Best Wetsuit Top to Keep Your Body Comfortable In the Water

The Best Wetsuit Top Models

Whether paddling, surfing, swimming, or doing any other activity in the water, picking a good wetsuit top to match with the rest of your wetsuit gear will keep your core warm and safe when in the water.

Wondering why you would need a vest? Well, sometimes, in warmer weather, you can’t have a full wetsuit on merely because it’s hot, and it can make you feel restricted. However, a thin protective wetsuit top that acts like a rash guard and a vest at the same time might be just the thing you need to protect you from the harmful UV rays and the wind.

After all, the long and short sleeve wetsuit top models I have picked are made from a high-quality and super-stretchy neoprene that feels like a second skin.

Considering buying one? Here are the most important things to look for in a wetsuit top so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing one.

How to choose the right wetsuit top for yourself?

Temperature Guidelines

Wetsuit top designs come in many different thicknesses and materials primarily tailored to the water temperature you will be in. If you notice, some of the models have don’t have any thickness listed because instead of neoprene, they use lightweight and quick-drying materials like nylon, Polyester or Spandex, and similar.

This doesn’t make them less quality but suitable for protection in warm weather. On the other hand, you can still go with a neoprene wetsuit top that is thinner (1 – 3 mm), which will give you the same UV protection, regulate your body temperature, and will protect against wind and cool water.

All in all, these vests are on the thinner side with more airflow to keep you from overheating while protecting your skin against burns.

As for neoprene, here are two general guidelines on temperature:

When paddling, swimming, or kayaking in a temperature of 16°C – 24°C or more (60°F – 75°F), then get a wetsuit top with a neoprene thickness from 1 to 3mm.

And if the water temperature is from 10°C or less to 18°C (50°F to 62°F), then you will need a neoprene gear with thickness from 5 to 7mm. At this point, I primarily recommend getting a full wetsuit on with boots, gloves and hood that will completely protect you from the elements.

With that said, whatever thickness or material you choose for your wetsuit top, one thing is certain! Do not wear cotton anywhere on your body when in water. Cotton clothing, even socks, take too long to dry, and while drying, they take away warmth from your body into the water or air. So until the cotton dries, you are constantly losing heat.

Neoprene, on the other hand, does the opposite.

How Neoprene Works?

Neoprene 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.

This is why most modern wetsuits use neoprene materials. It traps water between your skin and the material, which provides excellent thermal control. This is how it keeps you warm even in temperatures below 50 F or 15 C. However, to be effective, you have to get it to be completely fit on you so that it doesn’t flush the water out.

So, no matter the model, the design, color, or whatnot, the single most important consideration when buying a wetsuit top should be the temperature of the water you’ll be paddling in.

Getting the Best Wetsuit Top – Buyers Guide

Now that we have gotten the basics out of the way let’s talk about the different types of wetsuit tops, their construction, and the long vs. short sleeve wetsuit top models.

You see, a wetsuit top is a fantastic alternative to full-body wetsuits in summer. When you don’t want to wear too much gear on you and want to keep part of your body exposed, then a wetsuit top will give you just the right amount of protection without overheating you.

Here are all the different factors that amount to wetsuit tops.

Different Types of Wetsuit Tops

Primarily, there is the long sleeve and short sleeve wetsuit top that will dictate the temperature you are in most. The long sleeve wetsuit tops are great for optimum comfort and heat insulation when scuba diving or snorkeling. Even when in the summertime in hot temperatures, you will still be better off with such a design because underwater is always colder than outside.

 On the other hand, if paddling, kayaking, or surfing and you want some protection against the wind and sun but not that much, and you value your freedom of motion, then a short-sleeve wetsuit top will be a much better option.

Construction of Wetsuit Tops

Sleeves aside, there are differences in the construction that are also crucial because they can prevent or let water. They also amount to the overall durability of the wetsuit top.

Flatlock Stitching

In the flatlock stitching design, you have two neoprene pieces that are stitched on the seams together. You can notice it by the zigzag method of stitching. This construction is ideal for water activities when the weather is warmer because it provides exceptional breathability.

Glued and Blindstitched (GBS)

With the GBS method, you have neoprene segments glued together with a stitch halfway through the neoprene material. Although the flatlock stitching is pretty solid, the glued and blind stitched method is considered to provide higher quality in the construction.

Above that, it is watertight because it is glued to remove holes that might occur with the stitching. It also absorbs the minimum of water.

Welded Seam

The welded seam construction is a silicon-based seal that joints on the neoprene panels, and usually, the premium wetsuit and wetsuit gear have it. It guarantees 100% waterproof protection and, of course, comes at a higher price.

Overlock Stitching

If you are using your wetsuit top only in summer and you don’t care about thermal protection as much as you do for UV protection, then the overlock stitching is totally fine. Otherwise, it isn’t so effective at retaining water, and it tends to flush it out.

The most popular brands for neoprene tops

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 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.

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.

Neo Sport

As part of the Henderson Sport Group, NeoSport products come from a company founded in the 1960s. Since the beginning, Henderson Sport Group has specialized in diving gear, and up to date, they innovate in the field, becoming among the top companies for water sports equipment.

Hyperflex

Hyperflex Company is founded in 1965 and is a Division of Henderson Aquatics, Inc. They are among the largest Scuba Diving wetsuit manufacturer in the world.

With their 45+ years of patterning and neoprene materials experience, they strive towards creating the best possible wetsuit on the market for the best possible price. Their gear is warm and flexible, durable, and provides the highest comfort when wearing for prolonged periods. You can learn more about the company here.

The top 5 neoprene boots on the market

O’Neill Men’s Basic Skins UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard

O’Neill Men’s Basic Skins wetsuit top feels exactly like that, like a second skin. Its design provides high-level protection of UPF 50+ and has minimal seam placement to protect your skin from rashes during your water activities.

This way, the rash guard can be worn on its own for optimal protection from the sun during warmer weather. Or even under a drysuit or a wetsuit as an additional warm layer to prevent the dry suit from irritating your skin.

Speaking of protection, this wetsuit top is a Skin Cancer Foundation Recommended Product with its UPF 50+ Ultraviolet Protection and minimal heat absorption, so you don’t have to worry about spending an entire day under the sun practicing your surfing or paddling.

I know how addictive all these watersports can be, and once you start, you cannot stop, so having such a protective wetsuit top makes things a lot easier.

Made of durable a combination between Polyester and Spandex, it shapes against your