A list of our top 7 men’s and women’s plus size wetsuit picks to stay safe in water

Long gone are the days when we had two or three different models and people had to cross fingers and hope their wetsuit fits. Nowadays, we have a plethora of different models and dimensions that fit everyone for any occasion. This way, nothing stops you from trying and learning a new water sport.

And trust me when I say, once you try paddling, you know you are hooked for life. And what’s even better is that, if you own a wetsuit, you can practically go swimming, surfing, paddling, or scuba diving whenever you feel like it, any time of the year. Cold water can’t stop you!

The wetsuit is there to keep you warm when wet, so you don’t die of hypothermia in the cold waters. With that said, in this article, we are going to talk about the 7 plus size wetsuit picks, but if you want to know more about wetsuits in general and when they were invented, or why we need them, you are welcome to take a look at this post.

If you are still hesitant about buying this piece of gear and you think you can get away without one, let me try to change your mind by telling you all about plus size wetsuits and their benefits.

Why is a plus size wetsuit needed, anyway?

Paddling in cold waters in the morning isn’t fun at all, no matter how much you love the sport. Wetsuits, whether for kids or for adults protect you not only from the cold water but also the wind and sun that induces damage to your skin overall.

With a wetsuit that feels like a second skin on you, keeping you nice and warm, every weather situation suddenly becomes much, much better. If you want to understand why you need a wetsuit truly, I will take you back to read how wetsuits work.

Plus size wetsuit models nowadays can be found in multiple designs and styles as well as thicknesses, so you have the freedom to choose the right one for the expected water conditions.

With that said, here is an overview of how wetsuits work.

You see, when it comes to water and staying at a comfortable range of temperature, insulation is everything!

So, when we think of the second law of thermodynamics, it tells us that heat flows from warmer objects to colder ones and not vice versa. For instance, when the air temperature outside is 10°C, and your body is at 36°C, your body’s heat will travel towards to colder air, which will result in you feeling cold rapidly.

The same rule applies when you are in cold water.

Now, back to insulation and how it can save you from freezing and catching a cold. Namely, insulation is trapping warm air between layers of materials. We do this when we put a few layers of clothing on us, or we do it with Neoprene – a popular material used for wetsuits.

Neoprene, what?

Neoprene is a must-have in a wetsuit today. Without digging too deep into the chemistry of it, you should know that Neoprene, in XXXL wetsuits, is a carbon-based organic chemical-filled nitrogen gas bubbles inside. It is made of repeating building blocks called monomers, which trap heat more efficiently than any other material, even rubbers.

What to look for when buying a plus size wetsuit?

Apart from the model and sizing that you pick, look for these layers most typically found in a wetsuit:

• A layer of nylon or other soft fabric will stop the Neoprene from rubbing and chafing onto your body. It would be even better if you get yourself a separate rash west that will provide some extra insulation and keep the Neoprene away for a more comfortable feeling.
• A thin layer of a heat-reflecting material such as titanium, copper, silver, magnesium, or aluminum. These will bring back the heat as it leaves the body towards the colder water.
• A thick layer of Neoprene contains bubbles of nitrogen, which trap warm air and prevent it from leaving into the water. As I said before, this is one of the essential segments of a wetsuit.
• A durable outer finishing that repels water and is abrasion-resistant.

A summary of how a plus size wetsuit works

First off, it traps the body’s warmth and does not allow it to leave so easily through the Neoprene and the heat-reflecting materials. The thickness of the wetsuit will determine whether men’s and women’s plus size wetsuit can protect you from cold waters. So the thicker the suit is, the colder the water can be.

For more on the warmth and temperature of wetsuits, check out this wetsuit temperature guide.

The second benefit of a plus-size wetsuit is the buoyancy it adds to the water. There are air bubbles built in that keep you warm but also keep you afloat on the surface easily, which helps in the protection and safety when in water.

Lastly, a plus size wetsuit will give you higher hydrodynamics due to its SCS or Super Composite Skin coating. This coating is added to repel water from the surface of the suit allowing you to be lighter and faster in the water.

Sizing and Putting a Plus Size Wetsuit on

If you want to preserve your wetsuit for as long as possible and not damage it after a month of use, then you need to pick the right size for you but, even more importantly, to learn how to put a wetsuit on. This is key because otherwise, you will be putting too much pressure on the seams, and you might damage them prematurely. Check how to properly put a wetsuit on without damaging it.

Furthermore, getting the sizing right also plays a vital role in putting the wetsuit on as it should be. So, before moving onto the list with the 7 best plus size wetsuit picks, let’s briefly discuss sizing and wearing a wetsuit.

The two most important references in the sizing of a plus-size wetsuit are your height and weight.

Then you have the chest dimensions, which also need to be fitted correctly so that the wetsuit doesn’t press you or fits loosely too much. If you get the chest size wrong, you will probably have a tough time getting into the wetsuit, or it could feel significantly constricting in the arms, which will not be ideal for paddling or any other activity in the water.

One of the two scenarios are possible when you don’t get you wetsuit sizing right:

1. If you get a poorly-fitted wetsuit and it is too small, you will find your movement restricted, and you will not be as comfortable as you should be. In this case, you won’t be able to wear anything below the wetsuit, and here you can see why I recommend wearing undergarments (read my article “What to Wear Under a Wetsuit“), then a suit too small will start rubbing against the skin and chafing. Plus, when putting on a wetsuit that’s too tight, a lot of stress is placed on the internal seams causing them to leak and break down faster and thin out the Neoprene.
2. On the other hand, if your plus size wetsuit is too big, then it will be easy for you to put it on, but the whole water leakage system won’t work correctly. Instead of letting a little bit of water inside and not flushing it out in order to warm you up, it will continuously be flushing out the warm water and letting new cold water in. That would be as if you aren’t wearing any suit at all.

Note that a wetsuit loosens after a few times of wearing it, so keep that in mind when buying big and tall wetsuits to not buy one that is too loose.

The Most Popular Brands for Women’s Wetsuits

O’Neill

O’Neill is originally a Californian surfwear and surfboard brand started in 1952 by Jack O’Neill. The man perfected the first wetsuit in the 1950s, and since then, O’Neill has been at the forefront of not just developing high-performance wetsuits but surfing as a whole. Being popular for almost 70 years now, the brand has expanded towards a clothing line, but they have also evolved their water suits line for men, women, children, and plus-size models. Combining a classic feel with groundbreaking technologies at its exclusive Area 52 facility, O’Neill is always ahead of the game when it comes to wetsuit feature possibilities. You can learn more about the company here.

ZKESS

Originally a lady’s clothing brand, this company has developed its line of beach and swimwear internationally. They have stylish models that fit everyone’s taste when it comes to bold and block-colors with fashionable designs.

SeaSkin

Shenzhen Seaskin Sports Goods Co., Ltd. is one of the professional diving products and wetsuits factories in China. Seaskin Wetsuit factory was founded in 2010 and located in Dongguan city started off with a focus on wetsuits, rash guards, and accessories. The factory covers an area of 4,000 square meters and is fully devoted to the research and development of reliable and high-quality dive wear. You can learn more about the company here.

CtriLady

CtriLady is a swimwear company that had developed many different products such as full-body diving suits, wetsuits, pants and shorts, sports accessories, and other water sports gear with unmatched quality and devotion to bringing your value-driven products. They have a large range of equipment, and everyone can find what they are looking for based on their needs, style, and preferences. You can learn more about the company here.

Plus Size Wetsuit Picks: The 7 Best Big and Tall Wetsuits

O’Neill Men’s Reactor 2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit

With the Reactor 2 you get a newly upgraded wetsuit with all its flaws eliminated and engineered in a high-performance, stretch, and durability yet in a value-driven package.

Construction:

• Designed with UltraFlex Neoprene in the sleeves gives you the freedom of movement. Your arms aren’t limited, and you can paddle and surf unobstructed.
• It has FluidFlex™ Neoprene in the core and legs for added warmth and durability no matter how long you stay in the water.
• Smoothskin Fluid Foam protects the neck area from water flowing through, and it adds comfort so that you don’t feel constrained.
• You get Flatlock stitching that creates breathable seams. This way, chafing and skin rashes are avoided. Also, the strategic seamless paddle zones are there to keep seams out of the areas where chafing might occur, and on top of that, you get more freedom for movement.
• Reactor 2 has a YKK® back-zip system with an adjustable single-seal collar.
• You get ergonomic knee protection through the Krypto Knee Padz.
• Reactor 2 has a cold water tolerance down to 60°F and offers UV protection so that you have unlimited time out in the open.

Key features:

• UltraFlex Neoprene rubber that’s incredibly softer and adds to your flexibility, elevating performance
• Thickness: 3/2mm
• Zipper closure
• The ideal entry-level wetsuit that’s perfect for surfing, diving, paddle sports, lake activities, and leisure beach days
• Backzip system provides easy entry and exit with a water-resistant closure
• Seamless paddle zones with flexible design utilize minimal seam placement for comfort and maximum mobility
• Wind-Resistant Smoothskin layer provides extra insulation and protection against the cold
• Back Zip – Easy Entry
• Adjustable Single Seal Collar
• Hidden Key Pocket
• Krypto Knee Padz
• Flatlock Stitched Breathable Seams

Layne R., a verified customer, says:

“Just a note on my credibility and expertise….I have longboard surfed Socal for the past 55 years and gone through dozens of wetsuits of