Best wetsuits 2024: make a splash

Selecting the best wetsuit for your aquatic adventures is essential if you plan to spend any time in the water. Even in the warmest months of summer, the sea can chill you fast, but with a good wettie, you'll be able to hang on for that perfect wave, keep swimming for a little bit longer, or stay submerged for more time while snorkelling or freediving without getting cold and uncomfortable.

Today's best wetsuits are increasingly eco-friendly. Yesteryear's neoprene, which is made from petroleum and is not recyclable using traditional technologies, is replaced by environmentally friendly products, such as Yulex.

If you're heading to the coast, whether you're hitting the waves on a surfboard, bodyboard, or stand-up paddleboard (check our best paddle boards for beginners guide to get started) or even wild swimming, make sure you equip yourself with a quality wetsuit first.

If you want the best wetsuit right now, you need the Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. It's responsibly made, is durable and provides more than enough insulation in anything but freezing water. If you prefer your wetsuit to dry quickly, O'Neill's Hyperfreak is your best option. For triathlons, we can't recommend the dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 enough.

The best wetsuits to buy right now

Best overall

We thoroughly enjoyed using the Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit. Born in Cornwall and built for rough waters, it's the perfect jack-of-all-trade wettie, ideal for swimming, surfing, paddle-boarding or anything else you might want to use it for.

As expected from a certified B-Corp company like Finisterre, the Nieuwland wetsuit is built to last from sustainable materials, including Yulex, a less harmful alternative to petroleum-based neoprene.

It's not cheap, and unless you frequently spend time in the water, it might be harder to justify the price, but we don't think casual swimmers or occasional paddle boarders would seriously consider splashing out on the Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit, anyway.

If you like spending time in open waters, in a professional capacity or otherwise, this suit is almost a must, especially if you care about the environment.

Read our full Finisterre Nieuwland 3/2 Yulex Back Zip Wetsuit review.

Best quick-drying

When they launched in 2014, O'Neill's Hyperfreak wetsuits quickly gained a reputation for unparalleled levels of flexibility and warmth but a life span that was much shorter than conventional wetsuits. Fast forward to today, and the Hyperfreak range has evolved to become more flexible than ever but is now much more resilient than earlier iterations.

While a super-snug fit is vital if your wetsuit is to do its job correctly, it can feel restrictive if the neoprene prevents natural movements. O'Neill's Technobutter 3X branded neoprene has an amazing amount of four-way stretch that, even in the thickest varieties, enables free body movement and does not hamper paddling, pop-ups or any movements you make on the wave.

It's also relatively soft to the touch and far easier to get on and off than most front-zip wetsuits. Despite being much more robust than it used to be, Technobutter is still easier to damage than conventional neoprene, so take extra care when putting on and removing the wetsuit.

Read our full O'Neill Hyperfreak review.

Best for triathlons

The dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 is an excellent quality wetsuit for an excellent price (especially in the UK) with an excellent range of sizes. The ¾ length makes it easier to get on and off than a full-leg length suit, making it especially well-suited for triathlons. That said, open-water swimmers, SUPers, and other watersport enthusiasts would also enjoy the extra buoyancy and reduced drag.

It's not as well-insulated as standard neoprene wetties. However, it dries quickly, so it's not too heavy to carry around after you've been in the water. During testing, the buoyancy was very noticeable – definitely a strong selling point. The only downside was the confusion around the sizing, so our advice would be to use the chart, check your measurements against it but then still go up another size.

Read our full dhb Aeron Wetsuit 2.0 review.

Best for SUPing

Designed with surfers and extreme water-based lunatics in mind, this suit puts particular emphasis on stretch in the areas that require it most. That means there's plenty of give under the arms to allow for easier paddling motions, while panels in the legs make it simple to pop up on a surfboard or dig deep on a SUP.

The E5 version of Flashlining is lighter than ever and features multiple layers that funnel water out of the suit quicker to keep the warmth locked in the side, where it's needed most. Better still, the fuzzy warm stuff features throughout the Flashbomb, not just the vital chest and abdomen area, so you stay ridiculously warm in the water.

We found the suit incredibly easy to get in and out of, but even a hardy front zip closure system didn't completely negate the 'flushing' sensation that occurs when cold water enters the back of the suit. However, it's a super suit, and the latest E4 neoprene is brilliantly stretchy and so easy to don while the furry lining was arguably too hot for some of the sunnier days on the water in the UK, but we're not complaining...

Best premium

The Quiksilver 3/2mm Highline Chest Zip suit has remarkable flexibility, quick-drying properties, and robust construction.

Crafted with Highlife Eco neoprene, it offers exceptional flexibility, allowing for unrestricted movement while catching waves. The suit features Warmflight Eco Velvet lining, composed of recycled materials, providing added warmth and comfort during extended surfing sessions.

One notable feature is its secure triple-glued and blind-stitched seams, minimising water seepage and ensuring a snug fit. The chest zip entry design enhances convenience, eliminating the need to reach around the back for zipping up, particularly beneficial for those with limited shoulder mobility.

Despite its impressive performance attributes, some concerns have been raised regarding its long-term durability compared to competing models. Previous experiences with Quiksilver suits have occasionally resulted in issues with elements failing or ripping over time. However, the Highline model appears to address these concerns, demonstrating solid construction and reliability in initial testing.

Quiksilver's 3/2mm Highline Chest Zip suit offers surfers a balance of flexibility, warmth, and comfort, making it well-suited for spring and summer surfing sessions. While durability may be a consideration for some, its performance characteristics and reasonable pricing make it a compelling option for those seeking a reliable wetsuit for seasonal use.

Read our full Quicksilver vs Finisterre vs NeedEssentials wetsuit comparison.

Best for cold water

If you're after a women's wetsuit that'll keep out the chill in winter and which has solid eco credentials, Finisterre's Nieuwland 5mm hooded wetsuit ticks all the boxes. It's made from sustainable Yulex rubber rather than environmentally unfriendly neoprene, and it's flexible and durable with great heat-holding properties.

It'll cost you more than a similarly-specced neoprene winter suit, and it's not the easiest wetsuit to get into or out of. However, it feels good against the skin, and Finisterre says its suits become more flexible after 10-15 wears, so the more you take it out, the easier it'll be to put it on. The quality's great, and it's good and warm, complete with a hood that'll stave off brain freeze.

All in all, it's an innovative and beautifully made wetsuit that will be ideal for seasoned cold-water surfers looking to put their money where their mouth is and make a more eco-friendly purchase.

Read our full Finisterre Nieuwland 5mm Hooded Wetsuit review.

Best mid-range

As well as having a no-quibble guarantee, SRFACE's Heat range of wetsuits is excellent value for money and can compete with higher-priced wetsuits on performance. While they're not quite as stretchy as O'Neill's Hyperfreak range, there's still a lot of give in SRFACE's Japanese limestone-derived neoprene and at no point were paddling or other body movements felt impeded by the 4/3 wetsuit tested.

Unsurprisingly, given its name, the Heat wetsuit did a great job of maintaining warmth – aided by hollow fibre insulated panels to the chest and back, with neck, arm and ankle seals to help keep flushes of cold water at bay.

Read our full SRFACE Heat wetsuit review.

Best budget

The Olaian 4/3mm wetsuit is a fantastic choice for the occasional surfer, or keen beginner looking for a warm suit. This really delivers on that promise, rated for an hour in ‘cold' water, which Decathlon defines as 12 to 17 degrees – you'll certainly be glad of a wetsuit at the lower end of this range. The 4/3mm neoprene may not have the environmental credentials of some of its peers, but it'll certainly do the job at hand. Glued and blind stitched seams, armoured knees and seamless inserts at crotch and underarms mean that comfort levels should be decent even on longer sessions too, which at this price point is more than enough. 

Best eco-friendly

If you're looking for a new summer wetsuit, the Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ utilises flexible materials that feel good and won't hamper your surfing with production methods that are far less damaging than the ones used on most rival wetsuits out there. The Equation is constructed using neoprene made from 30 per cent recycled tyres and 70 per cent limestone (extracted using sustainable energy sources) and a lining that contains recycled fishing nets which is bonded in place using solvent-free glues.

Lighter and stretchier than other wetsuits with eco-credentials from the likes of Patagonia and Finisterre, the Equation's branded neoprene (EicoPrene) feels very similar to O'Neill's Technobutter. Like the O'Neill neoprene, EicoPrene is superbly flexible too and allows for a totally unrestricted feel. A lightly fleeced, quick-drying lining covers the inside of the wetsuit to provide extra comfort and warmth. The only downside is that Equation is not as hardwearing as the other eco-friendly wetsuits, and given how much flex there is in the neoprene, it's worth trying a smaller size than your usual wetsuit.

Read our full Picture Organic Equation 3/2 FZ review.

How to choose the best wetsuit for you

Navigating waters in winter was once reserved for the most dedicated, but advancements in wetsuit tech have democratised year-round aquatic enjoyment.

Choosing the right wetsuit hinges on activity and season. 'Steamers' are optimal for trapping and warming water, while 'shorties' suffice for summer and full-length suits for winter. Fit is paramount, with manufacturers offering various sizes and cuts.

Activity-specific designs ensure suitability, with hoods, gloves, and boots vital for winter sports. Thickness dictates warmth, with 3/2mm ideal for summers and 5/4mm or 6/4mm for winter chill. Avoiding flushing maintains warmth, and striking a balance between cosiness and manoeuvrability is key.

How we test the best wetsuits

A wetsuit with an integrated hood is a good idea for the deepest winter, but it makes the suit less suitable for autumn or spring sessions when you’ll likely be surfing with the hood down, making the wettie more prone to flushing. As well as an integrated or separate hood, wetsuit boots and gloves are both essential winter equipment too.

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