Favourite Wetsuit Brands for Women

Finding the right wetsuit as a female surfer can be a bit of a puzzle. Is it warm enough? Is it flexible enough? Does it actually fit my shoulders and my hips? And how much of my rent should I spend on a wetsuit?

Over the years, I’ve tried quite a few different wetsuit brands. I’ve been surfing for almost two decades and I’ve been wearing them during the summer seasons when I was teaching.

Some lasted for years, some didn’t. Some felt like a second skin, while others made paddling feel like churning butter.

But a wetsuit fit is incredibly personal. What works great for my body might not work for yours.

So, rather than giving you a generic list of the “best wetsuit brands for women,” here are my personal favourites (and a few brands I’m less enthusiastic about) based on my own experience as a female surfer and surf instructor.

PS Buying a board too? Check out my tips for choosing your first surfboard.

Here are 7 of my fave wetsuit brands for women

1. SRFACE wetsuits

Ok, number one is SRFACE. This is my current wetsuit brand and, so far, my favourite.

What I like most is the combination of flexibility, warmth and fit. My SRFACE wetsuit feels comfortable when paddling and doesn’t restrict my shoulders. It also keeps me warm enough for surfing in colder European waters.

I’ve only had one small issue with mine: the seam around the crotch started coming loose on the inside. This may well have something to do with the fact that I, like many surfers, occasionally (if by “occasionally” you mean every session 😂) pee in my wetsuit.

It hasn’t caused any holes or leaking, though, and I just cut away the loose piece of fabric on the inside. Apart from that, the suit has held up really well.

Another thing I like about SRFACE is that they offer quite a few different fits and price points. Their current women’s range includes everything from the more affordable Lite to the higher-end Remix, as well as a Yulex-based Eco range.

Pros: Great fit, very flexible, good balance between warmth and flexibility
Cons: The inside seam around the crotch came loose on mine
Price: Around €250–€400 for a 4/3, depending on the model.
Shop: Srface.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Patagonia wetsuits

Patagonia is definitely my number two, and actually, it could share the first place with SRFACE.

I’ve always loved Patagonia’s focus on environmental responsibility and better materials, and the Patagonia wetsuit I owned was exceptionally well made.

Patagonia’s current wetsuits use Yulex natural rubber rather than conventional neoprene, and the brand puts a lot of emphasis on recycled materials, responsible manufacturing and Fair Trade production.

The only thing I wasn’t completely happy with about my old Patagonia wetsuit was the fit around the armpits. I experienced some chafing there, because it didn’t have sleeves (I used it in warmer weather). That’s probably more about that particular design than the brand itself.

And there’s one little downside: Patagonia wetsuits aren’t cheap. Their current women’s full wetsuit range is definitely in the premium price category.

Pros: Excellent quality, great environmental credentials, durable materials
Cons: Expensive; check the fit carefully around the shoulders and armpits
Price: Around €480 for a current full-length Yulex wetsuit.
Shop: Patagonia.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. Roxy wetsuits

I’ve worn Roxy wetsuits for many years, and overall I’ve had a really good experience with them.

When I was teaching surfing full time, I wore my wetsuit throughout the summer seasons. It lasted for years before I eventually started getting a small hole around the shoulder.

However, compared with SRFACE, I found Roxy a little tighter, particularly around the shoulders. This might be because Roxy’s target group are still young girls. And I am not.

Pros: Flexible, stylish, good durability
Cons: Can feel tight around the shoulders or hips
Price: Around €200–€300 for a 4/3, depending on the model
Shop: Roxy.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

4. Rip Curl wetsuits

I’ve heard from tall female surfers that Rip Curl works well for longer bodies and legs. One of my friends is quite tall and swears by Rip Curl wetsuits for exactly that reason.

For me, the legs tend to be a little too long. So while I really like the look and overall quality of Rip Curl wetsuits, they aren’t my favourite fit.

The brand does offer quite a range of women’s 4/3 wetsuits, from the more affordable Dawn Patrol to the higher-end E-Bomb and FlashBomb models. Their current 4/3 range is designed for roughly 10–17°C water, depending on the model.

Pros: Good quality, nice designs, good option for taller women
Cons: The legs are a little too long for my body
Price: Roughly €250–€450+ for a 4/3, depending on the range
Shop: Ripcurl.eu

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Billabong wetsuits

I love Billabong’s style. Their colours, patterns and designs are often a little more fun than the classic black wetsuit.

Billabong has different ranges at different price points, and the higher-end models offer much more flexibility and technical features than their entry-level suits.

Pros: Great designs and colours, good range of price points
Cons: Can be a bit pricey
Price: Around €200–€350 for a 4/3, depending on the model
Shop: Billabong.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

6. O’Neill wetsuits for women

O’Neill was actually my very first wetsuit. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave me with the best first impression. After only a few months, it tore around the shoulder.

I also think that the neoprene was quite stiff compared with my current SRFACE wetsuit, which made paddling feel less comfortable.

That said, O’Neill has developed its wetsuits considerably since then, and I’ve heard good things about the Hyperfreak range, particularly when it comes to flexibility.

So this is one where I’d say: it’s not one of my absolute favourite wetsuit brands for women, but the newer models may be a different story.

Pros: Good reputation for newer high-performance models, Hyperfreak is known for flexibility
Cons: My older O’Neill wetsuit wasn’t very durable and felt relatively stiff
Price: Around €250–€400 for a 4/3, depending on the model
Shop: Oneill.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

7. Janga wetsuits

What initially attracted me to Janga was the colour. Coz… who doesn’t love a wetsuit in leopard print?! 

I actually checked out Janga wetsuits in a shop because I really liked the idea of wearing something a little more colourful.

However, I wasn’t completely convinced by the material when I tried them on. For me, the neoprene felt relatively stiff.

I’ve also come across some less positive user experiences regarding flexibility. That doesn’t mean every Janga wetsuit will have problems, but it’s something I’d keep in mind if you’re mainly looking for performance and longevity.

Pros: Fun colours and prints, much more personality than the average black wetsuit
Cons: Felt relatively stiff to me; some mixed experiences with durability
Price: Around €300 for a 4/3
Shop: Janga.com

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐

So, what is the best wetsuit brand for women?

Well, SRFACE and Patagonia are definitely both my fave wetsuit brands for women, but in the end, SRFACE wins.

For me, the combination of fit, flexibility, warmth and price is hard to beat. I spend a lot of time paddling and surfing, so having a wetsuit that doesn’t restrict my shoulders makes a huge difference.

But your perfect wetsuit might be completely different.

If you’re tall, you might find that Rip Curl fits your body much better. If sustainability is your number-one priority, Patagonia is definitely worth looking at. And if you want something colourful and fun, Janga might be right up your street.

Most important is that your wetsuit should feel snug, but not restrictive. There shouldn’t be big air pockets or folds around your back, lower back or crotch, but you should still be able to paddle comfortably and move your shoulders freely.

And don’t be afraid to try on several brands. Women’s bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and wetsuit sizing definitely isn’t universal.

My favourite wetsuit brands for women

Brand	My take	Best for
SRFACE	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Best all-rounder
Patagonia	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Sustainability & quality
Roxy	⭐⭐⭐⭐½	Flexibility & style
Rip Curl	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Taller women
Billabong	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Style & colours
O’Neill	⭐⭐⭐½	High-performance models
Janga	⭐⭐⭐	Colour & personality

PS This post isn’t sponsored by any brand, including SRFACE. It’s based entirely on my personal experience and opinion, and I haven’t been paid to write it. Unfortunately. 😉

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