The 10 Best Wetsuits for Women of 2022
By: Stew Langner: Surf Buyer | June 2, 2022
As the popularity of cold-water surfing grows, we’re starting to see an expansion of options for women’s specific wetsuits. This is a welcome change, as the offerings in this realm have been a bit thin in the past. As usual, you’ll want to do a little research into the water temps at your local break or surf trip destination before choosing a wetsuit. We’ve got offerings that will stave off a morning chill in SoCal or Baja, all the way to hooded 5/4s capable of keeping you warm during winter swells on the East Coast.
New This Year:
Most of the offerings on this list are fairly easy on the wallet, meaning you’ll have some extra cash for a breakfast burrito on the way to the break! Additionally, all of the best women’s wetsuits feature a women’s specific fit, and one is even from a brand that only makes women's wetsuits. So grab your neoprene ladies and meet us at the beach, any time of year!
This Year's Best Women's Wetsuits:
Billabong 5/4 Synergy Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit
Summer has come and gone quicker than expected, but the surfing stoke never ends. Catch waves year-round in the Billabong 5/4 Synergy Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit. With 5/4mm of hooded protection, you can laugh in the face of cold air and cold water. As a bonus, Billabong has been at the forefront of using more sustainable materials and processes in its suits. The exterior fabric, neoprene, and lining fabric all feature recycled elements, while the taped and blind-stitched seams will keep this suit in rotation for multiple years to come.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 5/4 mm | Chest Zip | $249.95 |
Rip Curl 4/3 Dawn Patrol Back Zip Wetsuit
The Rip Curl 4/3 Dawn Patrol Back Zip Wetsuit provides the same high-end neoprene and thermal lining as Rip Curl's top-shelf surf wetsuits, but with an easy entry back zip design and a friendly price tag. For everyday riding in cooler waters, this suit offers some of the best bang for your buck. Even at this lower price point, Rip Curl uses their extra flexible and fast-drying E5 neoprene throughout. We’d recommend this suit for budget and comfort-minded surfers looking to stave off a chill.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 4/3 mm | Back Zip | $269.95 |
Roxy 3/2 Syncro Back Zip Wetsuit
Made for those who love water in every form and need a wetsuit that does, too. The lightweight Roxy 3/2 Syncro Back Zip GBS Wetsuit maintains heat with WarmFlight® thermal fleece lining and triple GBS seams to keep warmth in and water out. The durable Supratex knee pads give you added protection for paddling, sand, or just some added comfort. Roxy uses limestone-based neoprene in this suit as well. It’s lighter, faster drying, and easier on the environment than traditional neoprene. This is the best suit for the style-minded surfer who frequents chilly, but not outright cold waters.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 3/2 mm | Back Zip | $184.95 |
Roxy 5/4/3 Syncro Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit
The Roxy 5/4/3 Syncro Chest Zip GBS Hooded Wetsuit was made for those who refuse to let the colder months keep them out of the water. Made to withstand the coldest temperatures in the Roxy Syncro line, this wetsuit is equipped with a Thermal Smoothie fleece lining and durable triple GBS seams with StretchFlight tape for a water-tight seal. Designed to keep you warm year-round with an added hood for those extra chilly days. To sum up, this is a hooded, 5/4/3, with glued and blind stitched seams, interior taping, AND limestone-based Stretchflight 2 Neoprene, for under $200. We might buy a couple before Roxy realizes how good of a deal this really is.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 5/4/3 mm | Chest Zip | $199.95 |
Rip Curl 5/4 Dawn Patrol Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit
If you're a cold water surfer who gets their kicks on big, frosty swells, then the Rip Curl 5/4 Dawn Patrol Chest Zip Wetsuit is your everyday aquatic skin. Made of flexible E5 Neoprene and backed by E5 flash lining and E4 thermo lining, you'll be as warm and toasty as the trail of fire you left behind you on the wave. Taped, glued, and blindstitched seams mean you can stretch your sessions a bit longer, as well as get multiple seasons of use out of this suit. Best for die-hard dawn-patrollers who are interested in surfing more than bells and whistles.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 5/4 mm | Chest Zip | $319.95 |
O'Neill 3/2 Bahia Back Zip Wetsuit
The Bahia line is designed for a new generation of athletes who are dedicated to bringing beauty, personality, and confidence to the water. Keeping with that same heart, O'Neill crafted a high-quality wetsuit that's perfect for bringing your unique style into your surfing. Made with rider-minded Ultraflex, the O'Neill 3/2 Bahia Back Zip Wetsuit features tightly woven neoprene that traps your body heat, keeping you warm and comfortable throughout your session. With seamless paddle zones throughout the shoulders and reinforcements to the knee, this suit is best-fitted for surfers dedicated to staying out longer. Oh, and grab one of the unique colorways if you want to stand out in the lineup!
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 3/2 mm | Back Zip | $134.95 - $149.95 |
Rip Curl 5/4 Flashbomb Steamer Hooded Wetsuit
The Rip Curl 5/4 Flashbomb Steamer Hooded Wetsuit takes care of your warmth needs while you take care of business in cold waters. With E6 Neoprene, an E6 Flash Lining, and a chest zip entry, you can trust this wetsuit to keep you in the surf and keep the shivers to a minimum. While this suit bucks the lower-price point trend of this list, we can attest that the juice is worth the squeeze. Fully glued, blindstitched, and internally taped seemed, paired with a full fuzzy interior lining makes this one of the warmest and most comfortable suits on the market.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 5/4 mm | Chest Zip | $499.95 |
Sisstrevolution 2/2 7 Seas Long Jane Front Zip Spring Suit
Fear not, the Sisstrevolution 2/2 7 Seas Long Jane Front Zip Spring Suit is here to save the session - having your arms free to move is a game-changer when it comes to getting back in the lineup for more! When the water's warm, there's not much you can't do in this comfy spring suit. This 100% limestone-based neoprene suit is the perfect compliment for your summer and fall dawn patrols where the water isn’t quite warm enough for just a suit!
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 2/2 mm | Front Zip | $110 |
O'Neill Bahia 2/1mm Back Zip Long Sleeve Springsuit
For ages, O'Neill has been a powerhouse in the world of women's surfing. Staying on brand, the O'Neill Bahia 2/1mm Back Zip Long Sleeve Springsuit pairs up the quality that women need to push their skill and a unique style to bring personality to the water. Featuring Ultraflex Neoprene and a minimal seam design that puts lesser wetsuits to shame, this wetsuit is movable, comfortable, and won't set limits to your paddle. If you surf somewhere where the air is often cooler than the water, or just want some extra sun or reef protection the Bahia would be a great fit for you.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 2/1 mm | Back Zip | $129.95 |
Billabong Salty Dayz Light Long Sleeve Springsuit
Drop into the summer surf in the Billabong Salty Dayz Light Long Sleeve Springsuit. The convenient front zip makes changing a breeze, and the cool animal print will have you looking fast in the waves, even if you're just a kook. With 1mm of neoprene, this is just a small step up from a bathing suit, but you’d be surprised at the comfort and warmth that entails, especially if you’re the type to make out in the lineup before the sun does.
| Thickness | Entry Style | Original Price |
| 1 mm | Front Zip | $115.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Surf Guides:
- Surfboards - How to Choose a Surfboard
- Surf Fins - How to Choose
- Surf Leashes - How to Choose
- Surf Traction Pads - How to Apply
- Wetsuits - Thickness Guide & Temperature Chart
- Wetsuits - How to Put On
- Wetsuits - Repair and Care Guide
Check Out Our Favorite Surf Gear
The Selection Process:
Our surf buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things surfing stemming from years of experience in the surf industry in tandem with their countless hours out in the water catching waves around the world. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
