Only you can tell what is the best wetsuit for wakeboarding for you, and even though that’s the case, you still have to know what features to look for to get your money’s worth. If you are a new wakeboard rider who does not have an idea what to look for when buying a wetsuit, read on.
Wakeboard wetsuits vary in size, construction, and style. Because of these variations, it may lead you to feel overwhelmed by a lot of options.
Plus, you also have to consider the water temperature and weather conditions. To learn which is the best wetsuit to wear in these situations, read on.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Wetsuits for Wakeboarding Review
- O’Neill 5/4+ Hyperfreak Hooded Fullsuit
- O’Neill 4.5/3.5 Mutant Legend Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit
- Xcel Axis 2mm Short Sleeve Springsuit
- O’Neill 5.5/4 Psycho Tech Full Wetsuit
- XCEL 5/4 Infiniti Hooded Wetsuit
1. O’Neill 4.5/3.5 Mutant Legend Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit
Specifications:
- 5/3.5 mm
- Chest Zip
- Neoprene
- Welded Seams
The O’Neill 4.5/3.5 Mutant Legend Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit uses TechnoButter 3 in the low body for maximum stretch. It provides warmth and comfort while reducing the weight of the overall material.
On the arms and shoulder, it uses the TechnoButter 3x, which is a pre-stretched neoprene that is comfortable and lightweight to wear.
On the chest and back, the O’Neill 4.5/3.5 Mutant Legend Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit uses TechnoButter Firewall to retain heat. It is also stretchy and has a quick-drying property.
The modular closure has two cinches that you may interchange between the hood and the neck.
Also, the O’Neill 4.5/3.5 Mutant Legend Chest Zip Hooded Wetsuit has a key pocket and loop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to wear | Tight neck area |
| Comfortable |
|
| Warm | |
2. O’Neill 5/4+ Hyperfreak Hooded Fullsuit
Specifications:
- 5/4.5 mm
- Chest zip
- Neoprene
- Taped, glued, and blind-stitched
O’Neill 5/4+ Hyperfreak Hooded Fullsuit uses the TechnoButter technology on the body and legs to provide maximum stretch and warmth. It is hydrophobic that repels water.
It also makes use of the TechnoButter 3X technology, which is a pre-stretched neoprene that is lightweight. It ensures flexibility and fit.
The chest zip uses a free-floating zipper with an anti-flash barrier that keeps the wearer dry and comfortable. Also, it makes use of neoprene seam tape.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Available in different sizes | Not for warm temperature |
3. XCEL Axis 2mm Short Sleeve Springsuit
Specifications:
- 2mm
- Back Zip
- Neoprene
- Flatlock
The XCEL Axis 2mm Short Sleeve Springsuit uses Eco limestone neoprene that provides 100 percent stretch because of the blended spandex for strength and performance. It features a back zip and an engineered fit.
The flatlock seams feel comfortable on the skin.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent fit | Could use larger back zipper |
| Lightweight | |
4. O’Neill 5.5/4 Psycho Tech Full Wetsuit
Specifications:
- 5/4.5 mm
- Chest zip
- Neoprene
- Taped, welded, glued, and blind-stitched seams
O’Neill 5.5/4 Psycho Tech Full Wetsuit uses TechnoButter 3 to generate heat to keep the body warm in cold temperatures. It is hydrophobic and lightweight.
It also uses TechnoButter Air Firewall, which has a quick-dry property that protects the rider from the cold.
It also features a front upper zip entry (FUZE) that keeps the water out, so that the rider will feel dry.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Comfortable | Tight fit |
| Warm | |
5. XCEL 5/4 Infiniti Hooded Wetsuit
Specifications:
- 5/4 mm
- Chest zip
- Neoprene
- Taped, glued, and blind-stitched
The material used for making the XCEL 5/4 Infiniti Hooded Wetsuit is an eco-friendly neoprene lite Japanese limestone neoprene that feels warmer, softer, and lighter than ordinary neoprene. XCEL 5/4 Infiniti Hooded Wetsuit guarantees 100 percent stretch and performance.
It also has a radiant rebound feature that has metal lining under the fabric. This lining helps in blocking the cold and reflecting the heat on the body.
It also uses channel flex, a hydrophobic material that can also provide excellent stretch and weight reduction.
The XCEL 5/4 Infiniti Hooded Wetsuit prevents flushing through the Nexskin seals on the wrists and ankles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good fit | Not for warm weather |
| Flexible | |
Top Pick
There are many wetsuits on the market that are good, but the most advisable one is O’Neill 5/4+ Hyperfreak Hooded Fullsuit. Many riders love this product because of the several features it offers.
It is excellent to wear for the cold season because of the comfort and warmth it gives. The manufacturer incorporated many technologies just to achieve the desired premium features that this product provides.
Additionally, it is comfortable to wear, and it comes with a pocket where you can stash your key.
Different Types of Wetsuits for Wakeboarding
As mentioned, wetsuits are not the same. They vary to meet the consumers’ needs and address possible problems, such as extreme temperatures. Therefore, wetsuits are available in different varieties.
Here are the common types of wetsuits for wakeboarding
Full Suit
Full suits are for the cold season, such as the winter and fall. It provides full-body coverage. It is thick on the side which makes you feel comfortable to wakeboard in the cold.
Spring Suit
As the name suggests, the spring suit is for spring wakeboard riding. It is for moderately cold temperatures. It protects the core by giving warmth and flexibility.
Wetsuit Tops
People also call the wetsuit tops the heater tops. It removes the cold from the body during the ride.
Riders do not mainly use it based on the season, but it is one of the types of wetsuits that water athletes use for keeping their bodies warm and comfy during the cold morning and dusk sessions.
Wetsuit Jargon That You Need to Know
When purchasing a wetsuit, you might encounter some words that seem foreign to you. If they are not, how the store displays these features might confuse you.
Millimeter
It might not seem like jargon to you, but most stores sell their wetsuits in millimeters. It refers to the thickness of the neoprene. Stores display these products in a way that seems foreign to new buyers, such as 3/2 mm.
It does not mean that the wetsuit is 1.5 mm thick. It only means that the body part is 3 mm thick, and the extremities are 2 mm. The 3/2 wetsuit is perfect for spring and fall.
The 4/3 is best in the cold temperature, while the 5/4 is for the freezing temperature. Wetsuits that are more than 5 mm may not feel comfortable at all.
Neoprene
Neoprene is the typical fabric used in making a wetsuit. People also call it rubber because of the majority of its construction.
A wetsuit is available in different stretchiness, which is also the cause of discrepancies between cheap and expensive wetsuits. The stretchier, the more comfortable the wetsuit is. Because of this, the stretchier wetsuits are more expensive.
Neoprene is not only flexible but comfortable and durable too.
It comes in different types: single-lined, double-lined, and titanium-lined.
The single-lined has a nylon lining at the interior’s side, making it more comfortable to wear. The double-lined has nylon lining in both the exterior and interior, making it durable and warm. It is also the most common that you can find in stores.
The titanium-lined provides extra warmth because of the added titanium.
Seams
It is the part that holds the fabric together to form the overall wetsuit.
Seals
You will find the seals on the wrists, neck, and ankles. The seals prevent water from seeping in. The best seals allow you to get your extremities out of the wetsuit comfortably.
What to Consider When Buying a Wetsuit for Wakeboarding
Now that you know the key terms that you must know about wetsuits. It is time that you should know which features to look for based on your needs.
Features to Consider When Buying a Wetsuit
Seam Construction
The construction of the seams can affect the comfort and warmth the wetsuit can provide to a rider. There are three types of seams: sealed, flatlock, and sealed and taped. Not one is better than the other. Choosing the best depends on what you need.
Sealed refers to the glued and stitched seams. It looks like a flatlock outside, but it has a glued interior. A little amount of water can penetrate inside. This type is ideal for cold water that is 55 F and up.
The flatlock looks like a track in the railroad. The exterior and interior look the same. That is why it feels comfortable to wear, although some water can penetrate. It is ideal for the warm weather that is 52 F and up.
The sealed and taped is best to wear for freezing water, which is 55 F and below.
It has the same construction as the sealed, but with added tape for durability and to ensure that no water can seep inside.
Thickness
As mentioned, manufacturers measure it in millimeters. What you need to learn is that the thicker it is, the warmer you will feel. It is because of the neoprene material.
However, the thickness may also sacrifice flexibility.
Neoprene Construction
A wetsuit’s neoprene construction has two types: standard and super stretch. The average wetsuits that you can buy in stores are 30 percent super stretch, and the top of the lines are 60 to 100 percent, which is what professional water sports athletes prefer.
The 30 percent refers to the super stretch only on the extremities, while the 70 percent is standard neoprene, which is on the other parts of the body.
The 100 percent indicates that the entire parts of the wetsuit’s construction are super stretch neoprene.
There is a particular type of neoprene that is available in a few stores today called smooth skin. Many riders call it smoothly. Manufacturers apply rubberized coating on the neoprene’s exterior, which helps block wind and water absorption. They commonly use it on the chest part.
The catch of using the smoothy is that it is scratch-prone.
Other features
You may also want to consider the other features, such as the types of zippers, which are a factor in preventing water entry. The full zipper is the standard, and the short zipper provides flexibility and helps prevent water entry.
The chest zip is the most common one in the wetsuits.
These zippers may come with zip barriers, which are essential for releasing the water inside.
Additionally, some wetsuits have stash pockets and loops, where you can store your key.
Tips on Your Next Trip to the Store
Try it on.
Wetsuits are not in a standard size; that is why you should choose the best fit. See the size chart as a reference, and from there, find the wetsuit that fits you well.
Although this advice seems cliche, not all people follow it. Besides wearing it, you should try different movement ranges to challenge the garment’s flexibility and know if you will be comfortable wearing it.
Bring a plastic bag.
Those people who do not know this technique, spend almost 30 minutes getting into their wetsuit. With a plastic bag at hand, you can wear your wetsuit in a minute.
You only need to put your foot in a plastic bag and wear the wetsuit as you usually do. Wearing plastic eliminates friction when you put on the suit.
Conclusion
Wetsuits are not the same. Although its primary function is to keep you warm and dry while you ride your wakeboard, there are still some factors that you should consider. It includes construction, sports, temperature, and climate. You should also buy one that is snuggly but comfortably fits your size.
If you do not know which product to buy, you can start by looking further at these mentioned products, especially the O’Neill 5/4+ Hyperfreak Hooded Fullsuit.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Do I Need to Buy a Branded Wetsuit?
Q: How Will I Fix the Rips on My Wetsuit?
Q: How to Choose a Wetsuit for a Child?
Q: How to Avoid Friction on the Wetsuit Around the Chest or Collar?
Q: What Is a Semi-Dry Suit?
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- Takayama Surfboards
- BZ Surfboards
- Surfboards for Beginners
- Best Surfers of All Time
G’day, my name is Rach Taylor and I’m the proud Founder of Surf Hungry. I am a former Australian Olympic athlete and Australian representative surf sports athlete. I’ve worked in the surf industry and lived at many of Australia’s best surf spots, sparking a life-long love of the ocean and a passion for surf sports which also rubbed off on my two young sons! I am also lucky to spend a lot of ocean-time in my favorite second home, Indonesia. In addition to SurfHungry I have founded several other websites in my areas of passion, namely coffee and rock climbing, and am also a regular rowing content contributor.
