Wetsuit Thickness Guide

Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Wetsuit

 

Wetsuit thickness and budget – two key points to consider when selecting a wetsuit. But before you start thinking about the price, you need to know how thick your wetsuit should be, which can be determined by looking at how cold (or warm) the sea temperature is where you'll be surfing/swimming.

It's important to take into consideration that wetsuit suitability may vary by 5-10°C depending on your weight, level of activity, and the temperature outside. These guidelines are in association with O'Neill's suggested Wetsuit Temperature Chart.

  • 0–3°C | 6mm / 7mm – deep winter warriors.
  • 4–7°C | 4mm / 5mm / 6mm – the bitterly cold brave.
  • 8–11°C | 3mm / 4mm – crisp water comrades.
  • 12–17°C | 2mm / 3mm – seasonally smart surfers.
  • 18–26°C | UV lycra / Spring suit – endless summer embracers.

1 or 2mm Spring Shorty

  • It’s about as thin as a wetsuit comes and will keep your body protected
  • Minimal exhaustion and no overheating
  • Boardshorts and a wetsuit top are also an option

Shop shorty wetsuits.

Woman in a long-sleeved patterned suit carving along a clean green wave in bright sunshine

3mm

  • Can be worn in the winter depending on how early into the colder months you’re going to be surfing
  • Can be worn in the summer – especially if in the UK or Ireland
  • Can be worn during winter in some spots around Europe

Hot tip: Refer to the water temperatures above to ensure that you can spend the most time in the water with a 3mm.

Shop 3mm wetsuits.

4mm

Shop 4mm wetsuits.

Surfer in a black wetsuit turning off the lip in white water with deep blue ocean behind

5mm

  • Deep winter and cold-water surfing
  • Booties and gloves become a necessity
  • Wetsuit hoods become an option

Shop 5mm wetsuits.

Surfer in a black wetsuit riding a yellow board deep inside a green barrelling wave

6mm/7mm

  • Extremely cold surfing conditions
  • Serious surfers who track winter swells
  • Booties, gloves and hoods become a necessity

Shop 6mm wetsuits.

Surfer in a black wetsuit boosting an air off a cold grey wave with snowy peaks behind

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Updated on 26. april 2023

Originally published on 6. august 2018 in Wetsuit Guides