Size
The best wetsuit is the one that fits your body type best. You can use our sizing chart to check what your size is. The most important thing is that you put on a wetsuit to feel how it fits you. This sometimes takes a couple of tries and models. It is normal that a new and dry wetsuit feels a bit uncomfortable at first, but once it gets wet it’ll get more flexible and comfortable.
Neoprene thickness
The thickness of a wetsuit is measured in millimetres and is expressed in consecutive numbers divided by a slash. Thicker panels give you more warmth, but generally have less flexibility and less freedom of movement.
The first number always indicates the biggest neoprene panel, the back and torso. The second number always represents the arms and legs, but if there’s a third number the second number dictates the thickness of the leg panels while the third let’s you know how thick the arm panels are.
A 5/3mm wetsuit means 5mm neoprene on the torso and back with 3mm panels at the arms and legs. A 6/5/4 means 6mm torso and back, 5mm legs and 4mm arms. You usually only see this with thick winter fullsuits. Having a separate thinner thickness for the arm panels allows for a bit more freedom of movement.
- <2mm: 20+ degrees Celsius
- 3/2mm: 13-15+ degrees Celsius
- 4/3mm: 11-15 degrees Celsius; boots, gloves and hood optional
- 5/3mm: 12-8 degrees Celsius; boots, gloves and hood recommended
- >5/4mm: <8 degrees Celsius; boots, gloves and hood highly recommended
Springsuits
Springsuits are a version of fullsuit with thinner neoprene panels. This still gives you the same protection against the sun, but allows for more freedom of movement because thinner panels are more stretchy. Let’s be honest, you don’t need the same wetsuit thickness in Spring, Summer and early Autumn. Springsuits usually come in 3/2mm, 2/2mm or a similar thickness of rubber. You can wear a springsuit between 13 to 18 degrees Celsius, but it all depends on you.
Shorties
Shorties on the other hand have exposed arms, legs or a partial combination of both. When waters get warmer than 18 degrees Celsius, it might be a good idea to switch over to a shorty. And why shouldn’t you? The feeling of freedom while surfing with hardly wearing any neoprene is uncanny. Still, staying out in the sun for too long can be dangerous. A shorty still offers some protection against those harmful ultraviolet radiations.
Neoprene tops, vests, lycra’s and rash guards
Tops generally are just shirts made from thinner panels of neoprene or lycra. You can have these with long sleeves, short sleeves or sleeveless. Most of the time, tops only are 1mm or 2mm. They offer protection against the sun and prevent rash from rubbing your torso on the deck and wax of your board. They’re great for surfing in the tropics or other warmer waters. They’ll give you great freedom of movement with maximum protection from the sun. Pair them with some nice boardshorts and you’re good to go.
Wetsuits for all budgets
Don’t worry Mystic has wetsuits for all budgets. We've got cheaper wetsuits for kids and for surfers new to the game. If you’re a little more advanced or performance orientated, we’ve also got you covered.
