It’s easy to get lost in all the wetsuit sizes and options that are out there. Now that the seasons are changing once again, we present you with this new wetsuit temperature guide!
The right wetsuit size, for the right temperature
Choosing the right sizes is in so many ways important. A couple of hours in cold water with a wetsuit that is too thin can affect your health in many ways. Surfing in cold water can increase injuries, muscle cramps, and hypothermia. That’s all something we don’t want, right?

Wearing a thick wetsuit in warmer water can easily overheat you. That’s something that you wouldn’t expect when staying in water, but surfing is very intense, and your body must be able to lose its heat.
How to find the water temperature in your local spot
There are a couple of websites out there that will tell you the water temperature of your surf destination. We like the website SeaTemperature.org, because you can also see the temperature for the coming months, so you can start preparing already.
Do you need a new wetsuit for the upcoming months? Have a look at our Ultimate Wetsuit Guide which tells you everything you need to know and consider when looking for a new (or second-hand) wetsuit.
How wetsuit sizes affect your mobility (and comfort)
You might decide on choosing a thicker wetsuit than recommended, to stay warmer. Although this thinking is understandable, it will decrease your mobility as well. A thicker wetsuit will limit your movement, especially around the shoulder, which will make paddling more difficult. Therefore make sure you find the right balance between warmth and mobility!
Protect your head (and ears) in water below 19°C or 66°F
Ever heard about a “surfer’s ear”? This is an abnormal bone that can grow in your ear canal when surfing frequently in water below 19 °C (or 66 °F). The only way to way to treat it is by surgery, and they have to literally drill to remove the bone. Do I have to say more?
To prevent this from happening you can best wear special earplugs, that keep your ear canal insulated and prevent cold water from entering. Alternatively, you can wear a cap that protects your ears, but water will still enter your ear canal. For the most comfort on colder days, you best wear both.
The best earplugs we know are the SurfEars earplugs. They come in a nice case, with sealing gels in different sizes, so they will fit in any ear. They are connected to an adjustable lease that you can wear around your neck so you will now lose them in the water. You can buy them on surfears.com, and on Amazon.com.
We’ve put a couple of more tips in our Ultimate Wetsuit Guide. Make sure to check it out.
See you in the water!