Jack's Surfboards carries surfing wetsuits for men, women and kids from Xcel, O'Neill, Rip Curl, Body Glove, Manera and Isurus. Choose from springsuits for summer, 3/2 and 4/3 fullsuits, and hooded 5/4 winter suits. The range runs from springsuits to titanium-lined winter suits. Not sure which thickness you need? Start with the chart below, or ask at any of our six Southern California shops.
What thickness wetsuit do I need?
Thickness is listed in millimeters, core first, then arms and legs. A 4/3 is 4mm through the body and 3mm in the arms and legs. Match the suit to the water temperature where you surf:
| Water temperature |
Suit |
| 78°F and up |
Rash guard or UV top |
| 70 to 77°F |
2mm suit or springsuit |
| 64 to 68°F |
3/2 or 4/3 fullsuit |
| 54 to 63°F |
4/3 or 5/4 fullsuit |
| 46 to 52°F |
5/4 or 6/5, plus boots, gloves and hood |
Ranges from O'Neill's wetsuit thickness guide.
Wind, how long you stay out and how easily you get cold all matter too. If you're always the first one out of the water, go one step thicker. For winter picks, read our guide to the best winter wetsuits for cold water.
How should a wetsuit fit?
Like a second skin. It should feel snug everywhere, with no loose folds at the lower back, armpits or knees, and the neck should seal without choking you. A loose suit lets cold water flush through, which defeats the purpose. Every brand cuts a little differently, so check the size chart for the exact suit you want. Tall sizes like MT and LT add length for longer torsos.
Chest zip, back zip or zipperless?
Back zip suits are the easiest to get in and out of. O'Neill notes the tradeoff is less paddle flexibility. Chest zip suits have a short zipper across the chest, which gives your shoulders more room to paddle and lets in less water, and they're the most common zip on our 4/3 and winter suits. Manera calls its version a front zip. Zipperless suits like the Isurus Shield go one step further for flex, but take a little practice to get into.
What do you get when you spend more on a wetsuit?
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Entry level: solid, simple suits like the Xcel Axis, O'Neill Bahia and Epic, Rip Curl Omega and Body Glove Variant.
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Mid range: warmer linings and more stretch. Rip Curl's Dawn Patrol has E5 flash lining, Xcel's Comp uses a Thermo Dry Infrared interior, Body Glove's Red Cell has an infrared lining, and O'Neill's Hyperfreak uses TechnoButter 3 neoprene.
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Top end: the warmest, lightest suits. Rip Curl's Flashbomb with E7 flash lining, Xcel's Drylock with a Thermo Dry Inferno interior, and Isurus's titanium-lined Ti Alpha winter suits.
Want natural rubber instead of standard neoprene? Manera's ALT Meteor uses Yulex natural rubber.
Shop wetsuits by type
Browse men's wetsuits, women's wetsuits and kids wetsuits, or go straight to springsuits, hooded wetsuits, neoprene tops, booties, gloves and hoods and the wetsuit sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a wetsuit?
To keep you warm in cold water. Neoprene traps a thin layer of water against your skin, and your body heat warms it up. A wetsuit also protects you from sun, wind and the occasional scrape, so you can stay out longer.
Do you wear nothing under a wetsuit?
Many surfers wear nothing, and plenty wear a swimsuit or boardshorts, which makes changing in a parking lot easier. For extra warmth, add a thin layering top like Xcel's Insulate-XR. Avoid cotton, since it stays wet and cold.
What is the best brand of wetsuit?
The one that fits you best. Xcel is the biggest wetsuit brand in our shop, followed by Manera, Body Glove, O'Neill and Rip Curl, and each makes warm, durable suits from entry level to winter. Isurus makes some of the warmest winter suits we carry. Try a few on if you can, since every brand fits a little differently.
How much should a good wetsuit cost?
For a good 3/2 or 4/3 fullsuit that will last, look at the mid range, with warmer linings and more stretch. Entry suits are the most affordable, and top-end suits with the warmest linings cost the most. Current prices are shown on each product above.
What are the best affordable wetsuits?
The Xcel Axis, O'Neill Bahia and Epic, Rip Curl Omega and Body Glove Variant are all solid entry-level suits. Check our wetsuit sale too, where past-season suits drop in price.
Should you buy a wetsuit a size bigger?
No. A wetsuit should fit snug from day one. Neoprene stretches a little with use, and a loose suit lets cold water flush through. If you're between sizes, try both and pick the one that fits without gaps.
How long does a wetsuit last?
It depends on how often you surf and how you treat it. A suit that gets rinsed in fresh water after every session and dried in the shade lasts much longer than one left in a hot car. When the neoprene goes stiff, the seams start leaking or you're cold in water you used to be fine in, it's time for a new one.
Where can I buy a wetsuit near me?
At any of our six shops in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Dana Point, Hermosa Beach and Santa Monica, where you can try suits on. You can also order online, and we'll ship it or have it ready to pick up in store.
