Wetsuits

Wetsuits for surfing in UK water from Vissla and Sisstrevolution, with men's, women's and boys' full suits, hooded winter suits, spring suits, a long jane, neoprene jackets and a wetsuit vest. Thicknesses run from 1mm jackets to 6/5mm hooded suits, so there is a suit for summer evenings, cold winter mornings and everything in between.

Wetsuit thickness guide for UK water

Wetsuit thickness is given in millimetres, usually as two numbers. The first is the neoprene on the torso and the second is on the arms and legs, so a 4/3mm suit has 4mm through the body for warmth and 3mm on the limbs for easier paddling. Where three numbers are given, such as 5/4/3mm, the suit uses three thicknesses in different areas.

UK sea temperatures are roughly 7 to 10°C in winter and 15 to 18°C in late summer. As a general guide:

Winter: a 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded suit, worn with boots, gloves and a hood.
Spring and autumn: a 4/3mm full suit, often with boots in the cooler weeks.
Summer: a 3/2mm full suit, or a 2/2mm on warmer days.
Warm days: 1mm or 2mm wetsuit jackets, spring suits, a long jane or a vest.

Many product pages also give the brand's own water temperature rating. If you feel the cold, go one step warmer than the guide suggests, as wind, rain and long sessions all make a difference.

Choosing an entry system

Chest zip: you step in through the neck opening and close a short zip across the chest. It avoids a long zip down the back.
Back zip: a long zip down the spine with a pull cord. It is the easiest type to get in and out of.
Zipless: no zip at all, so you enter through a stretchy neck opening. Vissla notes its zipperless High Seas II suits take more flexibility to put on than a chest or back zip.
V-Zip and U-Zip: Vissla New Seas closures that seal from shoulder to shoulder, designed to keep bulk down around the neck and shoulders.
Front zip and shoulder entry: used on some jackets, vests, spring suits and the long jane.

Getting the right fit

A wetsuit should fit snugly everywhere, with no folds or loose pockets of neoprene where water can collect, especially at the lower back, armpits and behind the knees. It will feel tight on dry land and ease slightly once wet, but you should still be able to raise your arms above your head and crouch without the suit pulling across your shoulders.

Vissla men's sizes include short and tall fits alongside standard letter sizes: MS and LS are medium short and large short, and MT and LT are medium tall and large tall.
Sisstrevolution women's wetsuits are sized in UK sizes, from UK4 to UK14 depending on the style.
Boys' wetsuits are sized by age. Measure your child's height and chest rather than going by age alone.
Always check the size chart on each product page, as fit varies between models.

Wetsuit care

Rinse your wetsuit in fresh, cool water after every session and dry it inside out on a wide hanger, out of direct sunlight. Do not leave it in a hot car, tumble dry it or hang it on a radiator. Use a wetsuit cleaner rather than household detergent.

Common questions

What thickness wetsuit do I need for the UK in winter?

Most surfers use a 5/4mm or 6/5mm suit in winter, ideally hooded, together with boots and gloves. Hooded options here include Vissla New Seas and 7 Seas suits and Sisstrevolution 7 Seas and My Seas suits.

Is a 4/3mm wetsuit warm enough for the UK?

For most people a 4/3mm suits spring and autumn. Some surfers stretch one into early winter with boots, gloves and a hood, but a 5/4mm or thicker is more comfortable in the coldest months.