HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WETSUIT SIZE 

A well-fitting wetsuit can completely change your surfing experience. It keeps you warm, moves with you, and helps you perform at your best in the water. Wetsuits are designed to fit almost like a second skin, and they rely on accurate sizing to work properly. But finding the right size is not just about choosing small, medium, or large.

If a wetsuit is too tight, it can feel restrictive and uncomfortable. If it is too loose, it lets in cold water and loses its ability to keep you warm. That is why choosing the right wetsuit size is so important. Most wetsuit brands offer a wide range of sizes to fit different body types. This includes both men's and women's sizes, with additional short (S) and tall (T) variations. Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.

Tip: Be aware that next to shopping the right wetsuit size, also the right thickness is really important. Check out our wetsuit thickness guide.

WHAT DOES A GOOD WETSUIT FIT FEEL LIKE?

A wetsuit should feel snug from the moment you put it on. It may even feel slightly tight at first, especially if you are not used to wearing one. This is completely normal. Neoprene will stretch a little over time and begin to mould to your body after a few sessions in the water.

Despite the close fit, you should still be able to move freely. You should be able to lift your arms, bend at the waist, and breathe comfortably without feeling pressure in any one spot. A well-fitting wetsuit supports your movement rather than restricting it.

Flexibility plays a big role here. A more flexible wetsuit will adapt to your body better than a stiffer one. This means you can go for a snugger fit without sacrificing comfort. High-end wetsuits made from stretchier neoprene can be cut closer to the body and still feel natural in the water. This added flexibility also reduces resistance while paddling or popping up on your board, which makes a noticeable difference during long sessions.

At the same time, be sure there are no loose areas especially under the arms, around the lower back, or near the legs. These are the most common places where cold water can enter if the wetsuit is too big. A proper fit keeps your core warm, your body sealed, and the neoprene working as it should.

START WITH YOUR BODY

Wetsuit sizing starts with understanding your body. To make sure your wetsuit fits properly, you need to take a few simple but accurate measurements. The most important ones are height, weight, chest or bust, waist, and for women, hips.

MEN'S WETSUIT SIZE FINDER

WOMEN'S WETSUIT SIZE FINDER

HEIGHT

Start by measuring your height. This determines how the wetsuit fits through the torso, legs, and arms. If it is too short, it can feel tight and stretched. If it is too long, it may sag or let in cold water. To get an accurate height measurement, stand straight against a wall without shoes. Use a flat object like a book on top of your head to mark the height, then measure from the floor to the mark.

WEIGHT

Your weight helps match you to the right size category, but it should never be the only factor. Two people with the same height and weight can have very different body shapes. Weigh yourself using a reliable scale, preferably in the morning, and remove heavy clothing or shoes to get the most accurate number.

CHEST OR BUST

This is the most critical area for wetsuit fit. A chest or bust that is too tight can restrict movement and paddling, while a loose fit will allow cold water to flush through. The chest is the only area in a wetsuit that does not stretch, due to the placement of the non stretchy chest zip. Therefore a good fitting chest is essential. Use a flexible tape measure or a piece of rope if you do not have one. For men, measure around the widest part of your chest. For women, measure around the fullest part of your bust. Keep the tape measure just under your armpits, level with the nipple line. It should be snug but not tight. Breathe naturally and use the average between inhaling and exhaling.

WAIST

The waist measurement ensures the wetsuit seals properly around your core. If the waist is too loose, you will lose warmth. If it is too tight, it will feel uncomfortable. Wrap the flexible tape around your natural waistline, which is usually just above the belly button. Keep the tape flat and avoid pulling it too tightly.

HIPS (FOR WOMEN)

For women, hip measurement helps get the right fit through the lower body. Measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks while standing naturally. This ensures the wetsuit fits well around the thighs and seat without being restrictive or baggy.

Once you have these measurements, you are ready to use the SRFACE Size Finder. It combines your inputs to recommend the best-fitting wetsuit from our full range. You might receive multiple size matches. So how do you choose the one that suits your body type? 

WHAT IF YOUR MEASUREMENTS FALL BETWEEN SIZES?

You are definitely not alone. In fact, most surfers don’t fit perfectly into one size box and that’s totally normal. Bodies come in all shapes and proportions, and wetsuit size charts don’t always capture every variation. So, what do you do if you’re caught between two sizes? Don’t panic. For the best fit, we recommend choosing the size that matches both your  height and chest / bust measurements, as these are the 2 most important ones. If your measurements match two sizes, you can consider going with the smaller one. A snug fit is better than a loose one (as long as your chest measurement is within range) when it comes to staying warm and stopping cold water from sneaking in. Achieving the perfect waist and hip measurement is less important than a good fitting chest / bust, since the wetsuit stretches a lot in the waist and hips, making it more forgiving to a good fit. Neoprene is naturally stretchy and will loosen up slightly after a few sessions, so what feels a bit tight on day one often becomes just right.

If your height suggests one size but your chest or waist lines up with another, go with the size that fits your chest. This area is key for maximum warmth and performance. A good seal around your core helps lock in heat and keeps the suit in place while you move. 

We offer short and tall versions of many of our sizes. For example, MS (Medium Short) is ideal for surfers with a medium build who are shorter than average, providing the right width without extra length in the arms and legs. LT (Large Tall) is designed for taller surfers who need more length but do not want to size up in width and risk a loose fit through the chest and waist.

STILL NOT SURE? WE CAN HELP

If you are unsure between two sizes or have a body type that does not match the standard wetsuit size chart, our support team is ready to help. Everyone on our team surfs, so we understand how a wetsuit should fit, not just on paper, but out in the water. A good fit makes all the difference in comfort, warmth, and performance.

You can reach out to us with your measurements, and we will guide you to the best option based on your body shape. You might be buying your first wetsuit or looking to upgrade. In both cases, we will help you find the fit that works for you.