Wetsuit Size Chart
What Size Wetsuit Do I Need?
If you look at different wetsuit manufactures, you will find wetsuits in a variety of sizes. Typically, a wetsuit manufacturer will use a letter to differentiate one size from another, similar to what you might find when looking for a t-shirt.
However, it is important to note that the sizes represented by those letters can change between different brands. O'Neill wetsuits, for example, have a different sizing chart than Cressi wetsuits.
It is very important to analyze the size chart for a particular brand before making your final purchase. the majority of wetsuit brands make wetsuit sizes that range from XXS to XXL.
If you see a wetsuit that says XL, for example then that is an extra-large size. An MT wetsuit is a medium-tall size. To utilize a wetsuit size chart properly, you will need to get your height, weight, and chest measurements.
Below, you will find an average wetsuit size chart to give you a better idea of what you will be looking at:
Size | XS | S | ST | MS | M | ML | MT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height | 5’4”-5’6” | 5′6″-5′8″ | 5′8″-6′0″ | 5′7″-5′9″ | 5′8″-5′10″ | 5′9″-5′11″ | 5′11″-6′1″ |
Weight | 125-140 | 135-150 | 145-160 | 145-160 | 155-170. | 165-180 | 165-180 |
Chest | 29” | 37″ | 37″ | 38″ | 39″ | 165-180 | 40″ |
Waist | 29” | 30½″ | 30½″ | 31½″ | 32½″ | 33½″ | 33½″ |
Size | LS | L | LT | XLS | XL | XLT | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Height | 5’7”-5’9” | 5′10″-6′ | 6′1″-6′3″ | 5′8″-5′10″ | 6′1″-6′3″ | 6′4″-6′6″ | 6′0″-6′3″ |
Weight | 165-180 | 175-190 | 185-200 | 175-190 | 190-205 | 205-220 | 6′0″-6′3″ |
Chest | 41″ | 41″ | 41″ | 43″ | 43″ | 43″ | 45″ |
Waist | 34½″ | 34″ | 34½″ | 36½″ | 36½″ | 36½″ | 38½″ |
This particular chart is based on men's wetsuit size charts. Men must take height, weight, and waist into account. Women, on the other hand, must take chest, waist, hips, and height into account when looking at size charts, as well as specific bust measurements.
At this point, you should be pretty comfortable when looking at a wetsuit size chart. However, there are a few other things you may want to keep in mind when looking at a wetsuit size chart.
For starters, you may not fit into a wetsuit, even if the wetsuit size chart says you should. We always recommend people go down to their local surf shop to try on different suits from different brands. Of course, if you don't have a local surf shop, that might pose a bit of a problem.
If you choose to order online, try to get an idea of the different chest, waist, height, and weight sizes of other buyers from their reviews. Once you have your correct height, weight, chest, and waist sizes, you'll need to consider other features, such as thickness, material type, and seam construction.
Here are some of our favorite wetsuit models on the market today.
The Best Wetsuits
Overview
Mens
Mens Fullsuit
Rip Curl might be one of the biggest names in the wetsuit game right now and this Fullsuit is a must-have for any high-performance surfer.
It is designed with 3/2 mm thickness and is ultra-lightweight, perfect for maintaining maneuverability when in the water.
Plus, it dries super fast too, so you never have to worry about having a stinky, moldy wetsuit lying around.
This particular suit uses E5 flash lining tape, a glued and blind-stitched seam, 100% external Aquaban Plus tape, and front and back mesh panels for comfort.
The E5 flashing lining is ultra-flexible, very similar to double-lined neoprene found in traditional wetsuits.
It provides a completely unrestricted experience, whether you are surfing, snorkeling, diving, or swimming.
Thanks to its full suit design, it provides warmth for the user. Many users say it is extremely warm, perfect for those who are often in colder climates.
On top of that, the E5 flash lining tape found in the arms provides added durability. You'll be able to stretch and bend without ever worrying about your wetsuit ripping.
Mens Springsuit
This Shorty 3mm spring suit for men is one of the best and most affordable spring suits on the market.
It comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from X-Small to 4X-Large.
This wetsuit for men was uniquely designed for aqua aerobics and water sports.
It utilizes a front zipper across the chest, past the waist, and to the knee, making it very easy to take on and off.
The suit itself provides UV protection and fits snugly against the body, protecting from debris and other biological irritants found in the ocean.
The material is highly durable neoprene, which provides complete heat insulation and stretchability.
The tough YKK front zipper won't ever break on you and isn't uncomfortable when lying down on the board on your chest.
For even more durability, this wetsuit uses flat-lock stitched seams. From comfort to warmth, you really get everything from this suit. It is the perfect choice for men who find themselves swimming, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, or diving in warmer waters.
Womens
Womens Fullsuit
The Women's 3mm Neoprene Fullsuit from Seavenger is an ultra-affordable yet a high-quality option for women to stay warm and comfortable in the water.
The wetsuit comes in a wide range of sizes for women of different height, weight, and waist categories, meaning you won't have a hard time finding the right size for your needs.
This suit makes use of high-performance 3mm neoprene, perfect for cold and warm waters.
We love the addition of the knee pads and shoulder pads, which provide a bit of extra strength and protection when surfing or using a BCD.
With comfortable flat-lock stitching, you don't ever have to worry about chafing.
You could potentially wear this wetsuit all day without ever feeling uncomfortable.
For a bit of additional flexibility, the wetsuit comes with neoprene panels in the armpits and knees. You can easily move around in the water without ever feeling constricted.
Lastly, the long leash and durable zipper make getting this suit on and off very easy. You can slip in and out in a matter of seconds.
Womens Springsuit
The O'Neill Women's Reactor-2 is the perfect 2mm spring suit for those who often find themselves in warm waters.
The suit is made out of high-quality neoprene, though comes at an entry-level price, great for those who don't want to dump hundreds of dollars into an expensive suit.
With that said, this particular wetsuit is ultra-versatile, perfect for diving, surfing, paddling, and beyond.
One of the things we really love about this suit is the back-zip entry.
You can easily get in and out of the suit in a matter of seconds without compromising its waterproof nature. The ultra-stretch neoprene is very soft and allows you to swim and paddle seamlessly.
We can't think of a spring suit on the market that has a better combination of value and comfort.
The Hevto 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit is an ideal choice for kids.
The way that this particular wetsuit size chart works is a bit different, as the size, height, and weight is determined by a number ranging from 4-16.
Compared to other size charts, it isn't as accurate, though many people boast about this wetsuit's excellent fit.
The suit is made out of environmentally-friendly SBR neoprene material and uses a back zipper closure with 3/2mm thickness.
Your child will feel all-around warmth with the tri-layer design. Thanks to the flat-lock stitching, they also will not have to deal with water flushing into the suit.
On the back, you'll find a high-quality metal zipper with hook and loop fasteners, which make the wetsuit very easy to take on and off. Overall, with its mix of value, high-quality materials, and innovative design, this is one of the best kids wetsuits on the market today.
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