Whether you enjoy a morning dip or are an experienced open water swimmer, a wetsuit is a prerequisite for creating a life-long affection for the sea. That's why in this article, we've set out to compare the best wetsuits for women who partake in a plethora of water sports here in the UK.
We've ranked the top 10 women's wetsuits from Amazon and Decathlon to take the edge off the seawater and do away with any teeth chattering moments. With options from Rip Curl, Roxy, O'Neill and Xcel, we will stop at nothing to make sure you're covered throughout all seasons for surfing and triathlon's alike!
Quick List - Top Women's Wetsuits
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Shorty, steamer, jacket and long Jane's are just some of the different wetsuit styles for women which are popularised around the world. The style of your chosen suit is very much a personal preference of what feels right for you, but there are still some things to consider.
For instance, shorty wetsuits with both cropped arms and legs are best suited for wear in warmer waters. So you may want to save it for taking with you on holiday, unless it's the peak of summer. The same could be said about wetsuit jackets, as they offer good wind chill resistance, but leave your legs exposed to cold water.
Long Jane's are great for open water swimming as they offer torso and full leg protection, but keep the shoulders and arms free for increased range of movement. Steamer suits are the most readily used in the UK as their full body coverage means they can be worn with boots, gloves and a hood during the colder months.
In general, women's wetsuits are built to include two thicknesses that are linked to different parts of the wetsuit. These are always measured in millimetres, with the first number instructing on the thickness of the torso area and the second typically pertaining to the thickness of the shoulders and limbs.
Each of these thicknesses are purposed for specific water temperatures and seasons, which give their user a certain level of warmth retaining insurance in their purposed conditions. As an example, wetsuits can be 3/2mm, 4/3mm or 5/4mm thick. Some are even as thick as 7/6mm, although this is considered rare and only suitable for the coldest of water climates.
As previously hinted at, each wetsuit will work best within a certain set of parameters which are heavily influenced by the water temperature and the season in which you intend to use it. Quite often, a wetsuit will either be rated as a winter or summer suit, with the thickness correlating to its intended sea temps.
3/2mm suits are perfect for British summers, as they are rated for water temperatures between 15° and 19°. For the spring and autumn months, where waters are usually above 12° and below 16°, a 3/4mm suit will suffice. In the depths of cold British winter, you can expect sea temperatures in the 7° - 10° range. During this season, look for a suit with 4 or 5 mm of neoprene in the torso.
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Some wetsuits are better for a particular sport over others. For example, wetsuits that are purposed for open water swimming tend to be incredibly streamlined and slim fitting, in addition to offering an increased amount of buoyancy and very specific flex-panels across the biceps and triceps for a greater range of motion.
In a similar fashion, surfing wetsuits benefit from built-in knee pads that help to increase the durability of a suit. While there's certainly nothing stopping you from using one wetsuit for most water sports, it's still a valuable consideration that deserves some thought.
One of the best indicators to the quality of a wetsuit is its zip. Gone are the days when every wetsuit on the market featured a back zip which required some limber limbs and plenty of hassle to locate the pull chord, before securing it with a velcro flap.
Thankfully, these days most mid-range and premium wetsuits have left the back zip in the rear view mirror, with chest zips being the new industry standard. The simple decision of bringing the zip to the front of the suit has allowed for an easier time for all.
Some market leading wetsuits have even gone as far as to remove the zip in its entirety, using interwoven neoprene panels to create a zipper-less entry and exit point that, most importantly, keeps water out! You'll still find back zips on budget and mid-range wetsuits that do their job well, but ultimately make your life harder for your effort.
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Peering through the design notes of wetsuits may have you questioning what in the world GBS seams are? Standing for "glued and blind stitched", this stitching method results in a premium wetsuit that feels seamless on the inside.
By gluing the panels of neoprene together, then stitching from the front, half way into the seam, wetsuit brands are able to create an insanely water-tight seal to repel the chilliest of winter seas. If a women's wetsuit isn't boasting about GBS seams, then there's a good chance they are flatlock instead.
Often associated with budget and mid-range boots, flatlock seams have simply been butted together then completely stitched over and through. This method of stitching is quick in production, but ultimately allows some water to freely flow through, making for some stiffening limbs during prolonged sea-going sessions.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Roxy 3/2mm Surfing Wetsuit | ![]() | Premium Summer Suit Bringing the Fun to Funky | |
2 | BTONGE Wetsuit Full Length 3mm Neoprene | ![]() | Year-Round Wetsuit That Repels Jellyfish | |
3 | Olaian 4/3mm Surfing Wetsuit | ![]() | Ideal Wetsuit for Surfing in Most Seasons | |
4 | PAWHITS Womens Wetsuit 3mm Thermal | ![]() | An Eco-Friendly Suit for Spring and Summer Sports | |
5 | Nabaiji 4/2mm Swimming Wetsuit | ![]() | Swim in Thermal Comfort With 4mm of Neoprene | |
6 | Synergy 3/2mm Triathlon Wetsuit | ![]() | Slice a Path Through Open Water With Soft Skin Neoprene | |
7 | Gul 3mm Long Jane Impact Wetsuit | ![]() | Impact and Shock Resistant Foam for Boating | |
8 | Osprey 5/4mm Winter Wetsuit | ![]() | Winter Suit Priced to Fly off the Internet's Shelves | |
9 | Cressi 2.5mm Shorty Wetsuit | ![]() | One to Bring Along When Bound for Warmer Pastures | |
10 | Two Bare Feet 3mm Wetsuit Jacket | ![]() | Protect Your Upper Body and Arms With a 3 mm Wetsuit Jacket |
Roxy have stopped at nothing to make this suit stand out, loud and proud. The colourful, floral design give it a certain pop that rarely features in wetsuits of any kind. Suiting the British summertime best, this 3/2mm premium offering is ready to serve and protect.
It features a chest zip, GBS seams and a flush lock system through the chest to ensure a secure watertight seal of wonderment. The inner fleece lining only increases its heat retaining and quick drying properties, resulting in a superior wetsuit that also knows how to have a little fun.
BTONGE's 3mm full body wetsuit is specifically designed to keep you safe from those nasty sea creatures! The neoprene and nylon blend, paired with velcro and rubber protection accents, keeps you safe head-to-toe from jellyfish stings.
The brand have specified that this is a year-round wetsuit, capable of maintaining optimal body temperatures on those frosty winter mornings, just as well as under the sweltering summer sun!
4/3mm wetsuits are very versatile suits that are suited to the spring and autumn months, as well as seeing you through the British summer. If you're hoping to buy one wetsuit for a variety of water-centric pursuits, then this may be the one for you.
Decathlon's Olaian 4/3 is built for surfing, bodyboarding and water sports in general, with knee pads, a chest zip and GBS seams. This is a feature-filled premium suit, for a very reasonable price, which reflects the Olaian mission statement through and through.
This suit from PAWHITS is designed for hotter temperatures, but will regulate body heat even under the sun! The eco-sourced nylon and neoprene construction is sun-resistant, with a UPF 50+ rating to keep the rays at bay.
When the weather cools down a little, though, you don't have to worry about ditching this pick too soon! The 3 mm fabric will fend off the chill, and the hard-wearing protection pads are a must all year round.
The 5/4/2mm Nabaiji swimming suit is a dedicated open water swimming wetsuit made to handle cold water in the winter as well as the autumn and spring. This is achieved through a technical construction combining 2mm arms, 4mm legs and 5mm chest and abdomen panels.
This wetsuit features premium GBS seams for a watertight seal of approval, in addition to a glide-skin outer layer. Plus, the increased buoyancy will help your stroke along as you leave the shore for an assured confidence at sea.
Synergy's triathlon wetsuit is conditioned to provide the ultimate streamlined glide through open water with a complete soft skin neoprene outer and hydrodynamic fit. The internal back zip is another note on the streamlined design and the GBS seams point towards the premium side of construction.
The 3/2mm thickness makes it the perfect suit for summer swimming, early autumn and spring. Because swimming is such a constant, physical sport, you'll stay much warmer in less neoprene than sports like surfing where sitting and waiting to catch a wave may cause you to feel the chill.
Gul's shock resistance 3mm long Jane wetsuit is constructed a little differently from the rest on this list. With an ultra-light, ultra-thin layer of high density foam built into the suit across the abdomen and sides, the wetsuit is made to absorb 90% of shock on impact.
This provides exceptional contusion protection, making it a wetsuit primarily constructed for the use of boating, sailing and any other above water activity where a bumpy ride is common. It even includes GBS seams for a quality, albeit quite particular, style of suit.
Osprey are one of the UK's most popular wetsuit brands, providing decent mid-range wetsuits for more than decent prices. This wetsuit features 5 mm of neoprene through the body, and 4 mm under the arms to allow for an increase in flex.
Neoprene at this thickness is designed to handle British winters with waters in the 8° - 12° range. The only slight hindrance is the flatlock seams, which will undoubtedly let water in, and in the middle of winter, this could shorten your sessions somewhat.
Cressi's 2.5mm shorty wetsuit feels incredibly flexible through the arms, legs and shoulders. This range of movement makes it a perfect summer suit for days at the beach, or for wear while snorkelling and diving when abroad in warmer waters.
The choice between pink and blue arm panels gives the suit a welcomed stamp of colour, helping you to better blend in with reef fish. A solid offering to take the edge off fresh mornings in tropical places!
Although not as effective as a complete wetsuit, without question, wetsuit jackets serve a purpose at sea. They offer a comforting windbreak when partaking in predominantly above water activities like boating, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and even surfing in the summer.
Even though it has more of a "budget" construction, this 3mm jacket from Two Bare Feet is a great addition to throw in the suitcase when heading off to warmer waters, or to bring along to British beaches during the peak of summer.
Wetsuits are specifically made to hug tight to your skin without any extra fabric. So, for beginners, it can be difficult to get into a wetsuit for the first time. If you're just starting out and you're keen to get kitted up, check out this instructional video on how to put on your wetsuit.
No. 1: Roxy|3/2mm Surfing Wetsuit
No. 2: BTONGE|Wetsuit Full Length 3mm Neoprene
No. 3: Olaian|4/3mm Surfing Wetsuit
No. 4: PAWHITS|Womens Wetsuit 3mm Thermal
No. 5: Nabaiji|4/2mm Swimming Wetsuit
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