A list of our top 7 womens wetsuits to stay safe when in water [2023]
Once you try paddling or surfing, if you are anything like me, you know you are hooked for life. However, we in the northern hemisphere are quite limited to only a few months of enjoying the water all day long truly.
However, if you own a wetsuit, you can practically go into the water for swimming, surfing, paddling, or scuba diving whenever you feel like it.
This piece of equipment is there to keep you warm even 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 womens 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 a womens wetsuit and you think you can get away without one, let me try to change your mind by telling you all about a womens wetsuit and the benefits of owning one.
Why are womens wetsuits needed, anyway?
Well, although adults can withstand lower water temperatures, being in the water of 22 degrees Celsius or below becomes a drag even before the first wind blows. That way, learning a new water sport or simply enjoy paddling with friends won’t be so enjoyable anymore.
But with a wetsuit that feels like a second skin on you keeping you nice and warm, the situation suddenly becomes much, much better.
Womens wetsuits nowadays can be found in multiple models and styles as well as thicknesses, so you have the freedom to choose the right one for the expected water conditions.
Without keeping you away from the top 7 picks of wetsuits for women, if you want to understand why you need a wetsuit truly, I will take you back to read how wetsuits work.
If you read that article, you will have a much better understanding of how wetsuits work. To summarize, for the sake of being practical and in case you haven’t had the chance to read the article I linked, 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 womens 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 womens 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 Womens Wetsuit Works
First off, a womens wetsuit traps the body’s warmth and does not allow it to leave so easily thanks to the Neoprene and the heat-reflecting materials. The thickness of the wetsuit will determine whether those wetsuits for women 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 womens 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 womens 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 Wetsuit on
If you want to preserve your womens 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 womens 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 womens wetsuits, let’s briefly discuss sizing and wearing a wetsuit.
The two most important references in the sizing of a womens wetsuit are your height and weight.
Then you have the chest dimensions. These also need to be fitted correctly so that the wetsuit doesn’t press you or fits loosely. 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.
- 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. - On the other hand, if your women’s 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 wetsuits for women so that you don’t buy one that is too loose.
The Most Popular Brands for Womens Wetsuits
O’Neill
O’Neill is originally a Californian surf wear, and a 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 perfected 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.
Scubapro
Founded in 1963 by Gustav Dalla Valle and Dick Bonin, SCUBAPRO is among the icons in dive equipment. They build their models inspired by and for those who find their passion below the water’s surface.
SCUBAPRO today is the industry’s gold standard for innovation, performance, reliability, and durability.
The company’s products blend advanced technologies with intuitive, sophisticated designs, allowing divers to focus on their dive experience, not their gear. Apart from wetsuits and other divewear, this company develops regulators, dive computers, BCDs, and thermal protection, along with a full line of scuba masks, fins, snorkels, gear bags, and scuba accessories.
You can learn more about the company here.
Billabong
From humble beginnings – founder Gordon Merchant started making board shorts in his home – Billabong has grown into a worldwide brand that offers a full range of gear for surfers. With their advanced technologies and intuitive, sophisticated designs, Billabong means quality, durability, and a commitment to board sports. You can learn more about the company here.
Seavengers
For over a decade now, Seavengers is committed to producing high-quality, durable dive and surfwear that takes adventure to the next level. Among the surfing and water sports-loving community, they are a trusted and well-known brand that puts safety as the vanguard in their designing process. Their water gear is dependable but stylish, and everyone can find their own favorite piece of equipment. You can learn more about the company here.
Rip Curl
Founded in 1969 in Torquay Australia by Brian Singer and Doug “Claw” Warbrick, Rip Curl is one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands. It has been at the forefront of the surf and snow scenes since its creation.
Rip Curl is a designer, manufacturer, and retailer of surfing sportswear and accompanying products. It has also become a major athletic sponsor. The company has become one of the largest surfing companies in Australia, Europe, South America, North America, and South Africa. You can learn more about the company’s history here.
Womens Wetsuit Pick: The 7 Best Wetsuits for Women
O’Neill Women’s Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit
If you are looking for just the perfect balance of high-quality, durability, and performance, the latest version of the upgraded Reactor-2 is your best pick when it comes to buying a solid womens wetsuit.
With its Neoprene and smart mix of other materials, this womens wetsuit offers the right blend of stretch and durability. This means that you have a wetsuit engineered for performance that won’t hold you back and limit your movement in all your water endeavors.
An upgraded version of the much-loved Reactor line, the Reactor II is a womens wetsuit with wind-blocking smooth skin panels in the chest and back. These will keep your core reliably warm, no matter the water temperature or the conditions outside.
Then, there is the user-friendly back zip entry, which ensures quick and easy entry and exit of the womens wetsuit.
Let’s take a quick look at all the features the Reactor-2 womens wetsuit has to offer.
Key Features
- Back zip for easy changing
- Strategic seamless paddle zones for the utmost protection of every part of your body
It has an ergonomic, seamless undersleeve panel that allows for unrestricted motion, and it stops rashes from appearing. This flexible and unique design had minimized seam placement to maximize comfort. - Wind-proof smooth skin material that won’t limit your movement
Construction
- UltraFlex combination: The stretch factor is 150%
- Kyptro knee pads
These are abrasion-resistant pads that have a high-stretch neoprene panel with ergonomic shaping for comfortable durability. It also has an extended knee pad for added durability. - Flatlock-stitched breathable seams
This is the most popular method of sewn construction. The stitch uses 4 needles and 6 threads and works by overlapping the neoprene panels and sewing them together. It is a strong stitch and is very comfortable because it is flat, but it is not a sealed seam, so it is not intended for icy conditions. - 100% UltraFlex DS neoprene – a high-quality, performance-oriented super-stretch neoprene with a durable outer skin that resists velcro pulls and snags.
- High-quality fabric blend
This is a 3/2mm Ultra Flex, Fluid Foam Neoprene. A combination of mesh smooth skin with fluid foam neoprene and chest & back Dry seal smooth skin with fluid foam neck. It is designed with a YKK back zip system.
Performance Features
- If you capsize in chilly water, the smart material blend allows for protection against evaporative heat loss minimizing the chances for hypothermia.
- High-stretch 3/2mm neoprene forms to your body for a flexible, seamless fit.
- Minimal flat-seam construction prevents chafing and rashes.
- With its flexible Neoprene in sleeves and shoulders, you aren’t limited in your motion, and you have freedom of movement while paddling or surfing.
- There are slightly thicker neoprene panels in the chest and back area for enhanced insulation.
- The rear zipper secures fit, and a protective internal flap shields your skin from abrasion
- Hook-and-loop neck tab and long rear zipper pull ease dressing
- Abrasion-resistant, durable knee pads increase the life of the wetsuit and limit chafing
- You have a practical internal key pouch to store your belongings securely away from water
- Seamless paneling under sleeves promotes unrestricted motion and won’t irritate your skin
O’Neill recommends the Reactor 3/2mm Full wetsuit women use it for water temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C.
Abbs R., a verified customer, says:
“Loved that it kept me warm. Snorkeling in SoCal, water temp is around 60°+ this kept me warm and fit perfectly. I’m around 5’4″ and around 120/125. Be sure to follow the sizing directions, first true to weight and height recommendations. No awkward hugging around neck or chest. may not work for extremely curvy women, My chest and bottom are proportionate with my height.”