Top 5 Best Wetsuits for Surfing [2023 Reviews]

With a new year rolling around, it's the perfect time to review where you can find the best wetsuits for surfing for the coming season. As any seasoned surfer would say, your own wetsuit will help you get the most out of surfing and swimming in the big deep blue waters for these important reasons:

• Beginner Boost - novice surfers and ocean adventurers find wetsuits aid them in their efforts, particularly by its improved buoyancy.
• Energy Conservation - again thanks to its buoyancy, you don't work so hard while out in the ocean.
• Enjoyment - you can still enjoy the waters in extreme weather conditions.
• Insulation - wetsuits can keep you warm even in cold ocean waters.
• Safety - extra protection for your skin makes sense when in open waters.
• Speed - both its buoyancy and a special water-repelling coating means you can go faster than usual.
• Rules - some surf events and activities may require wetsuits to participate.
• Utility - wetsuits are designed to enhance and improve mobility in both calm and turbulent waters.

Now that you better understand the benefits of a good quality wetsuit, check out our summary of the five best wetsuits for surfing this coming 2022 season. We’ve also provided a closer look at each contender to help you drill down into the details before you buy.

The Best Wetsuits for Surfing - 2022

We scoured the Internet to find you the best wetsuits for surfing, using the following factors to produce a fair comparison and scoring system:

• Design - different stitching and body adherence styles can affect mobility.
• Ease of Use - the simplicity of donning and removing wetsuits matters.
• Material - evaluating quality of the materials used in manufacturing.
• Price - you can be budget-conscious and still find the right wetsuit.

Each factor starts at a perfect ten, and is then adjusted for any deficiencies or drawbacks. The final numbers are then added together and divided by four to determine the overall score (with a score of 10 being perfect - and impossible to attain). Keep in mind, though, that all five of the wetsuits listed remain highly recommended and well-rated, meaning you cannot go wrong with any choice you see below.

Here are your five recommended best wetsuits for surfing for 2022:

• O'Neill Psycho Tech - Overall score of 9.35; selected "Best Overall"
• Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM - Overall score of 9.25
• Finisterre Nieuwland 3E - Overall score of 9.2; selected "Best Midrange"
• Olaian 4/3mm Neoprene Wetsuit 100 - Overall score of 9.05; selected "Best Value"
• Patagonia R3 Yulex FZ - Overall score of 9.0

Next, take a deeper dive (pun intended!) to get a closer look at each of the five best wetsuits for surfing...

Details on Your Five Best Wetsuits for Surfing

O'Neill Psycho Tech

This company has a strong and positive reputation as a premium manufacturer of wetsuits for all seasons and persons. But as is usual with leaders in the wetsuit industry, one model will stand out from the rest thanks to its many features and benefits. For O'Neill, their superstar product is their Psycho Tech wetsuit; if you demand top quality, excellent insulation, and premium stitching and seaming, which comes as close to waterproof as possible, then look no further.

Simply put, surfing enthusiasts willing to brave any element to ride the waves will love O'Neill's Psycho Tech. Designed to withstand the roughest weather conditions, it also offers serious insulation, even in the coldest waters.

Score - Breakdown and Overall

The O'Neill Psycho Tech earned an overall score of 9.35, broken down as follows:

• Design - 10.0
• Ease of Use - 9.4
• Material - 9.6
• Price - 8.6

Olaian 4/3mm Neoprene Wetsuit 100

Both beginners and budget-conscious surfers consider this starter wetsuit by Olaian a winner. Part of the reason it is super affordable is its neoprene material lacks the environmental gusto of many of its competitors; that said, the material does an acceptable job for occasional and novice surfers. This wetsuit is rated to withstand cold waters as low as 12 degrees for a solid hour, making it a product worth serious consideration.

Score - Breakdown and Overall

The Olaian 4/3mm Neoprene Wetsuit 100 earned an overall score of 9.05, broken down as follows:

• Design - 9.0
• Ease of Use - 9.4
• Material - 8.2
• Price - 9.6

Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM

If money is no obstacle for you, seriously consider the Highline Pro 1MM wetsuit by Quiksilver. The inclusion of "Pro" in the product name is no accident nor is it a marketing gimmick; the entire wetsuit is designed to give professional surfers that extra edge needed to stay on top of both competitions and gigantic waves. This handcrafted wetsuit has neither stitched seams nor zippers, meaning a lighter wetsuit with less possibility of chafing and scraping.

Score - Breakdown and Overall

The Quiksilver Highline Pro 1MM earned an overall score of 9.25, broken down as follows:

• Design - 9.0
• Ease of Use - 9.6
• Material - 9.6
• Price - 8.0

Finisterre Nieuwland 3E

For some reason, Finisterre introduced its original version of the Nieuwland wetsuit for men only, but this version rectified that oversight by adding a women's model to the line. Using the popular Yulex natural rubber, and offering a chest thickness of 3.5mm, this front-chest-zip entry wetsuit is constructed using blind stitching and taping.

Score - Breakdown and Overall

The Finisterre Nieuwland 3E earned an overall score of 9.2, broken down as follows:

• Design - 8.4
• Ease of Use - 9.4
• Material - 9.6
• Price - 8.4

Patagonia R3 Yulex FZ

For those who care about preserving the oceans upon which they surf, check out the products by Patagonia, a company known for its passion of everything green, starting with their plant-derived Yulex and synthetic rubbers. The rear zippered entry makes donning the wetsuit a little tricky, but once geared up, its 4.5mm thickness in the chest area makes for super warm surfing experiences. 

Granted, pricing reflects its green commitment, but its longevity, coupled with a lifetime warranty, makes this wetsuit a solid investment.

Score - Breakdown and Overall

The Patagonia R3 Yulex FZ earned an overall score of 9.0, broken down as follows:

• Design - 8.3
• Ease of Use - 8.4
• Material - 9.8 
• Price - 8.2

Now that you are informed about the best wetsuits for surfing in 2022, not even funky weather can hold you back from getting the most out of your surfing activities all year round! 

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