Best Women's Wetsuits for Winter

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Cold happens. What are you gonna do about it?

Stephanie Schechter

April 5th, 2023

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Wherever you live, once winter comes to your doorstep, it’s time to start thinking about some extra neoprene to keep you surfing through the chilly months. Should you upgrade? Should you get a brand-new suit? And if so, which kind? There are so many options, but here’s some info to help make that decision a little easier for you before spending your hard-earned cash.

All the wetsuits you'll see below have been handled and tested either by myself or the Surfline team members who chipped in to help with this article. However, you'll notice that the we focus on facts and features, rather than experience-based opinions, due to the fact that performance reviews are often correlated with fit, which differs across women's unique body types and shapes.

In the past, the surf industry has overlooked the body diversity among women who surf, choosing to make suits that are just smaller versions of their male wetsuit patterns. While we're making massive advances in wetsuits for women, we still have a ways to go with size and fit options, and would love to hear from more women about their experiences with any of the suits below.

If you've worn or tried on these wetsuits, please reach out via email—it would be fantastic to continue the dialogue around the challenges that seemingly all female surfers have faced with wetsuit fit and comfort.

Explore Women's Wetsuits

7TILL8 Custom

Performance

If you’ve tried on a thousand wetsuits in the surf shop and have never been able to find the right fit, look no further than 7TILL8. Their custom-tailored wetsuits are made-to-order using your exact measurements, and you get to choose the entryway, thickness and color. Made with the highest-quality Yamamoto neoprene and construction, a 7TILL8 custom suit will become your prized possession.

Warranty: Free repairs for the wetsuit's life.

Florence 4/3

Performance

As one of the highest-quality wetsuits on the market, Florence uses Japanese neoprene and makes every suit to order. The sleek, low-profile design and sophisticated color options help you feel expensive while you surf—which is good, because the suit comes in at the same price point as a fully custom-tailored fullsuit from other brands.

Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty on workmanship and a limited one-year warranty on materials.

O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire

Performance

As the top-tier suit from O’Neill’s women’s wetsuit line, the Hyperfreak Fire hasn’t left out any bells or whistles. Featuring fluid seam welding, TB4 firewall lining and segmented 3D wrist and ankle cuffs, this suit’s focus is warmth, warmth, warmth.

Warranty: 12 months from date of original purchase.

Rip Curl E7 Heatseeker

Warmth

No zipper, no problem. Rip Curl’s E7 Heatseeker Flashbomb 4/3 is the crème de la crème of Rip Curl’s Flashbomb series, giving a surfer everything you could ever ask for in a standard 4/3. The Version 2 Flex Energy generates heat when stretched, meaning you’ll be cosy and flexible throughout every session.

Warranty: Three-year warranty on all stitching and a 12 month warranty on all materials.

KASSIA+SURF

La Luna Backzip

Performance

Longboard icon Kassia Meador combined her years of experience in surfing with her inimitable sense of style to create her own wetsuit line. With a focus on creating properly fitting wetsuits for the female form that encompass fashion, function and sustainability, the La Luna suit embodies the ethos of the brand, including the signature lunar print accented on the arms.

Warranty: Unworn wetsuits can be exchanged for the same style in another size.

Finnisterre Nieuwland 3e Yulex

Eco

Warmth

Comfort and stretch are key in this 3mm fullsuit from UK sustainable-focused brand, Finnisterre. Made from natural rubber and recycled polyester, the suit stands out with an environmentally conscious and unique design, flex panels in the shoulders for paddling, and double needle blind stitching (instead of seam sealant) for longevity.

Warranty: One-year warranty on all stitching and materials.

FERAL

4mm3

Performance

Durability is key in the Feral fullsuit, with the brand claiming that their suits last, “seasons, not sessions.” Created from high-quality Yamamoto neoprene, their sleek, no-nonsense 4/3 is perfect for the serious surfer looking for a suit that will keep her warm for winters to come.

Warranty: One-year warranty on all stitching and materials.

Billabong Salty Dayz Natural

Eco

Performance

Billabong is leading the big-name surf brands in sustainability, and the Salty Dayz Natural 4/3 is no exception, featuring Yulex rubber and Recycler Graphene Comp stretch lining. The comfort and performance capabilities of this suit keep up with the environmental emphasis, and style isn’t left behind with graphic accents on the sleeve.

Warranty: Three-year warranty on all stitching and a 12-month warranty on all materials.

*Calculated based on subtotal, certain products excluded.

Rip Curl E-Bomb

Performance

E6 neoprene and thermal lining make this Rip Curl suit a comfortable option for moderate winter water temperatures, featuring a zipperless entry. The E-Bomb series is a staple for everyday surfers and weekend warriors alike, with a reasonable price point and signature Rip Curl style.

Warranty: Three-year warranty on all stitching and a 12-month warranty on all materials.

Matuse D’Arc

Performance

Matuse goes the extra mile with the D’Arc 4/3, made with GeoFlex limestone neoprene and Hydrasilk nylon. With Matuse’s signature butterfly collar entryway and comfort-focused design, the form and function keep surfers warm all winter long. Consider sizing up due to the suit’s slim fit.

Warranty: One-year limited warranty on stitching and materials.

Picture Equation Flexiskin

Warmth

Known for their commitment to the environment, Picture created the Equation wetsuit with comfort and sustainability in mind. Made from Ecoprene (derived from limestone and recycled tires), and Flex Skin ultra-stretch neoprene, the 4/3 Equation fullsuit is ideal for moderate winter climates. The Equation’s unique feature is its “comfort zones”, offering extra padding in the ribs — ideal for long, back-to-back sessions.

Warranty: Two-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects.

Wallien Nikki van Dijk

Value

Performance

Designed with professional surfer Nikki van Dijk for her signature line of wetsuits, Wallien brings style and substance together with this 4/3. Look and feel great in premium Earth-mined Japanese limestone neoprene. Wallien offers high-quality, fashionable wetsuits that won’t hurt the wallet — and will keep you warm in the surf.

Warranty: One-year warranty on workmanship and manufacturing defects.

O’Neill Ninja

Value

Performance

Offering value, comfort and warmth, the O’Neill Ninja 4/3 chest-zip gets the job done with UltraFlex neoprene, DL FluidFlex Firewall insulation and internal UltraFlex taped seams. Stay warm without breaking the bank.

Warranty: 12 months from original date of purchase.

SRFACE Eco

Eco

Value

Save the Earth and stay warm in SRFACE’s Eco fullsuit. Made from Yulex, derived from FSC-certified Sri Lankan Hevea rubber trees, recycled nylon lining, and recycled plush insulation, this suit was designed with the planet in mind, without forgetting performance and comfort.

Warranty: One-year limited SRFACE warranty on workmanship and manufacturing defects.

Sisstrevolution

7 Seas

Value

Express yourself with a rainbow of colorways in Sisstrevolution’s signature 7 Seas 4/3 chest-zip. An all-around suit for surfers who want a bit of extra flash, without the extra price tag. Perfect for someone who is ready to step up from the basics.

Warranty: One year from purchase date manufacturer wetsuit warranty

needessentials

Yulex Zipperless

Value

Eco

needessentials came out with their first Yulex wetsuit last year, pushing the envelope in sustainability beyond many established brands. The addition of more thermal lining means the overall stretch is sacrificed for additional warmth. It’s not as sprightly, but still flexes with the best of them, and it’s a toaster. Overall, this is perfect for someone wanting a more sustainable option without paying through the nose.

Warranty: Six months on all seams and materials.

Roxy Swell Series

Value

A workhorse of a wetsuit, the Roxy Swell Series offers all the essentials like StretchFlight neoprene, WarmthFlight thermal lining, and a touch of flair by way of a subtle monochrome floral print on the sleeves.

Warranty: One year warranty from the date of purchase on workmanship and materials.

Patagonia R1 Yulex

Eco

Patagonia continue to deliver a bomb-proof, environmentally friendly option in the full suit world. The durability on these suits is top notch and is a suit you can have confidence that you’ll get multiple seasons out of it. Built in a fair trade certified factory, with sustainable materials, you can also feel great about your enviro conscious purchase.

Warranty: Repairs anything that appears to have

failed under normal use.

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