What Wetsuit Do I Need for Surfing?
Published January 1, 2025SurfSpotGuide Editorial
Choosing the right wetsuit comes down to one thing: water temperature. Get the thickness wrong and you will either overheat or freeze. This guide tells you exactly what to wear for every condition — and whether you even need one at all.
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Wetsuit Thickness by Water Temperature
Use this quick-reference table to pick the right wetsuit for your destination and season.
Types of Wetsuits
How a Wetsuit Should Fit
A wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and your skin. Your body heats that water, creating insulation. For this to work, the suit must fit snugly.
- ✓Snug but not restricting — you should be able to raise both arms overhead without pulling.
- ✓No large air pockets or baggy sections, especially at the knees and armpits.
- ✓The neck and wrists should seal against your skin without cutting off circulation.
- ✓If you can slide more than two fingers under the neck easily, the suit is too big.
- ✓A small amount of water entering is fine — it warms up. Flushing means the suit is too loose.
Wetsuit Care Tips
- ✓Rinse in fresh cold water after every session to remove salt, sand, and bacteria.
- ✓Dry in the shade — UV radiation degrades neoprene quickly.
- ✓Store flat or loosely folded. Never hang by the shoulders long-term.
- ✓Do not use hot water, washing machines, or tumble dryers.
- ✓Use a proper wetsuit hanger (wide, not a narrow clothes hanger) for short-term storage.
- ✓Turn the suit inside out to dry the inside layer first, then flip to dry the outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness wetsuit do I need for surfing?
Wetsuit thickness is expressed as two numbers (e.g. 3/2mm). The first number is the torso thickness; the second is the limbs. Use 2mm or a rashguard for water above 72°F, a 3/2mm for 60–72°F, a 4/3mm for 50–60°F, and a 5/4mm with a hood for water below 50°F.
Should I buy or rent a wetsuit for surf lessons?
Rent first. Most surf schools include a wetsuit in the lesson price. Once you are surfing regularly (more than 10 sessions a year), buying your own becomes cost-effective and you get a better fit.
How should a wetsuit fit?
A wetsuit should feel snug everywhere with no large air pockets, but you should be able to move your arms and legs freely. A small amount of water enters and warms up against your skin — that is normal. If water flushes in and out freely, the suit is too big.
Do I need a wetsuit in Hawaii or Florida?
Usually not in summer. Hawaii water stays above 76°F year-round — most surfers wear boardshorts or a rashguard. Florida summer water is 80–86°F. A lightweight 2mm shorty is optional. In winter, a 2–3mm suit may be needed in Florida.
How do I care for a wetsuit?
Rinse in fresh cold water after every session, hang to dry in the shade (UV degrades neoprene), and store flat or folded carefully — do not hang by the shoulders as it stretches the neck. Avoid hot water, washing machines, and direct sunlight.
Find Surf Schools That Include a Wetsuit
Most surf schools include board and wetsuit in their lesson price. Find one near you.
Find Surf Lessons Near YouMore Surf Guides
// Free Gear Checklist
Don't buy the wrong gear.
Our free Beginner's Surf Guide has the exact gear checklist — what to buy first, what to skip, and how to pick a board and wetsuit that won't hold you back. Free, instant.
No spam · Instant delivery · Unsubscribe anytime