It’s time to think about a lighter and more flexible wetsuit for summer.
Choosing the right wetsuit can make all the difference to your surf session. Our guide highlights the suits that get you ready to make the most of the waves – whatever your budget.
Summer Wetsuit Guide: Rip Curl
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Rip Curl Steph Gilmore G-Bomb 1.5mm Springsuit
Cover up while staying free. This iconic Stephanie Gilmore LS Springsuit adds a little retro flare to your surf game, with the signature style of the greatest woman to ever pull on a wetsuit. E5 stretch, natural-rubber based foam and a recycled jersey lining keep you warm, while offering flexibility in all the right places.
Sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14
RRP: 1.5mm £114.99
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2 Chest Zip Wetsuit
The Dawn Patrol Chest Zip GB Wetsuit provides exceptional stretch and warmth, featuring E5 Natural Rubber based foam, Flashdry and Thermo lining, sealed seams, and an internal key pocket. Perfect for a blend of performance and sustainability.
Sizes: 4, 6, 6T, 8, 10, 12, 14
RRP: 4/3mm £269.99, 3/2mm £259.99
Rip Curl E-Bomb 3/2 Zip Free Steamer Wetsuit
Slip into this zip-free steamer built with 100% Natural Rubber based foam, GBS seams, sealed cuffs, and a handy external key pocket. Featuring E7 and E6 thermo lining for ultimate performance, warmth and comfort with 100% internally taped seams.
Sizes: 4, 6, 6T, 8, 8T, 10, 10T, 12, 14, 16
RRP: 4/3mm £314.99, 3/2mm £304.99
Summer Wetsuit Guide: O'Neill
O’Neill HyperFreak Fire
The HyperFreak Fire is the ultimate in fiery warmth, extending sessions in bone-chilling water with next-gen TB4 Firewall neoprene, featuring graphene-infused, heat-retaining, durable fibres. Fluid Seam Welds and Fused Super Seal Cuffs ensure a watertight seal. TB4 and TB4X materials continue the HyperFreak legacy of unrivalled flexibility, warmth, and comfort.
RRP: 3/2+mm £349.95, 4/3+mm £359.95
O’Neill HyperFreak Plus
The HyperFreak Plus (chest zip) is constructed with our exclusive super light Recycled TechnoButter 3 and TB3X neoprenes. We added 0.5mm material as a step-up in warmth from the HyperFreak Comp. Our minimal seam design, lightweight, quality construction, and attention to detail make this suit the most versatile HyperFreak in our line.
RRP: 3/2+mm £299.95, 4/3+mm £249.95
O’Neill O’Riginal RG8
The next generation of the O’Neill RG8 legacy, first launched in 2010. ‘Regenerate’ stands for high-performance stretch and quality made with better sustainable materials for our planet and ocean. Featuring a balanced performance of warmth and flex from our RG8 Firewall and RG8 UltraFlex recycled fibre liners fused with water-based lamination to a YULEX® FOAM core, an FSC-Certified Natural Rubber.
RRP: 3/2+mm £249.95, 4/3+mm £259.95
Summer Wetsuit Guide: C-Skins
C-Skins NuWave ReWired Chest Zip
The NuWave ReWired with GBS and neo-taped seams is constructed using insanely stretchy NuWave natural rubber combined with super warm Halo X2 recycled linings. The compromise between performance and sustainability is no more. Featuring our exclusive Dark Matter chest panel, minimal seam design, Iris 3 inner closure and Enigma 3 chest entry with single cinch, the lightweight, quality construction and attention to detail make the ReWired a team-inspired favourite.
RRP: 4/3mm £310
C-Skins NuWave Solace Chest Zip
The NuWave Solace is built to keep you warm and free in the water while reducing environmental impact. Made with super-stretchy NuWave natural rubber and GBS seams, it offers next-level flexibility without compromising durability. Featuring our dynamic multilayered Halo X2 technology, this suit locks in warmth and comfort, so you can push harder in all conditions. The Solace delivers a premium fit with eco-friendly credentials, striking the perfect balance between performance, style and sustainability.
RRP: 3/2mm £220, 4/3mm £230
C-Skins NuWave Surflite Back Zip
The NuWave Surflite is made entirely from our premium, super-stretchy NuWave natural rubber for full-body flexibility and an improved fit. It still hits an accessible price point and features our high-end Dark Matter chest panel for added wind resistance and paddling comfort, along with pre-bent Recycled Dura Flex knee pads, a Super Seal Glideskin Collar and fully glued and blindstitched seams. For versatility, value and all-round performance, the NuWave Surflite stands apart.
RRP: 3/2mm £160, 4/3mm £170
Summer Wetsuit Guide: Simpel
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Simpel Women’s 2/2mm Short
Leg Wetsuit Built for warm water and sunny surf days, the Simpel Women’s 2/2mm Short Leg offers lightweight flexibility and a clean, comfortable fit. Made from premium Yamamoto rubber, and recycled super-stretch laminates, the suit moves naturally in the water while maintaining dependable durability.
RRP: 2/2mm £175
Billabong 4/3mm Furnace Natural Chest Zip
The best wetsuit for warmth, flexibility, and sustainability. Made from 100% upcycled materials and a natural rubber blend (85% natural, neoprene-free), it delivers high performance while being eco-friendly. Graphene-infused lining heats up fast and holds warmth longer, while AIRLITE 4D fabric gives 20% more stretch. Power-welded exterior seams and super-flex taped interior seams keep water out, with a recycled PET jersey liner adding a green touch. The ultimate choice for staying warm, mobile, and confident in every session.
RRP: 4/3mm £360
Tips for buying a wetsuit
As the brands continue to push wetsuit technology – refining materials and panel designs to deliver an impressive balance of warmth, flexibility and durability – it’s important to make the right choice with your purchase.
1. Prioritise fit
The most important factor in any wetsuit is fit. A wetsuit should feel snug against your body without restricting movement. If it’s too loose, water will flush through it. If it’s too tight, it can restrict your paddling and reduce the length of your session.
2. Choose the right thickness
For spring conditions, 4/3mm is a good transitional wetsuit, going down to 3/2mm once the water really starts to warm up. In midsummer you can drop to a 2/2mm, which still provides warmth while maximising flexibility.
3. Look for flexibility
These days wetsuits use ultra-stretch materials designed to reduce shoulder fatigue when paddling. Flexible panels around the shoulders and arms are especially important if you plan on spending long sessions in the water.
4. Consider seam construction
Seams affect both durability and comfort. Look for high-quality suits with glued and blind-stitched seams or taped seams, to reduce water entry and increase lifespan.
5. Think about entry systems
Zipperless, chest-zip and back-zip suits all have advantages. Zipperless and chest-zips tend to offer better flexibility and reduce flushing, while back-zips are often easier to put on and take off.
