The Best New Wetsuits of 2023

Dakine’s been inseparable from surf since 1979, when founder Rob Kaplan grew tired of fixing broken leashes in Hawaii and began fashioning his own. Since then, Dakine has built a solid reputation for its boardies, bags, leashes, traction, you name it. It wasn’t until just a couple of years ago though, that the brand ventured into the crowded wetsuit space.

We got our hands on the Cyclone 3/2 ($430), Dakine’s premium offering, and were immediately impressed by its warmth and comfort. Fast forward a couple of seasons later, and we’re even more impressed by the durability.

Warmth comes courtesy of Dakine’s stretchy yet sauna-like limestone-based neoprene, which is purportedly more durable and sustainably sourced than standard petroleum-based neoprene. That said, it’s worth noting that limestone is still a non-renewable resource and necessitates an energy-intensive production process. If you’re keeping score, Dakine does get points for an eco-friendly dying process and solvent-free construction.

Another contributing factor on the thermal front (our testers’ favorite feature of the wetsuit) was the hexagon-dotted, fleecy, quick-drying liner. It wraps around the core and upper legs and helps trap heat. Plus, it’s ultra-soft against the skin. All told, it maximizes warmth and minimizes the chances of session-souring chaffing.

Also of note, the chest zip is a tried-and-true entry, and the Cyclone didn’t flush during sessions throughout Northern California this summer and fall. Fit and comfort is on point too, thanks to the brand’s paneling pattern as well as fused, sealed, and taped seams. Seams and cuffs alike still aren’t showing serious signs of wear, a nod to the Dakine suit’s durability. A final selling point for those who are hard on their gear, the Cyclone sports oversize kneepads and resilient, anti-abrasion paneling in high-friction zones.

We’d be remiss to mention as well Dakine’s Split Toe 5/4 Boot ($110), which we gave two thumb toes up after testing it in both the surf of San Francisco and Santa Cruz as well as the brutally cold, marginally surfable waves of Lake Tahoe. This is the boot we tested alongside the Dakine Cyclone 3/2. The liner is crafted from the same ultrasoft, hexagon-pocked thermal fabric as the Cyclone wetsuits, providing remarkable comfort and warmth. The split toe, textured heel and ball of foot, and extra-gummy toe combine for supreme grip, even in cold water.

The verdict: Overall, while it’s a touch heavier and not cheap for the 3/2 class, the Cyclone’s warmth, comfort, and durability make it worth it in our eyes.

Crooked hails from New England — a sometimes surf-rich, sometimes surf-poor land of sleet and snow, clam chowder, and hurricane swell. The fledgling brand’s origin story is an admirable one: It wanted top-of-the-line wetsuits that could withstand icy Atlantic sessions but was tired of paying top dollar. Crooked’s solution to the problem? Source wetsuits from Japan, spend zilch on marketing, and slang them directly to cold-water surfers, holding the markup and frills.

Crooked’s flagship 4/3 ($350) uses sports-industry-best, pro-approved, Yamamoto neoprene. A limestone-based neoprene, Yamamoto neoprene is renowned for its durability, flexibility, warmth-to-weight ratio, and a hand feel that’s damn near soft as silk.

Our Ocean Beach-based tester put the suit to the test summer through winter at his local break, and he loved everything about the 4/3. He raved about the warmth and performance of the neoprene during foggy dawn patrols at notoriously chilly spots south of the city. After heavy use, he reported that the fabric as well as the glued, blind-stitched, and internally taped seams were still as bombproof as the day he got it.

He also appreciated the double-seamed cuffs on the sleeves, which Crooked added knowing that many surfers will want to rock the suit with gloves come colder months. Last but not least, he dug the subtle branding and the tasteful flash of orange on a single wrist — it’s just enough to quickly select the 4/3 from a snake ball of wetsuits or be recognizable in a crowded lineup without sticking out like a sore thumb.

The verdict: Orange-ringed cuff and Yamamoto neoprene aside, Crooked’s most attractive feature is certainly the price, as wetsuits made from these high-quality materials can cost twice as much. For the surfer who’d rather save their dough for a warm-water surf trip or a new shape, this cold-water essential is a no-brainer. Speaking of brains, if you’re looking to ward off the ice cream headache, Crooked’s got your cranium covered with an affordable hooded 5/4 and 4/3 too.

You know those days when it’s too cold for a 4/3 but too warm for a 5/4? Enter the Patagonia R3 ($519). A 4.5/3.5 that we’ve used damn near year-round on the Northern California coast, the latest R3 is crafted from Patagonia’s best batch of Yulex yet. As we mentioned above, common complaints for early stage Yulex rubber were centered around flexibility. And while the latest Patagonia Yulex isn’t off the charts for stretch, it’s respectably middle of the park and quite comfortable, especially after a few surfs.

On the other hand, the R3 punches above its weight class when it comes to warmth. We’ve worn the R3 on days in the Pacific Northwest and Lake Tahoe when a hooded 5/4 was a standard-issue uniform and surfed long sessions. It’s worth noting that Patagonia makes an Insertable R3 Hood for conditions like those, allowing this wetsuit to crush a broader range of conditions if strapped for board bag space or budget.

Durability has also been a standout of the newer Yulex and Patagonia’s continually improved construction techniques. After a couple seasons of use, including a 2-week road trip with few freshwater rinses along the way, the suit shows little sign of wear or residual funk.

The main tick in the con side of the ledger? Price. Patagonia’s wetsuits aren’t cheap. However, they do outlast many competitors; buy cheap, buy twice, as they say. Also, all wetsuits are covered by Patagonia’s “Ironclad Guarantee,” which essentially states that if you’re not stoked on the gear, you can bring it to a Patagonia store for a repair, replacement, or refund (within reason).

The verdict: Pricey, but completely worth it. The Patagonia R3 is warm, durable, and much better performing than previous renditions of Yulex suits.

French surf and snow outfitter Picture Organic’s motto — “Ride. Protect. Share.” — is on full display with its new Equation 4/3 ($335).

Ride: That’s easy enough, the Equation’s a high-quality wetsuit designed for ripping waves. Protect: The Equation is crafted from Eicoprene, a sustainable blend of limestone neoprene, chopped up tires, and oyster shells, as well as a recycled polyester lining. And finally, Share: Just look at the price tag — the Equation costs over a hundred bucks less than the rest of the eco-minded options in this guide. It’s built, no doubt, for the asses of the masses.

Granted, we’ve got to point out that while limestone neoprene is petroleum free, it does have a higher environmental footprint than some of the next-gen materials we discuss in other wetsuit reviews. However, the Equation is also affordable, giving boarders on a budget a chance to vote with their dollars.

On the water, the Equation outperforms its price tag, especially when it comes to pliability. The Eicoprene is super stretchy and lightweight, enabling full, unfettered range of motion, whether you’re walking the nose, working on your backside hacks, or simply dialing in your take-offs. The 3D-knit recycled polyester liner is soft against the skin, and the textured knit helps trap heat too. On that front, though, it’s worth noting that all that stretchiness does come at the cost of some warmth.

If you are a beginner, an intermediate who doesn’t surf regularly, or on the skinny side, the “comfort zones” padded sections on the chest will help reduce chances of bruised and beat-up ribs (and egos). Lastly, while we haven’t had as much opportunity to test the Equation compared to some of the wetsuits we’ve included in this article, durability seems solid so far thanks to glued, blind-stitched, fully taped seams, knee pads, and overall attention to detail.

The verdict: The Equation is stretchy, affordable, and a solid choice for the budget- and comfort-conscious crowd. Plus, it incorporates some sustainable materials, instead of standard neoprene.

If you’re a backcountry skier, mountaineer, trail runner, or the like, chances are you’re familiar with Norrøna. If you’re solely a surfer, it’s possible you’ve never even heard of the brand. However, Norrøna should be on your radar, especially if your surf sessions are often accompanied by snow storms and arctic conditions.

For the unfamiliar, the brand’s been a go-to outfitter for European adventurers since 1929, but as of late, Norrøna’s commitment to technical performance has been drumming up a cult-like following in North America too. In tandem, the brand launched its lineup of wetsuits purpose-built for the frigid breaks of Scandinavia in 2017, updating it again in 2020.

We got a chance to test Norrøna’s Unstad Hooded Wetsuit ($599) this winter surfing the only place in California that merits a 6mm wetsuit: Lake Tahoe. As winds topped 40 mph, air temps plummeted well below freezing and water temps hovered just over 41 degrees, we were toasty as could be in the Unstad.

So toasty, in fact, that we could’ve handled a further plunge toward freezing, no problem. After drifting a few hundred yards due to the current, we actually had to bootpack (or is it bootiepack if you’re surfing?) through thigh-deep snow to get back to the road. Between the Unstad and the $99 Unstad 8mm booties (yes, 8 mm is not a typo) we were testing, we had no trouble. And speaking of Unstad, the booties deserve a bigger mention. Thicker than San Francisco fog, a heaving Teahupo’o lip, and Italo Ferreira’s sweat-slick, these cold-weather surf slippers are the warmest booties we’ve ever worn. While you won’t feel your toenails biting into wax, grip is still surprisingly decent thanks to the diamond-patterned rubber sole and split-toe design. To complete the whole ensemble, check out Norrøna’s 5mm gloves ($69).

Warmth in this suit comes courtesy of Naturaprene, a more environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-reliant neoprene sourced from rubber trees in Asia. The insulating material is sandwiched between recycled polyester laminates, which add durability to the wetsuit exterior and make the liner velvety to the touch and comfortable against the skin.

Even a 5/4 wetsuit can make you feel stiff, clumsy, and slow, so we were nervous to see how the extra-thick Naturaprene would do, especially as many natural fibers aren’t as stretchy as traditional neoprene. However, the Unstad performed better than anticipated, offering enough mobility to scratch for short-period waves in the alpine bathtub that is Lake Tahoe. Much of that mobility comes from the targeted paneling — one of the major updates Norrøna made in 2020. While Norrøna calls it a 5.5/5/4 wetsuit, the design merits a detailed breakdown:

– 6mm Naturaprene supplies extra warmth where you need it most at the front and back of the core.

– 5.5mm Naturaprene covers the lower front, seat, thigh, and knees.

– 4.5mm Naturaprene on the shoulders balances warmth with range of motion.

– 4mm Naturaprene is in the brimmed hood.

– 3mm Naturaprene in the lower leg and armpits cuts weight.

The verdict: Compared to our favorite 5/4s, the Unstad is noticeably heavier (as expected). But on the contrary, mobility is better than you’d expect thanks to the care Norrøna put into the paneling and targeted thickness variation. Long story short, it’s one of the warmest wetsuits we’ve ever tested, and it’ll be our go-to anytime water temps drop toward freezing.

The biggest core surf brand to adopt Yulex yet, Billabong unveiled the zipperless 3/2 Furnace Natural ($450) in 2020. Billabong took Yulex and swam with it, adding a few fabric features of its own including a recycled jersey exterior interwoven with CiCLO fibers and a heat-trapping recycled graphene liner and paneling. The CiCLO fibers are particularly rad on the environmental front, as they help the wetsuit break down when compacted in a landfill.

Combined with the high-performance fit and paneling we expect from Billabong, the alchemical combo of fabrics affords the Furnace Natural a stretchiness that’s damn near indistinguishable from other top-of-the-line traditional neoprene wetsuits. It goes toe to toe with the best of ’em, that’s for sure. And thanks to the graphene liner, which our tester found ultra-soft and fleecy to the touch, the Furnace Natural is a primo pick for folks who chafe easily or have allergenic reactions to neoprene.

Our one critique of the Furnace Natural? It’s not quite as warm as other wetsuits we tested, but rather better suited for surfers who run hot, stay active in the lineup, or value stretch and premium performance over heat retention. If you’re between a 3/2 and a 4/3mm, aim high.

The verdict: Sporting the best stretch of any Yulex suit we’ve tested yet, the Furnace Natural is a top pick for surfers who don’t want to sacrifice a millimeter of mobility for the sake of Mother Earth.

No, it’s not a wetsuit. But for those looking for coverage in the millimeter-and-under range, Florence Marine X’s Hooded Rashguard ($70) is nothing short of wonderful.

If you’ve ever been on a surf trip to the tropics, sunscreen application is a Sisyphean pursuit — especially if the waves are firing. No one wants to paddle in or back to the boat to zinc up. The brainchild of pipeline virtuoso John John Florence and a solution for the perpetually peeling, the Hooded Rashguard is our new go-to for warm-water missions.

Crafted from a blend of recycled polyester and spandex, the hoodie is rated for 50+ UPF protection. It also provides a whisper of warmth and helps cut down biting offshore winds. The defining feature, though, is a three-panel, brimmed hood that I especially love. The hood is comfortable when wet, while a small visor crafted from recycled polyethylene that provides welcome shade in between sets. There’s also a handy boardshort tie loop — a pragmatic addition if the waves are heavy.

The verdict: Are surf hoodies kooky? Better question: Who cares? To paraphrase the great Ice Cube, protect yourself before you wreck yourself. Besides, if it’s good enough for the back-to-back world champ, it’s good enough for you. Surf longer and stay safe with this must-have addition to your surf trip wardrobe. If you’re not donning one of our favorite wetsuits, that is.