm hooded wetsuit ticks all the boxes. It's made from sustainable Yulex rubber rather than environmentally unfriendly neoprene, and it's flexible and durable with great heat-holding properties.

It'll cost you more than a similarly-specced neoprene winter suit, and it's not the easiest wetsuit to get into or out of. However, it feels good against the skin, and Finisterre says its suits become more flexible after 10-15 wears, so the more you take it out, the easier it'll be to put it on. The quality's great, and it's good and warm, complete with a hood that'll stave off brain freeze.

All in all, it's an innovative and beautifully made wetsuit that will be ideal for seasoned cold-water surfers looking to put their money where their mouth is and make a more eco-friendly purchase.

Read our full Finisterre Nieuwland 5mm Hooded Wetsuit review.

Best mid-range

SRFACE Heat wetsuit in useT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Rich Owen)
Best mid-range wetsuit

Specifications

Material: limestone neoprene
Seams: liquid sealed and neoprene taped
Thickness: 3/2, 4/3, 5/4
Entry: chest zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Flexible and warm
+
Excellent value
+
One-year guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
Unable to try before you buy

As well as having a no-quibble guarantee, SRFACE's Heat range of wetsuits is excellent value for money and can compete with higher-priced wetsuits on performance. While they're not quite as stretchy as O'Neill's Hyperfreak range, there's still a lot of give in SRFACE's Japanese limestone-derived neoprene and at no point were paddling or other body movements felt impeded by the 4/3 wetsuit tested.

Unsurprisingly, given its name, the Heat wetsuit did a great job of maintaining warmth – aided by hollow fibre insulated panels to the chest and back, with neck, arm and ankle seals to help keep flushes of cold water at bay.

Read our full SRFACE Heat wetsuit review.

Best budget

men's surfing 4/3mm neoprene wetsuit 100T3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Olaian)

8. Olaian Surfing 4/3mm Neoprene Wetsuit 100

Best budget wetsuit

Specifications

Material: neoprene
Seams: glued & blind stitched
Thickness: 4mm chest/3mm arms and legs
Entry: rear zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Wallet friendly
+
Super-warm
+
Old-school rear zip

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as high quality as pricier options

The Olaian 4/3mm wetsuit is a fantastic choice for the occasional surfer, or keen beginner looking for a warm suit. This really delivers on that promise, rated for an hour in ‘cold' water, which Decathlon defines as 12 to 17 degrees – you'll certainly be glad of a wetsuit at the lower end of this range. The 4/3mm neoprene may not have the environmental credentials of some of its peers, but it'll certainly do the job at hand. Glued and blind stitched seams, armoured knees and seamless inserts at crotch and underarms mean that comfort levels should be decent even on longer sessions too, which at this price point is more than enough. 

Best eco-friendly

Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ wetsuitT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Picture Organic)
Best eco-friendly wetsuit

Specifications

Material: solvent-free EicoPrene
Seams: glued, blindstitched and taped
Thickness: 4/3, 3/2
Entry: chest zip
Main use: surfing

Reasons to buy

+
Green credentials
+
Light and flexible
+
Quick drying

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the most robust material

If you're looking for a new summer wetsuit, the Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ utilises flexible materials that feel good and won't hamper your surfing with production methods that are far less damaging than the ones used on most rival wetsuits out there. The Equation is constructed using neoprene made from 30 per cent recycled tyres and 70 per cent limestone (extracted using sustainable energy sources) and a lining that contains recycled fishing nets which is bonded in place using solvent-free glues.

Lighter and stretchier than other wetsuits with eco-credentials from the likes of Patagonia and Finisterre, the Equation's branded neoprene (EicoPrene) feels very similar to O'Neill's Technobutter. Like the O'Neill neoprene, EicoPrene is superbly flexible too and allows for a totally unrestricted feel. A lightly fleeced, quick-drying lining covers the inside of the wetsuit to provide extra comfort and warmth. The only downside is that Equation is not as hardwearing as the other eco-friendly wetsuits, and given how much flex there is in the neoprene, it's worth trying a smaller size than your usual wetsuit.

Read our full Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ review.

How to buy the best wetsuit for you

Surfing and swimming right through a British winter used to be the kind of thing only serious diehards would contemplate, but improved wetsuit technologies now make it more than possible for everyone to enjoy aquatic adventures all year round. However, you need to select the best wetsuit for the pursuits you enjoy most often. The following are some important factors to consider.

Style

You might hear varying terminology used when it comes to wetsuit types, but the ones we've focused on in this guide are 'steamers', which trap a small amount of water between your body and the suit, and then use your body heat to warm up the liquid layer so it acts as a thermal jacket. In summer, you might be most comfortable in a 'shortie' (a wetsuit with half-length arms and legs), while winter will demand a full-length suit.

Size and fit

Most manufacturers will offer variations on the standard sizes. Long and short alternatives help cater for a variety of body shapes but every manufacturer is different. The best way to get a snug fit (that allows for plenty of movement) is to physically try on a range of suits.

Choose the suit for your activity

Wetsuits are typically designed with a specific sport or activity in mind, so your best summer surfing wetsuit isn't going to be ideal for going snorkelling in spring or taking on a SwimRun event, for example. For this reason, in the guide above, we have ranked suits based on their intended use and pointed out any additional features that we think are worthy of your attention.

Features

A wetsuit with an integrated hood is a good idea for the deepest winter, but it makes the suit less suitable for autumn or spring sessions when you’ll likely be surfing with the hood down, making the wettie more prone to flushing. As well as an integrated or separate hood, wetsuit boots and gloves are both essential winter equipment too.

Materials and environmental concerns

Neoprene is wonderful for keeping you warm in the water, but it is terrible for the environment. (It’s a petrochemical-derived fabric, is non-biodegradable, and tons of it gets thrown away every year – Finisterre estimates around 419 tons of neoprene is dumped annually in the UK alone.) More recently, innovative and eco-conscious brands such as Finisterre, Patagonia and Picture Organic have been developing and using new technology and fabrics like plant-based yule rubber and EicoPrene, which are made mostly from organic materials mixed with recycled neoprene.

Thickness

The best wetsuits come in all shapes and sizes...literally. But by far, the most important factor is the thickness of the rubber used, as this not only determines the thermal protection offered but also affects the flexibility and buoyancy of the suit.

For British summer water temperatures, a 3/2mm makes the best choice, or perhaps a 4/3mm if you feel the cold or want a wetsuit that will also do the job in spring or autumn. Alas, it's important to remember that a wetsuit allows a small amount of water to enter the garment (unlike a dry suit, which locks all water out), so there will typically be a few moments when the sharp bite of the sea is tangible.

But a good suit will stop 'flushing', or the scenario when new (and bloody cold) water enters the suit on a regular basis, which is the thing you really want to avoid. So, although appealing for their increased cosiness, once the thin layer of water has warmed via body heat, thicker suits will be cumbersome to wear and can drastically restrict movements when surfing, swimming and partaking in other cardio-intensive activities.

A 5/4mm wetsuit will be thick enough to keep the cold away during the worst of the winter. However, if you feel the cold more than most, there are several surf brands offering 6/4mm suits these days. 

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

With contributions from