How to choose your wetsuit? The complete guide
Starting out or looking to upgrade your wetsuit? This guide explains how to choose the right neoprene wetsuit based on your discipline, the season and your budget. We cover kitesurfing, surfing, wakeboarding and SUP — in Belgium and elsewhere.
Why a neoprene wetsuit?
The principle is simple: the wetsuit lets a thin layer of water in between your skin and the neoprene. Your body warms that water, and the neoprene’s insulation keeps the heat in. Result: you stay warm even in the cold North Sea.
Without a wetsuit, a session in Belgium lasts 15 minutes before your lips turn blue. With the right wetsuit, you can ride for 2-3 hours no problem, even in deep winter.
Which thickness to pick?
Thickness is given in millimetres, often with notation like 4/3mm — meaning 4mm at the torso (where you need warmth) and 3mm at the arms and legs (where you need mobility).
Thickness chart for kitesurf, surf and SUP
| Water temperature | Thickness | Season in Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 18-23°C | 1-2mm or shorty | Summer (July-August) |
| 13-18°C | 3/2mm | Late spring, early autumn |
| 9-14°C | 4/3mm | Autumn, spring |
| 8-12°C | 5/4/3mm | Mild winter |
| Below 8°C | 6/5/4mm + accessories | Deep winter |
In Belgium, the water goes from 5°C in winter to 20°C in summer. The most versatile wetsuit is the 4/3mm — it covers the majority of the year (March to November). For winter, a 5/4mm with hood, gloves and booties is essential.
For wakeboarding in cable park
In a cable park, you fall less often and you’re less exposed to wind than in kite. You can drop a step in thickness compared to the chart above. A 3/2mm is often enough from April to October.
Notation explained
- 3/2mm = 3mm at torso, 2mm at arms and legs
- 5/4/3mm = 5mm at torso, 4mm at legs, 3mm at arms
- 1-2mm = uniform thickness of 1 to 2mm everywhere
How to choose the right size?
A wetsuit too big = water flowing everywhere = you’re cold. A wetsuit too small = you can’t move = you tire yourself out.
The 3 check points
- Armpits: no fold, no excess fabric. If it gapes, it’s too big.
- Knees: the reinforcements should land right on your kneecaps.
- Ankles and wrists: the wetsuit should reach about 1 finger above the ankle and wrist bone.
How to try it on
The wetsuit grips you when you try it on dry — that’s normal. Neoprene relaxes in water and with use. You should be able to breathe normally and move your arms, but it should be tight without any folds.
Take your measurements (chest, waist, weight, height) and check the manufacturer’s size guide. Each brand has its own sizes — an M at O’Neill isn’t an M at Rip Curl.
Tip: if your size is right everywhere except arms/legs too short, look at LT (Large Tall) models — designed for tall, slim builds.
The wetsuit types
| Type | Description | When |
|---|---|---|
| Full suit | Long sleeves, long legs | Autumn, winter, spring |
| Shorty | Long sleeves, legs above the knee | Summer, mild water |
| Short John | Sleeveless, short legs | Hot summer, cable park |
| Long John | Sleeveless, long legs | Mild mid-season |
Winter accessories
Below 10°C, the wetsuit alone isn’t enough. You need:
- Neoprene booties (3-5mm) — essential from autumn onwards
- Gloves (3-5mm) — when your fingers stop responding
- Hood or hooded wetsuit — you lose 30% of your heat through the head
Winter accessories budget: 100 to 200€.
The closures
| Type | Pro | Con |
|---|---|---|
| Front zip (chest closure) | Better seal, less flush | Harder to put on |
| Back zip (back closure) | Easy to put on | Less watertight, possible flush |
| Zipperless (no zip) | Maximum seal | Pain to get on/off |
For kitesurfing in Belgium, front zip is the best compromise — you need watertightness with the wind and the falls.
Classic vs eco-friendly neoprene
Classic neoprene is petroleum-based (polychloroprene). Today, most brands offer “nature prene” — limestone-based instead of petroleum, with solvent-free glues.
Brands that have made the switch: O’Neill, Rip Curl, Prolimit, Picture, Patagonia, Billabong. There’s no quality or durability difference — it’s just better for the planet.
Picture even uses hevea rubber (plant-based) as a neoprene alternative. It’s a French 100% eco-friendly brand.
Which brand to pick?
Depends on your discipline and budget.
For kitesurfing and surfing
| Brand | Price range | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| O’Neill | 150-500€ | The pioneer, consistent quality |
| Rip Curl | 200-500€ | Flashbomb = warmth reference |
| Prolimit | 150-450€ | Dutch brand, good value for money |
| ION | 200-500€ | Kite specialist, technical cut |
| Picture | 250-500€ | 100% eco-friendly |
| Billabong | 150-450€ | Custom design option |
For wakeboarding
The same brands work. Mystic and ION are particularly popular in wake. In a cable park, the wetsuit takes more hits (obstacles, cable) — go for a model with knee reinforcements.
For kids
Most major brands offer kid sizes from 8-12 years old. Prolimit goes down to 2XS. For the smallest, Decathlon offers affordable kids’ wetsuits — enough to start.
How much does it cost?
| Range | Price | For who |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | 100-180€ | Beginners, occasional sessions |
| Mid-range | 200-350€ | Regular riders |
| High-end | 400-600€ | Frequent sessions, extreme conditions |
Tip: a mid-range wetsuit at 250-300€ is the sweet spot for most riders in Belgium. It lasts 2-3 seasons with proper care.
Maintaining your wetsuit
A well-maintained wetsuit lasts 3 times longer. The two enemies of neoprene: salt and sun.
After every session
- Rinse with cold fresh water (inside and outside)
- Rinse the zipper (sand destroys it)
- Dry in the shade on a proper hanger, not in the sun
- Dry inside-out first (interior), then turn it back
What never to do
- Washing machine — destroys the neoprene and seams
- Tumble dryer — same deal
- Drying in the sun — UV damages the fibres
- Hot water — deforms the neoprene
- Leaving it in the car boot — guaranteed stink
Deep clean
Every 5-10 sessions, wash your wetsuit with a neoprene shampoo (Rip Curl “Piss Off” type or equivalent). Fill a tub with cold water, add the product, leave to soak 10 minutes, rub gently, rinse thoroughly.
Repairing your wetsuit
A small hole or tear? No need to buy a new one. With neoprene glue (5-15€), you fix it in 10 minutes:
- Open the tear with clothes pegs
- Apply glue on both sides with a brush
- Press the edges together
- Leave to dry 1 hour flat
For bigger holes (2€ coin size or more), add a neoprene patch on the inside. Cut a circle, glue it, place a weight on top, leave to dry.
Recycling your wetsuit
Your old wetsuit doesn’t go in the bin. Several options:
- Rip Curl + TerraCycle: bring your wetsuit (any brand) to a Rip Curl retailer → -15% on your next purchase. It’ll be recycled into playground flooring.
- Soöruz: collection points in kite and surf schools in France and Belgium → turned into pellets for cushions, beanbags, punching bags.
- Captain’Neo: upcycling into fashion accessories (bags, bow ties, sleeves). Over 6 tonnes recovered since 2017.
Summary
| Criterion | Recommendation for Belgium |
|---|---|
| Versatile thickness | 4/3mm (March to November) |
| Winter thickness | 5/4mm + accessories |
| Closure | Front zip |
| Budget | 250-300€ mid-range |
| Neoprene | Eco-friendly (same price, same quality) |
| Maintenance | Rinse after every session, dry in the shade |
The wetsuit is the most important investment for a rider in Belgium. Take the time to choose well — your next winter session will thank you for it.
