The 5 Best Winter Wetsuits (2021/22)

Vissla 7 Seas 5​/4 Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit – The best winter wetsuit of all!

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: $314.95

“I only surf in Vissla suits now…it just guarantees quality” – A close friend told me that a couple of years back, before I’d even bagged my first rubber from this Aliso Viejo-based brand. Fast forward to today and you’ll find a couple V suits in my armory, including one of these 5/4 hooded bad boys in the 7 Seas range.

We’ll cut right to the chase: It’s incredibly good stuff. They’ve really stripped back on all the bells and whistles to focus on creating one of the best winter wetsuits on the market today. Or, as they eloquently put it over on their own site: “A top-of-the-line wetsuit…without all the bullshit marketing gimmicks.”

But there is some marketing gimmickry, only it really does work. Take the trademarked Brain Fuzz hollow lining in the thermal insulation. It’s a creative material that utilizes a plusher and thicker layer of fabric to do war against cold water and wind at the same time (wonderful if you’re going to be braving strong onshore conditions throughout the winter). Then there’s the aptly named Smoothy Panels, which help to meld together the chest and limb sections of the suit to reduce any joins that could let out heat.

We also particularly love Vissla’s big push towards eco-friendly rubber. It’s not quite up there with Patagonia yet, but this one does come fully fitted in Japanese limestone neo, has dope-dyed fabric to reduce water use, and stuck together with strong, solvent-free glue.

It’s our all-round top pick of the best winter wetsuits for the year for good reason!

Rip Curl 4​/3 Flashbomb

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: $419.95

The Flashbomb has been a staple in winter wetsuit arsenals since sometime around the turn of the millennium. Nope, it wasn’t O-Town’s new album that did it. It was about then that Rip Curl’s trademark E-rated neoprene got very good once again (we say once again because RC was one of the original pioneers of wetsuit tech back in the early days). It was probably the main reason the company garnered three Wetsuit of the Year awards running in 2012, 13 and 13.

We think that the improvements have only continued since then. The suit of 2021/22 is a real pearler and the model has been a top-of-the-range performance choice for some years now. It’s loaded with E6 rubber, the latest iteration of thermal stuff, and boy does it do a job. To be frank, we don’t think there’s all that much in it between the E5 and the E6, except there is extra flex here. The guys in the factory call it “Ferrari neoprene”, because it really is that fantastic.

The quality of the rubber base is backed up by a whole range of features aimed at making that winter surf more comfy. There are Smoothskin chest and mesh panels that reduce chafing at key contact points like the neck and shoulders. You get lining tape along the openings to cut out flushing. There’s even UV protection inbuilt in case it’s one of those unforgettable crisp winter days.

It’s a stunner of a suit but the price tag eases it just out of our top spot, making it a touch better for the more committed performance surfer.

Patagonia R3

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: $489

Rarely does a wetsuit evoke such emotion as the R3. It’s fair to say that this one pretty much took the surfing world by storm when it was first released. It’s still turning heads today and we often can’t help ourselves but paddle over a wearer and ask them how it’s holding up when we see someone paddling out with the Patagonia logo emblazoned on high.

All that’s down to the fact that Patagonia really rewrote the rulebook when the developed their all-new Yulex rubber back in 2016. It was gamechanger in more ways than one, lead by a fancy material entirely sourced from hevea trees. Let’s break it down….

First, Patagonia claimed that this all-new suit structure was up to 20% more flexible than previous limestone models. Then they managed to make them lighter than limestone neoprene by up to 5%. It dries faster, can be moulded better, and is said to be WAY more durable than its traditional compadres (something that mitigates that soaring price tag just a little).

We have to say, this is one SERIOUSLY balmy suit for the winter. Oh, and there’s another major plus: Patagonia’s Yulex R3s are the most environmentally friendly steamers going. They’re made from much more sustainable materials and sourced from plantations that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

To be honey, the only reason we don’t put it up at the top of our list is the money it costs to bag.

Women’s Billabong 5/4 Furnace Comp Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit (Women’s) – The top among best winter wetsuits for women

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: $389.95

Designed specially to match up against the hardest of the hard Pacific Northwest winter swells, the Furnace lives up to its name with some seriously heavy thermal technology. You’ll feel the bump that comes with the upcycled graphene lining, and you’ll notice a significant reduction in flushing from entry-level suits. The result is a full-body piece of rubber that warms up quickly and lets you stay in the water for longer.

The construction is 5/4mm, so there’s no worrying about thickness if you’re heading up Tofino way. And there’s hood attached, which we actually find folds down nicely for surfs where it might not be required.

All that comes at a bit of a price tag, though. You’re looking at nearly $400 for the lot. That’s why we put this one down as an intermediate-to-advanced surfer’s piece of kit. But it’s still great value for money, which is why it reigns top among the very best winter wetsuits for women in 2021/22.

XCEL 5​/4 Axis Hooded Wetsuit (Women’s)

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: $289.95

Xcel make fantastically thermal wetsuits that are all about heat retention and flex. And if that sounds like the perfect cocktail for a winter wetsuit, then that’s because it is! We’re actually huge fans of the Xcel Drylock, where the focus is on cutting out flushing (the exchange of cold water for heated water throughout surf sessions). However, it’s the Axis Hooded wetsuit that makes it onto our list of the best winter wetsuits for 2021/22. Why?

A few reasons. Firstly, the price. The damage here is neatly under the $300 mark, which means this is far more of an everywoman’s suit than many options from the flag-carrying brands, the Drylock included. However, we love that there’s not too much of a dip in the tech with the dip in the price. You still benefit from the exceptional suit construction, which involves composite seal technology and intelligent panel placement. You also benefit from the Japanese limestone neoprene that can keep you toasty in waters of between 48-56 F with ease.

We also love the fact that the hood comes attached. That’s great for this price tag, because head gear can cost upwards of $50. Plus it means you’ll never go losing your extra protection. Arguably the one downside is that the Axis sacrifices thermo qualities for a little flex, so can be hard to get on and off. Still, that’s often a plus point for female surfers who want to chase longer sessions.

• Vissla 4/3mm 7 Seas Chest Zip Mens Wetsuit – Our top winter wetsuit in the UK
• Rip Curl 4​/3 Flashbomb – The best suit for high-performance surfers
• Patagonia R3 – A super thermal suit that’s eco friendly
• Patagonia 3.5mm R2 Yulex (Women’s) – Patagonia make the best winter wetsuits for women in 2021/22
• Rip Curl 4/3mm Dawn Patrol Back Zip Women’s Wetsuit – A great entry-level women’s suit

Vissla 4/3mm 7 Seas Chest Zip Mens Wetsuit – Our top winter wetsuit in the UK

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: £255.00

“I only surf in Vissla suits now…it just guarantees quality” – A close friend told me that a couple of years back, before I’d even bagged my first rubber from this California-based brand. Fast forward to today and you’ll find a couple V suits in my armory, along with a particularly worn 4/3 7 Seas that I have worn season after season without any complaints.

We’ll cut right to the chase: It’s incredibly good. They’ve really stripped back on all the bells and whistles to focus on creating one of the best winter wetsuits on the market today. Or, as they eloquently put it over on their own site: “A top-of-the-line wetsuit…without all the bullshit marketing gimmicks.”

But there is some marketing gimmickry, only it really does work. Take the trademarked Brain Fuzz hollow lining in the thermal insulation. It’s a creative material that utilizes a plusher and thicker layer of fabric to do war against cold water and wind at the same time (wonderful if you’re going to be braving strong onshore conditions throughout the winter). Then there’s the aptly named Smoothy Panels, which help to meld together the chest and limb sections of the suit to reduce any joins that could let out heat. It’s also a really tight fitting suit, so flushing is rarely an issue.

We also particularly love Vissla’s big push towards eco-friendly rubber. It’s not quite up there with Patagonia yet, but this one does come fully fitted in Japanese limestone neo, has dope-dyed fabric to reduce water use, and stuck together with strong, solvent-free glue.

If we had to pick a downside here it would be that it’s a 4/3 and so not a winter wetsuit for the coldest of places, but then that does add flex you won’t get in other steamers.

Rip Curl 4​/3 Flashbomb

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: £389.99

The Flashbomb has been a staple in winter wetsuit arsenals since sometime around the turn of the millennium. Nope, it wasn’t O-Town’s new album that did it. It was about then that Rip Curl’s trademark E-rated neoprene got very good once again (we say once again because RC was one of the original pioneers of wetsuit tech back in the early days). It was probably the main reason the company garnered three Wetsuit of the Year awards running in 2012, 13 and 13.

We think that the improvements have only continued since then. The suit of 2021/22 is a real pearler and the model has been a top-of-the-range performance choice for some years now. It’s loaded with E6 rubber, the latest iteration of thermal stuff, and boy does it do a job. To be frank, we don’t think there’s all that much in it between the E5 and the E6, except there is extra flex here. The guys in the factory call it “Ferrari neoprene”, because it really is that fantastic.

The quality of the rubber base is backed up by a whole range of features aimed at making that winter surf more comfy. There are Smoothskin chest and mesh panels that reduce chafing at key contact points like the neck and shoulders. You get lining tape along the openings to cut out flushing. There’s even UV protection inbuilt in case it’s one of those unforgettable crisp winter days.

It’s a stunner of a suit but the price tag eases it just out of our top spot, making it a touch better for the more committed performance surfer.

Patagonia R3

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: £420

Rarely does a wetsuit evoke such emotion as the R3. It’s fair to say that this one pretty much took the surfing world by storm when it was first released. It’s still turning heads today and we often can’t help ourselves but paddle over a wearer and ask them how it’s holding up when we see someone paddling out with the Patagonia logo emblazoned on high.

All that’s down to the fact that Patagonia really rewrote the rulebook when the developed their all-new Yulex rubber back in 2016. It was gamechanger in more ways than one, lead by a fancy material entirely sourced from hevea trees. Let’s break it down….

First, Patagonia claimed that this all-new suit structure was up to 20% more flexible than previous limestone models. Then they managed to make them lighter than limestone neoprene by up to 5%. It dries faster, can be moulded better, and is said to be WAY more durable than its traditional compadres (something that mitigates that soaring price tag just a little).

We have to say, this is one SERIOUSLY balmy suit for the winter. Oh, and there’s another major plus: Patagonia’s Yulex R3s are the most environmentally friendly steamers going. They’re made from much more sustainable materials and sourced from plantations that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

To be honey, the only reason we don’t put it up at the top of our list is the money it costs to bag.

Patagonia 3.5mm R2 Yulex (Women’s)

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: £323.95

You might have already been able to gather that we have a VERY big soft spot for the Patagonia Yulex wetties here at The Surf Atlas. Yea, well its us and everyone else in the lineup we can assure you of that. They might have a rep for customers needing a second mortgage to get one of these fancy pieces of kit, but they certainly live up to the hype.

Before we even touch on how warm it is, let’s just make a nod to the eco features. Fully made from Rainforest Alliance-accredited plantations of low-impact hawea trees in factory processes all designed to reduce CO2 and plastic emissions, this one’s got enough to make Greta Thunberg blush. There’s no doubt that it’s the option if you’re getting eco-conscious about your ocean activity.

The suit itself performs exceptionally, too. It’s a tough mix of 3.5-4mm rubber that we’ve found has the moxie to keep us surfing in most European destinations (UK included) all the way through the winter, though you might need to have a 5-mil option handy for the coldest of days. It’s also super light and flexy, offering plenty of movement for more advanced female surfers. All in all, a cracking buy!

Rip Curl 4/3mm Dawn Patrol Back Zip Women’s Wetsuit (Women’s)

PRICE WHEN REVIEWED: £209.99

The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol has made its name as a sort of lower-to-middle range steamer that ticks all the boxes but rarely dusts off the piggy bank. What you get here really screams value for money. There’s 4mm of main-panel neoprene plus 3mm on secondary panels and cuffs, along with RC’s well-rated E5 fabric on the thermal inlays throughout the key parts of the suit. We’d say you get almost the same performance as a Flashbomb (one of Rip Curl’s best suits) for under 210 quid. Nice.

There’s really great panel construction on the whole thing. That includes double-stiched seams and a back-zip entry. That not only makes things tight fitting, but versatile for a range of body shapes and probably a touch better for beginner surfers. We also love the simplicity of the overall design – all black with that trademark wetties frontage. It’s a stylish number.