Wetsuit Guide for Paddling and Surfing

Learning how to choose the right wetsuit will keep you warmer, more comfortable, and allow you to spend more time having fun on the water.

A good wetsuit can turn your paddling season from a few months into a year-round activity. But with so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—or worse, buy the wrong suit and have to return it.

Below are some tips and tools to help you make the right choice.

Wetsuit Myths

“Wetsuits are wet.”
Not always! Modern full surfing wetsuits from leading brands (usually $200+) are seam-sealed and designed to keep water out—functioning more like a drysuit. The name is outdated.
“Wetsuits leak right away.”
Over time, seams wear down and tiny leaks develop. When that happens, your body heat warms a thin layer of water inside the suit. This is still effective, and most wetsuits hold up well for 1.5–2 years with heavy use. (I paddle SUP and surf ski year-round in saltwater, and mine last about that long.)
“Wetsuits don’t block wind.”
Neoprene is naturally windproof. While drysuit fans often argue wetsuits perform poorly in windy conditions, the truth is they cut the wind just fine.
“Any wetsuit will do.”
Kayak shops often sell Farmer John/Jane armless wetsuits. These require layering with fleece underneath and a waterproof top over. That’s fine for light use or skilled paddlers with a reliable roll or who may not swim often, but for most people, a full seam-sealed wetsuit from a surf shop offers far more warmth, dryness and protection.

Photo: Rob surfing the Washington Coast

My beautiful picture

Where to Start

Ask yourself these three questions:

What activity will you be doing?
Surfing, SUP, or kayaking? Your sport determines the flexibility and coverage you need.
What water temperatures or seasonal range will you encounter?
This helps determine the thickness.
What’s your budget?
Wetsuits range from $150–$600, depending on brand, thickness, and features.

Photo: Rob Surfing the Washington coast on a surf ski

Wetsuit Thickness Explained

Water temperature is the most important factor. Here’s a breakdown:

4/3mm – 4mm in chest/legs, 3mm in arms. A good balance of warmth and mobility.
5/4/3mm – 5mm chest, 4mm legs, 3mm arms.
5/4mm – 5mm chest, 4mm arms/legs. Often too stiff in shoulders for paddling.
5/3mm – 5mm chest/legs, 3mm arms.
6/5mm – For frigid water. Some include battery-powered heaters.

💡 Tip for paddlers: Choose suits with no more than 4mm in the arms for shoulder flexibility. Definitely try before you buy as everyone’s arm and shoulder lengths are different.

Wetsuits for Different Conditions

Neoprene Top + Bottom (2-piece)
Ideal for flatwater paddling in temps above 50°F with minimal waves or wind.
Recommended brands: NRS, Vaikobi, Mocke
Farmer John/Jane (armless wetsuit)
Works alone or with a neoprene jacket or splash top for slightly colder conditions. Common in kayak schools and rentals.
Wetsuit Pants – Neorepene pants for racing or paddling where swimming may not happen often. Good gear from NRS and Vaikobi.
Shorty Wetsuit
Sleeveless and legless. Best for slightly cool temps.
Spring Suit
Usually 3/2mm. Designed for mild conditions, often with short sleeves or sleeveless.
Full Wetsuit
4/3mm–6mm. Fully enclosed suit with or without a hood. Ideal for water 60°F and below. Cost: $150–$600. High-quality full wetsuits are seam-sealed and often nearly dry.

Wetsuit vs. Drysuit: Which Should You Choose?

Feature	Wetsuit	Drysuit
How it Works	Insulating neoprene traps a thin layer of water (or none if seam-sealed) that your body warms.	Waterproof shell keeps water out; warmth comes from insulation layers underneath.
Warmth	Excellent, especially in cold water immersion. Best if you expect to swim.	Excellent if paired with the right insulation. Keeps you dry but not always warm without layers.
Comfort in Water	Flexible and swim-friendly—ideal if you fall in often.	Baggy fit; swimming is awkward and heavy.
Wind Protection	Neoprene is naturally windproof, though extreme windchill can penetrate.	Fully windproof if sealed, though sweating can be an issue.
Durability	Small holes only leak locally; still functional.	One tear or gasket failure can compromise the whole suit.
Maintenance	Rinse and hang dry. Lasts ~1.5–2 years with heavy use.	Requires gasket care; latex seals can tear and need replacement.
Cost	$125–$650	$400–$1,200+
Best For	SUP, surf ski, surf, or any activity where you’ll be in/out of the water often.	Kayaking, canoeing, or colder paddling where you expect to stay mostly in the boat.
Cons	No pee zipper; hot on warm days; bulky above 4mm in arms.	Bulky feel; not 100% dry due to sweat; tricky repairs on trips.

Drysuit
Made from nylon, Gore-Tex, or similar fabric. Worn over insulating layers, sealed at the neck, wrists, and sometimes feet with latex or neoprene gaskets. Popular among kayakers. Often includes a relief (pee) zipper.
Cost: $400–$1,600. Brands: Kokatat, NRS, Stohlquist, SUPSkin, Mustang/Ocean Rodeo

Wetsuit Entry Systems

Full Wetsuit Designs

Hooded with Chest Zip – Enter from the top, pull the hooded flap over your head, and secure with the chest zip.
Back Zip (no hood) – Look for a suit with an internal “dam,” which prevents cold water from flushing through the zipper.
No Back Zip (no hood) – Top-entry, usually with a flap that zips across the chest.
Top Entry / No Back Zip – Drier than back-zips since there’s no leaky zipper. Some feature removable shoulder panels or zip-off hoods.

Downside: top-entry suits can be tough to get into if you have sore shoulders, limited flexibility, or injuries. Wearing a rash guard underneath helps the suit slide on/off more easily.

Photo Below: Hooded and fleece lined RipCurl Dawn Patrol 5/4mm wetsuit (inside out)..

My Favorite Wetsuits

Fall–Winter Suits

RipCurl FlashBomb 5/4mm (top-entry, hooded, seam-sealed, fleece-lined): My go-to for several years. Warm and reliable.
O’Neill Hyperfreak 5.5/4.5mm: New favorite this season. Performs well even on 30°F days. Slightly more wind-resistant than the FlashBomb, with a hood that fits better across the forehead. Designed for easy entry, and it really does slide on smooth

Summer Suit

RipCurl Dawn Patrol 4/3mm (back zip, hoodless): Includes a “dam” and fleece lining in the chest/back. Perfect for SUP and surf ski sessions in warmer weather. On colder days, I add a hooded vest for extra warmth.

Attached Wetsuit Hood or Not?

If you paddle or surf in cold water, a hood will keep the water from flushing down your neck, even if pushed off around your neck. In super cold water you’ll get pretty cold without a hood.

Detachable hood options are good or a separate hood (pictured) if you’re not sure about temps.

If you don’t get an attached hood, look into the NRS Storm Cap which is wind proof and fleece lined. Very toasty! Or a hooded vest.

NRS Storm Cap

Layering Clothing on Under or Over..

Add warmth to your wetsuit especially if you have a 3/2mm or 4/3mm by adding a non-cotton rash guard or similar thermal top (no collar). Adding a Splash Jacket or hooded vest (photo) over the suit can really help cut wind chill and keep in warmth.

Paddling jackets also help too. I’ve been using jackets from NRS and Season5.

Neoprene shorts can help boost heat under your suit. And helpful for sit on top kayakers and surf skiers with bucket seats.

Hooded Vests like the Ripcurl Hooded Vest can go over your wetsuit giving you a toasty hood and will keep water out. Or it can be worn alone in warmer seasons or waters.

Photo: Rob wearing wetsuit pants, a rashguard top and Vaikobi PFD.

More Tips:

Try before you buy. I just had a student return a suit which didn’t fit which he bought online. Everyone’s body is different so what works for one may not fit for another.

Neoprene tends to run small. I wear a XL shirt but have to wear a XXL suit. Same goes with booties. Check suit reviews if the size chart isn’t clear.

Wash regularly. I wash mine every other use. Soak in very hot or cold water with a non detergent soap or wetsuit soap from Dawn or GearAid. Rinse and hang dry. I have a floor heater to bake my basement bathroom. Dry inside out, then the outside. See my blog post on cleaning and drying wetsuits.

Life of a Wetsuit

I’m not good with taking care of things and I paddle often in saltwater. So my suits are in their best condition for only a year. Friends who paddle only on weekends and/or only a few times a month or seasonally can have suits last for a few years or longer. First things to go are the seams. I also get neoprene tears which create leaks.

Increase the life of your suit and prevent smelly neoprene with regular cleaning in soap and fresh water which will greatly increase the life of your suit. See my post on wetsuit cleaning “Stop the Stink.”

You can fix your own with various neoprene glues but I send my rental suits in bunch after my working season to ProMotion Hood River, Oregon. They’re cheap, do an amazing job and have very quick turn a round.

Environmental Materials

Brands are saturating the marketplace with terms such as sustainable, green and organic. If you’re worried about all this rubber

being in the environment, worry no more. Most brands now boast about limestone or charcoal neoprene and the like. Patagonia’s suits are described as “the post consumer recycled polyester jersey increases durability while minimizing environmental impact.. TreeHugger has a good article on the subject of green wetsuits, Here.

Popular Wetsuit Brand that I Recommend

Patagonia, O’Neill, Ripcurl, Xcel, O’Neill, NRS among others.

How to Choose a Wetsuit