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Step 1
Determine the water temperature where you'll be doing the majority of surfing. If you're planning a tour of the world's top surfing destinations, select a wetsuit designed to protect you in the coldest conditions you'll encounter on your trip.
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Step 2
Select a thickness level based on water temperature. Choose a thin, 1/16 cm neoprene wetsuit if you're planning on surfing in 70 to 85 degrees. Choose a thicker wetsuit, up to 1/4 cm thick, for colder conditions for 50 degrees.
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Step 3
Select a style of wetsuit. If you're surfing in the warm California sun, choose a shorty, a single suit with short sleeves and knee-length legs. If you're roughing it at the Jersey shore during the fall and early winter, consider a full-length wetsuit that covers your arms and legs completely. If you've got a hard-to-fit body, try a Farmer John or Farmer Jane style, which features two separate pieces. Check out the Psycho II from O'Neill if you're looking for a durable wetsuit that holds up in a variety of conditions.
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Step 4
Check the zipper location. Choose a back zipper for the most affordable option, or go for a wetsuit free of zippers like the Billabong Solution Gold for a more comfortable alternative with less water absorption.
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Step 5
Check the seams. Keep in mind that more panels mean a more flexible wetsuit. The more seams you have, the more opportunities for water to seep in. The Cell from Quicksilver features no underarm seams for enhanced flexibility.
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Step 6
Try on several different styles. Look for a snug-fitting suit, but make sure you can breathe and your range of motion is not limited in any way. If you pick a loose-fitting wetsuit it may feel more comfortable at the store, but it may let water in once you're out riding the waves.
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Step 7
Select accessories as needed. Choose booties, gloves and hoods or neoprene caps if you anticipate surfing in cold conditions or late into the season.
