If you’re fortunate to live in Costa Rica or Hawaii or some other extravagant surfer’s paradise, your watersports “season” is a literal Endless Summer. Wetsuits might be a luxury or completely unnecessary. If, however, you live somewhere with actual seasons, the warm weather does, in fact, end at some point each year. In that case, you’ll likely need at least two wetsuits — one for summer (or what you call summer) and a heavier full-body suit for the shoulder seasons. Whether you’re shopping for a “shorty” to keep warm while surfing in cooler waters or you need a legit full-body wetsuit for cold-water freediving exploration, we’ve got you covered. These are the best wetsuits for men to shop in 2022.
Flatrock Wetsuits Sarvo Series 3/2mm Full-Length Steamer
Australia’s Flatrock Wetsuits sources its wetsuit materials from premium Japanese limestone. The result is a buttery soft neoprene that fits like a second skin and promises all-day comfort, no matter what you’re getting into. For cooler waters (57°F – 68°F), the Sarvo Series 3/2mm Full-Length Steamer is ideal. The brand warranties its suits for life. If yours ever tears or disintegrates — it won’t, by the way — Flatrock will repair or replace it free.
Henderson 7mm Greenprene Wetsuit
Henderson’s Greenprene wetsuit delivers the ultimate in cold-water protection. The 7mm thickness keeps warm in even the coldest New England waters. What’s more, the unique Greenprene material uses natural insulating foam and sustainable source materials like oyster shells and sugar cane in its construction. The result is a suit that’s soft, stretchy, durable, lightweight, and even hypoallergenic.
O’Neill Psycho Tech 3/2+ Full Wetsuit
If money is no object and only the best will do, O’Neill offers some of the world’s best wetsuits. The Psycho Tech 3/2+ Full Wetsuit is a serious suit for serious surfers. This premium shell combines the brand’s exclusive TechnoButter 3 neoprene with a Technobutter Firewall for the utmost protection and comfort. The “+” designation indicates an additional 0.5mm thickness for added warmth.
Vissla 7 Seas Gadoo 3/2 Full Suit
Vissla’s 7 Seas Gadoo features a streamlined design that’s equal parts modern and retro (note the classic racing stripes down the sleeve). It boasts much of the same protection as its thicker brethren, including abrasion-resistant knee pads, liquid tape cuff seals that prevent flushing, and patented tape for maximum seam sealing. Like every product in Vissla’s deep catalog, the 7 Seas Gadoo 3/2 Full Suit also boasts an eco-friendly construction. It’s crafted from sustainable materials like limestone-based neoprene and Bluesign-certified dyes.
Quiksilver 3/2 Syncro Back Zip GBS Wetsuit
That hand-me-down wetsuit your brother’s friend sold you for $50 is still a great deal. Warm, comfortable, durable, all-black, and always on sale somewhere. Just because it’s a budget-friendly buy, though, doesn’t mean it’s low-performance. The StretchFlight neoprene of this Quicksilver suit is made with extra air bubbles, while the WarmFlight lining reflects heat back to your body to simultaneously insulate and reduce weight.
Matuse Betz Full John
Made from ultra-flexible, sustainable Geoprene, this 2mm sleeveless wetsuit will send you rocketing through the final stage like a guided missile. Matuse’s sleek Betz Full John is reinforced with durable satin seal spot-taping to keep your suit leakproof and is constructed with Hydrasilk to make you sleek as a sea lion in the water.
Body Glove Phoenix 2mm Men’s Short-Arm Fullsuit
For milder days, sometimes a 2-mil suit does the trick. Body Glove’s Phoenix 2mm men’s short-arm is the closest thing to full-body protection in an ultra-lightweight, pared-down design. It’s the right thickness for adventuring in mid-60 to low-70-degree waters. The Magnaflex exterior material and Nano-tritec knee panels offer just enough protection for most typical surf and diving days.