9 Best Wetsuits For Northern California

Searching for the best wetsuit for Northern California? We live in California and we’re here to tell you about the best Northern California’s wetsuits.

The weather in Northern California is varying and unpredictable. It can be sunny, windy and rainy all on the same day. Plus as temperatures drop, the quest for a suitable wetsuit becomes more challenging.

Whether you’re an active surfer or someone who just enjoys the ocean, knowing what to look for in a wetsuit is key to enjoying your chosen water sport throughout the year — regardless of location.

To be comfortable during any weather changes, it’s important to have the best wetsuit for your next surf. But how do you choose one if there are hundreds of brands and products? We’re here to help you out! Here are the best 9 wetsuits for Northern California:

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OUR TOP PICKS

O’Neill Women’s Wetsuit -> Stretchy, Soft & Insulated

O’Neill Men’s Wetsuit -> Easy to Wear, Flexible & Stretchable

Table Of Contents

Best 3/2 Wetsuits For Northern California

A beachfront view showing several surfers in the ocean riding gentle waves. In the background, a sandy beach leads to a large resort with balconies, surrounded by a hillside filled with homes under a partly cloudy sky. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

3/2 wetsuits have 3mm thickness for the body (torso and chest) and 2mm thickness for the arms, shoulders and legs.

The thickness refers to the thickness of the neoprene rubber used for the wetsuit. This provides warmth around the body and mobility around the arm muscles, shoulder muscles and leg muscles for better flexibility.

3/2 wetsuits are a great option if water temperatures are 55F-60F. Since water temperatures are less than air temperatures (as evaporation takes heat from the water), daily air temperatures that are above 65 F would make it comfortable to wear the 3/2 wetsuit.

1. O’Neill Women’s Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit

This O’Neill wetsuit has a perfect back zip system that prevents water from coming in. This is stretchy, soft and insulated to protect you from the cold and winds.

2. O’Neill Men’s Epic 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit

This O’Neill wetsuit is easy to wear on and take off. It is super flexible and uses lumbar seamless design to keep it stretchable.

3. Seaskin 3mm Shorty Front Zip Wetsuit

Looking for a non-full sized wetsuit? Get Seaskin’s shorty wetsuit that is elastic and durable. Plus it’s got a front zip which makes it easier to zip up or down and allows far less water in than a front zip.

Best 4/3 Wetsuits For Northern California

4/3 wetsuits have 4mm thickness for the body and 3mm thickness for the arms, shoulders and legs. 4/3 wetsuits are great when water temperatures are 50F-55F with air temperatures being a couple of degrees above. If the water is chilly, air is windy and/or you plan to spend half a day in the water, 4/3 wetsuits are your go-to.

4. O’Neill Men’s Epic 4/3mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit

This O’Neill wetsuit is watertight and adjustable. It’s got Krypto knee pads and plasma ankle and wrist seals.

5. Roxy Women’s 4/3 Syncro Back Zip GBS Wetsuit

This Roxy wetsuit is lightweight and durable with Supratex knee pads and Glideskin neck seal. Plus it’s got a pretty coral design across the shoulders.

Best 5/4 Wetsuits For Northern California

5/4 wetsuits have 5mm thickness for the body and 4mm thickness for the arms, shoulders and legs. When you’re spending the whole day in the waters and/or the water is super cold, choose the 5/4 wetsuit. When water temperatures are 45F-50F, you can still surf the waters with a thicker suit.

6. Realon Women’s 5/4mm Wetsuit

This Realon wetsuit is thicker but has an athletic fit and is comfy to wear all day. Great for any water sport.

7. Lemorecn Men’s 5/4mm Wetsuit

This Lemorecn wetsuit is comfy and durable with flexible sleeves. The material is strong and prevents tears and abrasions.

8. Dark Lightning’s 5/4 Full Body Wetsuit

This Dark Lightning wetsuit is easy to wear and fits perfectly. Simple design but keeps you warm for a long time. It’s priced better than others.

9. O’Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 mm Chest Zip Full Wetsuit

This O’Neill wetsuit is so light that you might sometimes forget that you’re wearing it! It’s also got an external key pocket and a front zip.

Best Wetsuit for Swimming in San Francisco Bay

San Francisco can get cold and chilly and the waters in the San Francisco Bay can be colder. While it depends on your cold tolerance, you’ll be best protected with the 5/4 wetsuit. If you’re surfing for 2-3 hours in the winter season, choose a 5/4 wetsuit.

The water in the San Francisco Bay continues to stay chilly even if it’s not winter. Plus the surf waters can get erratic and the air colder with the North winds. Expect the water temperatures to be in the 40s or 50s.

Best Wetsuit for Santa Cruz

The waters in Santa Cruz are colder than you think, so no matter what season it is, you should be wearing a wetsuit if you plan to surf the waves for a while. If you’re new to surfing and don’t have a wetsuit, you should still buy one; it’ll keep you warm which is essential when you’re practicing the surf waves.

How thick of a wetsuit do I need for Santa Cruz? We recommend a 4/3 suit. A 4/3 wetsuit is made of thicker material than a 3/2 so you can stay out longer. The thicker material also means you will still be warm if the water is cold.

Santa Cruz is home to the O’Neill wetsuits created by Jack O’Neill, the wetsuit inventor. So buy an O’Neill wetsuit before diving into the Santa Cruz waves.

California Wetsuit Guide

A serene ocean view with a small group of surfers waiting on their boards near a gentle wave. A white sailboat glides in the distance under a clear blue sky, with faint outlines of land on the horizon. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

So what’s so great about wetsuits? Wetsuits were created so that surfers or anyone doing other water sports can stay in the colder waters for a long time. They also protect your skin in two other ways: prevents cuts from ocean rocks and prevents getting sunburnt.

While you want the wetsuit to protect you from the waters, winds and sun, you also want to be comfy enough to move around swiftly.

The thickness of the wetsuit is important. If you’re thinking that the thicker the suit is, the more uncomfortable it might be, that isn’t fully true. You’ll get used to the wetsuit after wearing it a couple of times.

But the main reason it’s thick is to protect you from the cold. And when you’re feeling cold, you can’t surf the waters properly. The thickness of the suit is far less uncomfortable than the coldness of the waters. It also depends on how often you’ll be wearing the wetsuit.

Will you wear it once, seasonally or year-round? And also what season will you be wearing it? While some people prefer one suit all year-round, others might prefer a different suit per season.

Other things to consider when buying a wetsuit are its fit, stretchability, durability, weight and price.

Wetsuit Accessories

If you’re not sure if your chosen wetsuit would keep you warm enough, then get some wetsuit accessories to keep you warmer! Try these:

Hoods: Keep your head, ears and neck warm.
Gloves: Extra grip and protection.
Socks/Booties: These are tearing resistant with anti-slip features.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of wetsuit do I need for Northern California?

The best type of wetsuit is the one that fits you. Whether you’re surfing, diving or snorkeling, you need to be comfortable when in the waters. When choosing wetsuits, make sure it isn’t too tight.

If you feel like it’s a bit suffocating, then that’s not the wetsuit for you. If it’s too loose, water can flow right into the wetsuit which will make it heavier and uncomfortable for you.

The best wetsuits for Northern California are 4/3 wetsuits and 5/4 wetsuits. Other than your wetsuit, pack other essentials for your Northern California beach day.

Pack wetsuit accessories; those would still keep you warm if you fall back into the cold water due to strong winds and rapid waves.

Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz is home to the surfing culture so you’ll see tons of wetsuit wearers along the Santa Cruz beaches. A wetsuit is one of the most important gears that you need to buy during your surfing trip. Wetsuits keep you warm, comfortable and protected.

Even if it’s just a two-hour surf session in the morning, a wetsuit will keep you safe from extreme cold even in water as cold as 60F.

Even though Santa Cruz is farther south than San Francisco’s beaches or other northern California beaches, the winds from Monterey Bay are strong so protect yourself with a wetsuit.

Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Northern California?

You might be thinking that a wetsuit will slow me down but every surfer/diver needs a wetsuit. The waters in Northern California are cold and can be freezing during some winter days.

Even if you aren’t surfing and just planning to paddleboard near a Lake Tahoe beach, (for example) wetsuits provide an extra protection in case of rocky surfaces.

Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Southern California?

A wetsuit helps you surf for a longer time and under any water conditions. Wetsuits are also needed when surfing in Southern California as the water can still be cold even in warm temperatures.

Final Thoughts

With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which wetsuit will be the best fit and provide warmth during your next session. If you are in the market for a new wetsuit, check out these 9 best wetsuits for Northern California. Enjoy the California waves!