Wetsuit Boots, Gloves & Hoods
Wetsuit boots, gloves and hoods from Vissla and Sisstrevolution for keeping your feet, hands and head warm in cold UK water. The range covers split toe and round toe boots in 3mm, 5mm and 7mm, thermal lined gloves from 1.5mm to 5mm, including a claw glove, and 3mm surf hoods.
How to choose boots, gloves and hoods
- Split toe boots separate the big toe from the others. They help the boot sit securely on your foot and give more feel for the board, which is why many shortboard surfers choose them.
- Round toe boots, also called closed toe boots, have a single toe pocket. Your toes share warmth, so they tend to feel warmer, and they are easy to pull on with cold hands.
- Gloves range from thin 1.5mm gloves that keep most of your paddling feel to 5mm gloves for the depths of winter. Claw gloves are shaped with curved fingers that follow your natural paddling position.
- Hoods cover the head, ears and neck. A separate hood can be added to any wetsuit that does not already have one attached.
Thickness by season
UK sea temperatures are roughly 7 to 10°C in winter and 15 to 18°C in late summer. As a general guide:
- Spring and autumn: 3mm boots, with 1.5mm or 3mm gloves on chilly mornings.
- Winter: 5mm boots, 3mm to 5mm gloves and a 3mm hood, worn with a 5/4mm or 6/5mm wetsuit.
- The coldest days, or if you feel the cold: 7mm boots and 5mm gloves.
Several product pages give the brand's own water temperature rating, which is a useful starting point. Thicker neoprene is warmer but gives less feel, so balance warmth against how much board feel and grip you want.
Sizing and fit
Neoprene keeps you warm by holding a thin layer of water against the skin, so all three should fit snugly with no baggy areas.
- Boots should be snug, with your toes near the end and no heel lift when you walk. Vissla boots are listed in UK sizes up to UK12 and Sisstrevolution women's boots from UK3. Check the size chart on each product page before choosing.
- Gloves are listed in letter sizes from S to XL. They should be close fitting without restricting your grip when you make a fist.
- Hoods are listed in letter sizes. A hood should sit close around the face without pressing on your throat.
- Wear your wetsuit legs and sleeves over your boots and gloves, so water runs off rather than in.
Care
Rinse boots, gloves and hoods in fresh water after each session, turn them inside out where you can, and dry them away from direct sunlight and radiators. Stand boots upside down so they drain, and let everything dry fully before you pack it away.
Common questions
What thickness wetsuit boots do I need in the UK?
Most surfers use 3mm boots in spring and autumn and 5mm boots in winter. If you feel the cold or surf in the coldest weeks, 7mm boots are the warmer choice.
Are split toe or round toe wetsuit boots better?
It is personal preference. Split toe boots give more board feel and stay put on the foot, while round toe boots tend to feel warmer and are quicker to put on.
Should wetsuit boots be tight?
They should be snug but not painful. Loose boots fill with water and let your foot slide, which makes them colder and harder to surf in. Check the size chart before choosing.
Do I need gloves and a hood for winter surfing?
Most surfers in the UK wear both in midwinter, along with 5mm boots. Hands and head lose warmth quickly in cold water and wind, so gloves and a hood make longer sessions far more comfortable.
Pair them with a winter wetsuit, browse surf accessories or visit the surf shop.
