SURFER's Ultimate Guide to Wetsuit Thickness

General Advice

Straight up, the best advice we can give is to go to your local surf shop to try on options and see what fits you (and your pocket) best. While the most common thickness for wetsuits is either 3/2 or 4/3, there are plenty of variations and tons of new brands that have entered the market over the past 10 years. The better the fit, the better the suit will perform, and unless you have tried on a size from that specific brand before, ordering online could result in the wrong size.

I am 5’10 and 170 pounds, and I have worn everything from a S to XL. Brands can all fit a bit differently, so drop by a surf shop to make sure you get the best fit. Honestly, go to a few surf shops because some carry boutique brands that you can't find in many places, and some may have sales that others don't. Either way, you can't go wrong by supporting a local surf shop. A word to the wise is to avoid the most "high-performance" models unless you are ok with it only lasting one season. All the big brands have their version of the "lightest, fastest, most flexible," and they typically fall apart quickly. These are usually the middle price points of the big brands. Go with an entry-level or premium level, and you should be able to milk it for 2–3 seasons.

Use Over Time + Wetsuit Care

Every suit will lose a bit of its luster over time; regrettably, some suits barely last one season before the seams start to fray and you begin to take on water. If picked correctly, you should be able to rely on it for at least two seasons, and if you take care of your suit, some will even last four or five seasons. Over time, any suit will start to let in more water than it once did; that doesn’t mean it’s not still good, but the key to making them last involves proper care.

When it comes time to remove your wetsuit, try not to pull too hard, as this can start to ruin the seams. Rather, slowly peel and roll it off, and your seams will last longer. Use a changing mat so you are not rubbing it against the concrete or gravel in the car park. Afterward, rinse your suit in fresh water after every use (if possible), and you should even give it a proper bath with fresh water and soap once a month. We recommend using Nikwax Wetsuit Refresher, Dr. Bronners, or hair conditioner (it’s what they use in Japan). 

Another big no-no is leaving your wetsuit to dry in the sun, yes, we have all done it but this causes the rubber to lose elasticity and will wear down the seams much faster. If you have to do it, don't leave it out there for long--especially if it is still salty. Give it a rinse and, if you must leave it in the sun, rotate and flip often so no one side gets scorched.

Average Winter Water Temperature Range

I’m writing from San Diego, where the water has been around 59° but feels much colder; most everyone I know is wearing their warmest suit, and booties and hoods are not uncommon. Surfline suggests a 3/2, and that may do for some—especially if it’s a new one and you’re surfing in the middle of the day. Dawn Patrol sessions have been cold, and if a long lull hits, you’ll be dreaming about getting back to the car to dry off, slip into your changing poncho, sip some more coffee from your Yeti, and then head to the nearest sauna. A quick breakdown of average winter water temperatures around the Northern Hemisphere (F°):

• Northern Baja: 50° - 60°
• San Diego: 55°- 60°
• Orange County + Los Angeles: 55 ° - 62°
• Ventura + Santa Barbara: 53° - 58°
• Santa Cruz + San Francisco: 48° - 55°
• PNW + Tofino: 42°- 49°
• New York City + New England: 38°- 50°
• Nova Scotia: 38°- 45°
• Outer Banks: 48°- 55°
• Jacksonville, FL: 56°- 62°
• Scotland: 39° - 46°
• Hossegor, France: 49° - 54°
• Peniche, Portugal: 56° - 61 °
• Mundaka, Spain: 54° - 58°
• Taghazout, Morocco: 63° - 67°

These are all fairly average numbers for each of these areas, give or take a few degrees. The thing is, the numbers don’t always tell the full story but they are still the best general guide for how to pick the right wetsuit thickness. Ultimately, each person is unique, and some of you will prefer to stay cozy with a thicker suit and compromise some mobility, and others will brave the potential chills in exchange for a lighter suit that gives them more freedom of movement.  When in doubt, get one of each and keep the warmer one for the dawn sessions and the lighter one for later in the day. One of the best things is having a dry suit to put on when you know it's cold out there.

Benefits of Multiple Suits

As you surf over a longer period of time, you start to realize to immense benefits of having multiple suits. Think of it like any other type of clothes--you wear a different jacket in January than you do in April or October. So the most obvious option is to have a winter suit and then a summer suit, but if you really want to be on top of it, you will have two winter suits. Not saying you need to go out and buy two at the same time, but if you're thinking about getting a new one, it is wise to save your old one as a backup in case your new suit is wet. There's nothing better than putting on a dry suit on a cold morning when your other suit is still wet from your last session. You can even experiment with different thicknesses; I like to keep a 4mm for the dawn patrol winter sessions, a 3mm for general winter use, and then a 3/2 and a 2mm for the spring and summer months.

Thickness and Temperature Rating

If you’ve been raised on the sweet nectar of tropical waves, the thought of cold water and a thick wetsuit could very well be the bane of your existence. If you’re from the cold and blustery North, your wetsuit is your ticket to ride. Wherever you are, being able to slip into a dry suit that keeps you warm for your whole session is what this is all about. Wetsuit technology has come so far that locations that were once considered too extreme are now fully in play—I’m looking at you: Alaska, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Scotland, and England. Sure, surfing with a 6mm wetsuit with hood, boots, and mitts is a far cry from getting drainers in the tropics with nothing but your boardshorts and maybe a hooded rashie, but surfing is surfing. 

*Note these numbers are references to millimeters of thickness, with the first number representing the thickness of the torso and core area down to the thighs and the second number referring to the limbs. Suits that are simply “3mm” or “4mm” mean they have the same thickness all around.

6/5: Thicc Daddy, Big Dog, The Insulator, You Betcha … these are all good nicknames for suits that are made for near-freezing temperatures. If you live in the far northern reaches of this planet, think Alaska, Canada, Norway, or you plan on traveling there to surf in the wintertime, this one’s for you. Not the easiest suit to get on or off but it will keep you from dying from hypothermia while you surf with penguins. Ask any Great Lakes surfer if they have a 6/5, and I guarantee they will respond with, "You Betcha!" Rated for 45°F / 7C° and below ... doncha know!  

5/4: Ho Mama, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you live and surf in a place where the water can get below 50°F, and the air gets the same way, it is a good call to have a 5/4 in your life. This will keep you warm as long as you can paddle … or until that blizzard rolls in, whichever comes first. Commonly found in New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the coldest California days, this thickness is good for all but the most extreme winter conditions. Rated for 42°– 52°F

4mm: As of recent years, some brands—like Florence, Moonsuits, Finisterre, and July–have been offering in-between thicknesses such as a full 4mm. This could be a great option for someone who gets chilly in a 4/3 but doesn’t want to be bogged down in a 5/4. Oftentimes, with these brands, you can even add a special liner to boost warmth, but we’ll get into that later. Rated for 50°–57°F

4/3: The OG winter wetsuit, the classic and time-tested 4/3. While surfers used to once complain about the stiffness and weight that comes with 4mm that’s a thing of the past as new wetsuits in this thickness can still feel pretty light and highly comfortable. If you’re used to a 3/2, adding a 4/3 is a game changer for when the water gets near 55°F or even if it’s warmer than that, but you’ve got strong offshore winds and/or cold air temperatures during dawn patrol. Rated for 50°–60°F

3mm: To be honest, the 3mm is my favorite wetsuit thickness for Southern California. I have had a few over the years, and they do me right for almost every day of the winter and still feel good when it warms up, too. I only get cold if I’m out at first light and the air is really cold. This is another suit that you could add a liner to boost warmth. Rated for 53°–62°F

3/2: May as well be called ol’ faithful because a 3/2 wetsuit is the go-to thickness for a majority of surfers throughout their year. Depending on where you live and how often you surf, the 3/2 may be the only thickness you ever need. In Southern California, a good 3/2 can get you through ~8 months of the year, but if you are one of those people who run warm, it may be all you need. Rated for 58°–67°F

2mm: Typically reserved for spring suits, think short sleeves, short johns, and jackets. These are great for when it's kind of chilly but too warm for your 3/2. That being said, there are some 2mm fullsuit options coming from brands like Florence, Isurus, and Moonsuits. Rated for 60°–70°F

1mm: If the water is above 75°, it is quite unlikely you will need anything but sun protection. If the wind comes up and the sun is obscured (and you run cold), a 1mm top could be nice.  

Patagonia + Yulex + Naural Rubber

Some years ago, Patagonia changed the game by investing in a plant-based rubber material known as Yulex. Why? Because traditional wetsuits are a pretty toxic recipe of petrochemicals and that process is best eliminated if possible. Today, they offer a range of suits that is 85% Yulex, and the feeling is comparable to traditional rubber. While the early suits were considerably stiffer than conventional suits, they have since closed the gap. This means their suits are proudly neoprene-free and far more ecological than their neoprene counterparts--converting to Yulex releases 70% less C02 emissions.

Other natural rubbers are now available across an array of brands, the main difference being that Yulex is a patented formula, that is FSC certified and meets stringent regulations. Other natural rubbers, like Ocena, are neoprene free and made from bio-based materials. It is with hope that all wetsuit manufacturers start to rapidly adapt Yulex and natural rubbers into their supply lines as part of a larger effort to help the surf industry move away from toxic materials. If you do have a neoprene suit, the best ecological thing you can do is to properly care for it and maximize it's lifespan and then recycle via one of the various wetsuit recycling programs available around the world.

Patagonia has its own thickness rating system that goes from R1–R5, with R1 being their lightest and R5 being the thickest. If you're based in Southern California, an R1 is great for the warmer months, and an R2 does well throughout the winter. If you run cold or if you live in Northern California, an R3 will be your best friend. For the PNW and New England, R4 and R5 will be your jam. Again this is all personal, my friend Erik runs so cold that he opts for an R4 in San Diego which would be overkill for me, but is perfect for him.