Everything You Need To Know About Wetsuits

A skin-tight rubber suit might seem like the last thing you should be buying online, but it’s actually the best way to slide into new rubber for winter.


If you’re a seasoned neoprene (that’s the rubber used in wetsuits for the unenlightened) purchaser, then you’ll know the sweaty torture of yanking wetsuits on and off in the fitting room, but if you’re looking for your first rubber surf suit we’re here to give you a helping hand.


Firstly, you need to work out which type of wetsuit fits your task. Which heading into winter, basically means working out your local sea temp.

So how do wetsuits they work, and what’s with all the numbers?

Wetsuits work by basic insulation, so the thicker the rubber, the more water it traps between it and you (which is then heated by your body to form a toasty layer) and the warmer it keeps you. In general, if you’re dealing with water from 12-18°c then you’re looking at a 3/2 (numbers meaning the mm of thickness of the rubber on the torso and legs). 9-12°c then you’re in a 4/3. If 6-9°c then it’s a 5/4, and any lower than that then you’re most likely a polar bear so you don’t need one. Or at least you don’t live in Australia, because even the southernmost tip of Tasmania doesn’t get that cold.

Are all 3/2 wetsuits created equal?

You get what you pay for and wetsuits are no exception. Although 3/2 - 4/3 etc. denotes (generally) how suitable your suit is for a certain water temp, within that category the performance of the suit - warmth, flexibility, technical features - varies.

Hurley’s hallmark suit is the Advantage Max, which contains all the cutting-edge tech the Hurley wetsuit brains have developed for ultimate wetsuit performance. It’s constructed using Exoflex 2 neoprene, which is the latest batch of hi-tech warm and stretchy rubber and has all the little extras - knee embossing that reduces bunching, smooth skin neck and cuffs to reduce water entry, the list goes on - that take wetsuit performance to its peak.

The Advantage Plus is the one step down, but still a high-end wetsuit in its own right, just with slightly less features, the Advantage Plus is Hurley’s daily driver, the go-to, the everyday choice.

And the Advantage again is a notch down from the Plus, but still a hi-functioning, perfectly warm and flexible surf vessel. Think of them like HD TVs; you only notice the difference between a mid-range and a top-end when they’re next to each other in JB Hi-Fi the shopping centre.

What about wetsuit sizing?

Once you’ve got the temp sorted, it’s time to move onto sizes. Before we get started there, it’s important to mention that Hurley offers free and easy returns, so ordering the wrong size is no bother.

Women’s wetsuit sizes are the same as dress sizes, so go for what you’d wear in a fitted dress and adjust accordingly if it’s a little loose or too snug. Remembering that wetsuits are designed to be worn skin-tight but no so tight that they cut off your circulation (bearing in mind that they stretch and loosen up considerably when wet).

For the Men wetsuit sizing, this is a little more complicated, but once you land on your size you’ll be set for life -. barring significant weight gain (or loss). ’S’ for small, ‘M’ for medium and ‘L’ and ‘XL’ for large and extra large are fairly self-explanatory, but there’s a little wiggle room amongst the mediums. ‘MS’ stands for ‘medium short’, which is for the averaged sized gent who’s on the shorter side (5’7 - 5’9). Whilst, ‘MT’ stands for ‘medium tall’ and is for the string beans. If you’re a slim 6 footer, then chances are an MT will fit like a glove.

What’s the go with front and back zips?

Wetsuits are either ‘front zip’ - meaning you go feet first in through the neck hole, then pull the neck piece over your head and fasten the zip horizontally. Or they’re ‘back zip’ - meaning you enter through the back, stick your arms through and then fasten it by zipping it up the back. It really comes down to preference.

Historically it was believed that back zips let in more water, but now the tech’s so advanced they don’t, and plenty of hardened surfers remain staunch disciples of the back zip wetsuit.

 

And wetsuit Seams?

The functionality of wetsuits largely relies on the quality of the neoprene and the quality of the seams. It’s fairly self-explanatory, but poor seams equals maximum water entry and minimum warmth. So, liquid sealed seams is, ideally what you’re after. Hurley employs ‘Power Seam’ technology, which is a stretchy liquid seal tape that keeps water out, but doesn’t split or crack after excessive use, which is the scourge of many wetsuit designs.

What are the different types of wetsuits?

Steamers
If you’re in the cold water scene of surfing, or are just cold blooded and need a wetsuit anytime you surf, you are most likely well acquainted with the steamer (or ‘full-suit’). This is the wetsuit that covers your entire body, down to your wrists and ankles and up to your neck. You are basically a walking neoprene human sausage, but maybe don’t think about that when you’re running down for a surf. Think about the warmth instead.

You can get steamers in various thickness, the colder the water the thicker you go. From Sydney and up further north you’re most likely ok running a 3/2mm sealed steamer. But south of Sydney and especially around Victoria and Tasmania, you’ll want a 4/3mm sealed steamer in winter (and probably booties and maybe a hood).

For those on the Gold Coast, you might want to track down one of those unicorn 2mm steamers, they are rare but ultimately amazing to wear in winter up there. Most people generally surf in a short arm steamer, which is as it sounds - a steamer with short arms.

One last thing about steamers before we jump, there were a few notes above about ‘sealed steamers’. You want to make sure if you’re buying a steamer that you get one with taped GBS seams. What does that mean? It means the seam is glued and partially stitched as well as internally taped. It’s done this way to help keep out water as much as possible and keep you warmer longer. The internal taping really helps solidify the GBS external seam and multiplies the effort of keeping water out (and keeping you warm). Try a Hurley Advantage Max Suit for maximum warmth.

Springsuits
The springsuit has short arms and short legs, and covers your torso and chest areas. Not quite a steamer, not quite a vest. A nice in-between wetsuit generally, best adopted during transitional season months like late spring or early autumn. The versatility that a springsuit provides is hard to argue against, as it provides enough coverage and warmth yet still allows a solid amount of flexibility and freedom while surfing that a steamer might not.

You can also get a long sleeve springsuit (the opposite, in some ways, to the short arm steamer). Short legs, long sleeves. This type of suit is brilliant for when the water is warm but perhaps the air/wind is chilly.

Springsuits are perfect for late Spring, Early Summer down South in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia for those early mornings when the chill is still hanging around. Or in Queensland and Western Australia through Autumn when the air temp creeps down towards the same temp as the water.

Wetsuit Jacket and Vests
Ahhhh, the wetsuit jacket (or vest). This is the rubber that really highlights to everyone that it’s summertime. Even better yet, a wetsuit jacket is something you can easily partner up with your favourite pair of Hurley Phantom Boardshorts.

The wetsuit jacket is the last stop on your neoprene run (from here you go to a rashie or surfshirt), it’s the piece you use when surfing in boardshorts and need something to ward off the wind or just want a little extra warmth because going full skins (trunks only) isn’t quite what you’re up for.

The wetsuit jacket is generally quite a lot thinner than steamers or springsuits, coming in thicknesses from 0.5m up to 1.5mm. Most feature sealed seams these days, but you can find a flat locked seam one here and there. You can get a short arm vest, but the majority of them come in a long sleeve version (which is a better option if you ask us). Hurley have a range of colours to choose from in wetsuit jackets, plus the added bonus of being fully reversable for a bonus colourway on the inside.

Rashies
Rashies are functionally useful lycra pieces that we all have worn at one time or another in Australia. Usually, the first experience of wearing a Rashie has been as a small child, running around the beach and mum or dad has thrown one on us and lathered us with sunscreen to the point of looking like Casper the Ghost. Most likely the first one you wore was a wild neon colour with different coloured sleeves of a both with different fluro hits!

Thankfully these as all things have changed for the better.

These days Hurley have a range of UPF shirts that not only look good, they also protect you from the sun. They are in a classic T-Shirt fit and are free flowing rather than a skin hugging, tight lycra shirt that creates sweat and lack comfort. They can be worn all day on a beach day with the family, or chucked on for some added sun protection while surfing through summer.

In short, a rashie provides a layer of protection around your upper body/torso to block the effects of the sun. It can help with minimising any chest or underarm rash from paddling as well. Think Gold Coast in summer, Indo when we can travel again or Bondi beach from October through April, the rashie or surfshirt as we like to call them is a versatile piece of sun protection that looks good while providing you with care.[CG4] 

 

Any suit hacks from a seasoned Wetsuiter?

As someone who has spent more time than they’d like to admit in a rubber suit being tossed around the ocean, I’ve picked up a few wetsuit wearing hacks along the way:

·   Vertical zips go at the back and horizontal ones at the front - That’s a good start

·   Always cut your toenails, as stuffing a jagged big toe into your soft new suit can easily puncture it. If you want to further protect your suit from toenails (and make it easier to put on) then slipping your last ever plastic bag over your foot and then sliding in will make it easier, especially if your wetsuit’s wet.

·   Peeing in wetsuit’s one of life’s great pleasures, but it evidently leads to odour issues, so make sure you wash it out after with cold water and a little eco-friendly detergent of your choice.

·   Leaving it in direct sunlight’s not the best idea either, nor is folding it up and storing it wet as that can lead to weird creases that you’ll be convinced you need to iron out (and definitely shouldn’t).

 

In general, it’s common sense when it comes to making a wetsuit last and perform, and if you treat them well, they’ll do the same in return. Similarily goes for choosing the right wetsuit for you. If you’re out in the drink every waking moment, a suit with all the bells and whistles is likely what you’ll need. On the other hand, if you’re only catching waves every now and again then a more basic rubber might be better suited to you.

 

A wetsuit is one of those ‘surfing essential’ (alongside a board of course), so grab one that’s going to keep you warm and not let you down when the beach is a tiny dot on the horizon.