Are you thinking about hitting the ocean or the river for some kayaking fun this winter? If so, you’re going to need a wetsuit. A wetsuit is a crucial piece of equipment every kayaker needs in their gear bag. The wetsuit keeps you warm in the water, preventing the onset of hypothermia which could lead to a life-threatening situation.
However, there are thousands of wetsuits available online. Which wetsuit brands offer you the best deal, and is it worth spending decent money on a wetsuit, or should you go with something cheap? Let’s review the best kayak wetsuits and our recommendations for top picks available for your kayaking trip.
Contents
Our Top Picks
- The Best Overall Kayak Wetsuit – Synergy Endorphin Full Suit
If you’re looking for the best coldwater wetsuit for kayaking, we recommend going with the Synergy Endorphin. This swimming wetsuit has the best flexibility in its class and supportive zones on the bag, with stretchy materials for the best range of motion and least resistance from the wetsuit when paddling. - The Best Premium Kayak Wetsuit – O’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2 Full Suit
O’Neil is the crème-la-crème of surfing wetsuit brands. Jack O’Neil gets the credit for bringing the wetsuit to market in mass production. He also spent decades refining the design and use of materials in wetsuits. This Hyperfreak model brings you the pinnacle of surfing wetsuits for your kayaking trip. - The Best Budget Kayak Wetsuit – Ho Stevie! Full Suit
The Ho Stevie! Full wetsuit is our top choice for the best budget model in this review. Sure, you don’t get the prestige of O’Neil or Rip Curl backing the product. However, Stevie is a well-respected surfer, and his wetsuits have an excellent reputation in the market. Plus, they offer you affordable quality for your budget.
Kayak Wetsuits Reviews
The Best Overall Kayak Wetsuit – Synergy Endorphin Full Suit
If you’re looking for the warmest, most flexible kayaking wetsuit, we recommend going with the Synergy Endorphin 5/3mm full suit is the best choice in this review. This is a swimming wetsuit, so you get great flexion and stretch under the arms, making paddling comfortable, especially in races.
The 5/3mm Yamamoto #39 neoprene suit keeps you warm in the coldest conditions in the Great Lakes and the northern regions of the East and West Coasts. We like the non-chaff neck with a “dual Smooth Skin” design for move freedom and comfort around the neck.
- Triathlete Magazine Editor's Choice Award Winner – Suitable for all levels. Ironman & USAT approved. Athlete endorsed. Comes in wide range of sizes to ensure a perfect fit.
- Proven Technology Equals Superior Performance – Hydrodynamic neoprene made from Yamamoto #39 with SCS silicone coated SyPrene. 5mm thick core buoyancy panel / 3mm lower legs and back / 2mm arms and shoulders.
- Exceptional Functionality – Full range of motion. Unsurpassed 680 percent flexibility. Highest grade anti corrode internal wetsuit zipper from YKK which greatly reduces drag as you move through the water. Super soft low neck with smoothskin on both sides and because it is so soft, it feels like you hardly have anything around your neck.
- Maximum Buoyancy - 5mm wetsuit, which is the maximum buoyancy allowed in triathlon wetsuits. Creates nearly double the buoyancy than 3mm suits, which are not recommended for cold waters. Float higher. Move faster. Save energy.
- Warranty- 2 Year Warranty. Product Registration is required and is only applicable to the original owner of a new wetsuit purchased from Synergy Wetsuits.
There’s a super-soft thermal inner lining providing warmth, and the 680% flexibility of the materials makes it the most flexible suit on the market. This model has a concealed back zip design with a supportive bio-align panel running the zip length. There’s an internal YKK zipper, and you get chemically bonded seams for long service life and heat-taped joints for a leak-free wetsuit experience.
The suit design places the 5mm materials around the upper legs, groin, and chest while having thinner 3mm material in the arms and lower limbs of the suit. The result is a warm wetsuit offering you the best flexibility on the market.
What We Liked
- Ideal for cold water conditions with a 5/3mm design.
- 680% more stretch than other suits.
- More stretch in the arms and back for better paddling.
- Welded and heat-taped seams.
The Best Premium Kayak Wetsuit – O’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2 Full Suit
Jack O’Neil was the godfather of the surf wetsuit. While he doesn’t claim its invention, he was the first manufacturer to mass-produce surf-specific suits for the market. O’Neill continues to dominate the surf industry with high-quality wetsuits. These surf wetsuits are ideal for kayaking, offering you more flexion in the arms because surfers do a lot of paddling.
The O’Neil Hyperfreak suit is the brand’s top-of-the-line model and is ideal for kayaking. This full suite comes with a 3/2mm construction, making it suitable for warm to slightly colder water. It’s suitable for the wintertime in areas like southern California.
- The O'riginal California Surf Lifestyle Brand. Shop Boardshorts and More Now. Since 1952
The Hyperfreak comes with a FUZE chest-zip entry system with no annoying back zip. You get super-light TechnoButter 3 and TB3X neoprene that dry fast while keeping you warm. You get welded and taped seams for long service life and no splitting. O’Neil ensures it uses aqua-alpha solvent-free lamination techniques for its neoprene manufacturing process, resulting in a flexible but warm wetsuit.
This model is ideal for kayaking, keeping you warm while allowing for a full range of motion in the arms and legs. O’Neil spreads the 3mm material over the chest and upper legs while using 2mm neoprene for the arms and lower legs, increasing the suit’s flexibility.
What We Liked
- A high-end brand with a high-quality design.
- Ideal for cool wintertime waters around Southern California and Northern Florida.
- TechnoButter 3 and TB3X neoprene for fast drying time.
- Welded and taped seams.
The Best Budget Kayak Wetsuit –Ho Stevie! Full Suit
Are you looking for an affordable, high-quality wet suit? If you’re working with a budget, we recommend going with the Ho Stevie! Full suit. This model comes from an independent brand. Stevie wanted to build a wetsuit for use in San Diego waters in the winter.
Stevie designed his wetsuit with flexibility and warmth in mind. You get options for 4/3 and 3/2mm, and a simple size curve making it easy to select your suit. This suit gives you at least three to four hours in the water before you start feeling cold.
- WARM - Our premium quality full-length wetsuit will keep you warm even while surfing in the coldest water. 4/3mm thickness is rated for water as cold as 51°F. 3/2mm thickness is rated for water temperatures 56°F and warmer.
- STRETCHY - SuperStretch limestone-based neoprene has unmatched flexibility, which means you can surf longer because your arms won’t get as tired. The chest zip opening provides much better flexibility than back-zip wetsuits, and it also means no cold water leaks down your back. (If you are between sizes, choose the larger size)
- DURABLE - Surf in our wetsuit every day for years, not just one season. We spend more on premium materials and master craftsmanship, so this wetsuit will last. And speaking of craftsmanship, we put a key loop behind the chest zipper, so you can safely bring your key out in the water with you.
- GBS SEAMS - This is where most cheaper wetsuits fall short. Flatlock stitching is much cheaper, but it creates more holes in the wetsuit, therefore allowing more cold water to creep in. That’s why we use Blind stitching (makes fewer holes), and then we glue and tape the seams to really make them watertight.
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE - As with all of our surfing products, if you are not completely satisfied for ANY reason (how it fits, or anything else), simply return your Wet Suit within 30 days for a full refund. (If you are between sizes, choose the larger size)
The Ho Stevie! Full suit uses GBS S (Glued and Blind Stitched) seams with heat taping for long service life and less splitting. You get a chest-zip design, and there’s a key loop and dedicated pocket for your keys, something we don’t see enough of in wetsuits.
You’ll receive your wetsuit in plastic-free packaging, something that we think other brands should think about implementing. Overall, this suit is warm, flexible, and affordable. Sure, there are other no-name brands out there offering you wetsuits at half the price. However, this model from Ho Stevie! Won’t fall apart on you after one season, like other cheap models.
What We Liked
- Affordable, flexible, and warm.
- A surfer-owned brand with a good industry reputation.
- Key loop and pocket with chest zip design.
- GBS taped seams.
Nataly Osmann 5mm Spearfishing Full Suit
Are you looking for a spearfishing wetsuit for your next kayaking adventure? If you’re diving from the boat, you need a wetsuit that disguises you on the reef when you’re hunting for snapper or grouper. The Nataly Osmann 5mm wetsuit, brings you an aesthetically-pleasing camouflage design that’s ideal for those stealth spearfishing trips on the kayak.
This suit comes with 5mm neoprene, ideal for colder northern waters. You get a two-piece design with ultra-stretch materials, GBS, and welded seams for extra stretch and leak prevention. You get a professional four-pin six-wire design providing a form-fitting suit that reduces swimming fatigue.
- 【Technical Fabrics】This wetsuit selected Top CR neoprene material, anti-wear keep warm, Provides exceptional flexibility comfort and sportiness.
- 【Warmth & Protection】 5mm neoprene camo swimming suit provides ample thermal protection and defense against sea lice, jellies and other biological irritants. With special UV protection coating layer helps to reduce harms from sunlight.
- 【Split Two-piece】 Wetsuit top with diving hood and wetsuit vest pants as the picture shows, chest and knee pad design, make the diving movement more secure, enjoyable.
- 【Scope of Application】 Perfect for all water sports like diving, spearfishing, scuba diving, swimming, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, wave surfing, kayaking, canoeing, bodyboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing.
- 【Sizing Tips】 Please do not choose the size you usually wear, but check the product size chart. If your size is between the two sizes, it is recommended to choose the larger size. If you are not sure about the size, please contact us and we will give you with the most suitable advice.
You also get a hood included in the top for UV resistance, extra warmth, and protection from the wind on your ears. The suit design includes anti-friction knee pads, and you get three different camo colors to match your local water conditions.
Overall, this suit is easy to put on, thanks to the two-piece buckle design. You get a sleeveless full suit with a jacket included. So, if it’s warmer out, you can always wear the sleeveless suit without the jacket. It’s warm and flexible and ideal for spearfishing from the kayak.
What We Liked
- Ideal for spearfishing from the kayak.
- Two-piece buckle design.
- 5mm thickness for cold water, hood included.
- Four-pin six-wire for extra support and less fatigue.
- Good value for money.
O’Neill Women’s Bahia
For the ladies, we have the O’Neill Bahia. This suite offers you a 2/1mm thickness, making it a good choice for warmer to cool waters around southern California and Florida. You get the same design quality as the rest of the O’Neil men’s range, including UltraFlex and flatlock stitched seams for a leak-proof wetsuit.
This suit comes with a no-leg design, allowing more flexion and freedom of movement in the hips. You get a construction that places 2mm neoprene on the chest and around the back, down to the core. The arms have a 1mm neoprene design, giving the suit ultimate flexibility for paddling your kayak.
- Back Zip - Easy Entry
- Strategic Seam Placement
- Single Super Seal Neck
- External Key Pocket with Loop
- UltraFlex and Flatlock Stitched Breathable Seams
There’s a front zip for easy access and a corrosion-resistant, durable YKK zipper to ensure you never end up with a broken zipper. We like the low-profile super-seal neck and strategically placing the seams around the arms and back to reduce irritation when paddling.
You get an external key pocket with a loop and a fantastic suit for the early winter days. Overall, it’s our top choice for women and an inexpensive buy when considering the brand value and the price tag compared to other models.
What We Liked
- 2/1mm neoprene is ideal for warmer locations in the wintertime.
- Strategic seams for less irritation.
- Excellent range of motion in the shoulders and arms.
- External key pocket and loop system.
O’Neill Reactor 2/2mm Spring Suit
If you’re kayaking at the start of winter in southern locations, you can get away with a spring suit. These models have short sleeves and arms, and they are ideal for use around Hawaii or the Keys in the wintertime when you’re out on longer journeys.
This Reactor spring suit comes with a back zip entry and a 2/2mm Ultraflex neoprene thickness, keeping you warm during the change of seasons before you need to upgrade to a longer and thicker suit for the winter. You get a seamless design around the paddle zones of the armpits, shoulders, and upper back, allowing for irritation-free paddling.
- Ideal Entry Level Value Driven Wetsuit; Perfect For Surfing, Diving, Paddle Sports, Lake Activities, And Beach Days
- Backzip System Provides Easy Entry And Exit With A Water Resistant Closure
- Ultra Stretch Neoprene: Incredibly Soft Premium Material Has Superior Feel, Flexibility, And Elevates Performance
- Seamless Paddle Zones's Flexible Design Utilizes Minimal Seam Placement For Comfort And Maximum Mobility
- Wind-Resistant Smoothskin Provides Extra Insulation And Protection Against The Cold
The fully adjustable SmoothSkin neck provides a comfortable fit with a good seal to keep the water out. The chest and back feature SmoothSkin materials to keep wind resistance down. You get flatlock stitched seams to stop chaffing and a hidden key pocket.
What We Liked
- Excellent value for money.
- Available in three color options.
- Ultraflex 2mm neoprene.
- SmoothSkin neck, chest, and back panels.
O’Neill O’Riginal 2mm Sleeveless Spring Suit
This O’Neil model is ideal for warmer locations around the gulf and Baja. You get a sleeveless design with short legs focusing on the warmth where it matters. With the sleeveless design, you get the best range of motion in your paddling stroke without resistance from the wetsuit materials.
The original from O’Neil brings you 2mm neoprene in the chest and 1.5mm neoprene in the legs. The result is a warm suit for those cooler mornings out on the ocean or the lake. When the morning sun heats things up, you won’t find yourself baking in your suit.
- 2mm Fluid Foam body; 1.5mm FluidFlex legs
- Glued and blindstitched seams
- Retro styling
- Strategic seamless paddle zones
- Back zipper
You get a back zip entry system and seamless deposing around the paddle zones of the lower back and shoulders. There are glued and blindstitched seams providing a snug fit to the body, with no flushing through the arms if you land in the water.
What We Liked
- Ideal for warmer locations with cool mornings.
- 5mm legs with 2mm chest.
- Ultraflex neoprene.
- Strategic seamless stitching in the lumbar area.
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 1.5mm Wetsuit Jacket
If you’re in warm locations like the Gulf, Baja, and Hawaii, you don’t need a full suit, and even a spring suit is overdoing things on most occasions. Using something like this Rip Curl Dawn Patrol jacket is ideal for keeping you warm during the early morning kayaking sessions.
This wetsuit top features a front zip-thru entry system, making it super easy to don and remove, even when you’re in the water. Toss it over your board shorts, and you’re ready to go. You get a snug fit and a long-sleeve design to keep the sun off your skin.
- The Package Length of the Product is 36.0 inches
- The Package Width of the Product is 24.0 inches
- The Package Height of the Product is 12.0 inches
- Country of Origin: THAILAND
The 1.5mm neoprene gives you enough warmth for those sunrise paddling sessions at sea. Rip Curl also includes GBS seams, and the open-neck design provides a comfortable and unrestrictive user experience.
What We Liked
- 5mm Ultraflex neoprene.
- GBS seams.
- Front zip design for easy access.
- Open neck design for comfort.
Other Best Selling Options
- This shorty wetsuit men is specially designed for water sports and aqua aerobics; wetsuit front zip provides UV protection and defense against sea lice, jellies and other biological irritants
- The mens wetsuit should fit snugly and tight to the body, thus to keep the body heat when in the water, you should get a ideal fit after several times uses; It's made of high quality and durable material neoprene, stretchable and heat insulation
- Heavy duty YKK front zipper mens shorty wetsuit is easy for exit and entry; Flat-Lock Stitched Seams is excellent durability and fantastic comfort to keep your body warm in the coldest conditions for canoeing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, diving and other water activities
- Three layers of diving fabrics front zip wetsuit, the outer is imported nylon fabric, it is high elastic and durable; the middle insulation is neoprene, it is high scalability, waterproof and heat insulation; soft close skin heating to keep warm,it is close skin and comfortable soft warm
- Handwash in cold water for this wetsuit men with mild detergent and flat to dry, no iron, no bleach. If you have any issues about product or service, please contact us. We promise we will provide a 100% satisfactory solution to you. A chance for us, a surprice to you
- 3mm 2-sided neoprene,2-way nylon front entry zipper w/ full length flap
- Seamless arm holes,Non-skid knee reinforcements
- Un-hemmed super stretch neoprene ankles
- Paddling specific articulation,Shoulder panels color-coded by size
- Embossed logo
- 【High Waist & Excellent Stretch Design】- This soft and stretch swimsuit leggings adds high waist design, gives you a slim and comfortable look,provide firm and control to your hip, keep your body with shape a curve. Stretching during sports,leggings pant have the enough space to stretch,no worry about suddenly tearing.
- 【Warmth & Soft Fabric】- The 3mm women wetsuit pants adopts super soft stretch neoprene material,its feature breathable waterproof keep warm and and remains elasticity,shape a curve for you. Our watersport pants has breathable cloth in crotch, simulate the lift of a wetsuit while ,giving a more natural feeling of buoyancy, make you feel comfortable and enjoy your time under sunshine.
- 【Safe Wearing & Trouser Legs Hemming】- The diving wet suit tights has giving you stylish looking. with the curling design on the trouser legs, water capris is close to the leg and won’t loose when you swimming. the kayak pants can prevents the pants rolling up or water from splashing in, keep warm in cold water,creating an easy safe wearing.
- 【UV Protection & Excellent Performance】- The womens diving pant can be used to workout, speed up to squeeze out the toxin and build a sexy figure,it makes no hurt to your skin in friction. womens swimming pants can better protect against sun when you swim outdoors, protect you against cold water and stabbing from other underwater reefs, gravel,also can prevent the splashing water hits on your body.
- 【Warmth & Wide Applications】- The womens wetsuit pants are great for surfing diving snorkeling workout swimming canoeing training and other water sport. form-fitting design reduces drag in water, stays flexible over a wide temperature range, dries quickly, provides you a free movement without restriction.
Kayak Wetsuits Buyer’s Guide
After reading through our reviews, it’s time to start narrowing down your decision. This buyer’s guide gives you everything you need to know about kayaking wetsuit technology. We’ll give you the information you need to make the right decision on the best wetsuit for your climate and conditions.
What Is a Kayaking Wetsuit?
A kayaking wetsuit features design and construction with neoprene. Neoprene is a porous material, and it allows water to breach it, trapping a thin layer of water between the skin and the inside of the suit. Your body heat warms the water layer, keeping you toasty in the water, even in cold conditions.
Neoprene is an invention of the Du Pont chemical company. Du Pont discovered the material in the 1930s, using it as an alternative to rubber in some applications. Hugh Bradner was the first surfer to apply neoprene to wetsuit construction and the first person to design the marine wetsuit.
However, he never managed to bring his wetsuit to market. It wasn’t until the arrival of Jack O’Neil that the surfing community managed to get their hands on an affordable, purpose-built wetsuit for surfing. Jack O’Neil quickly dominated the world of high-performance wetsuits, and he kept innovating through the years, even as other surf brands, like Rip Curl, started to bring wetsuits to market.
After six decades of making the best wetsuits in the world, O’Neil is one of the leading brands, trusted by team riders like WSL pro surfer Jordy Smith.
Why Surfing and Swimming Wetsuits for Kayaking?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a purpose-built kayaking wetsuit. If you want a wetsuit for the sport, you’re going to have to look at other options. The surfing wetsuit is the ideal choice for kayaking. It offers you a lot more flexibility and range of motion than diving wetsuits.
The problem with diving wetsuits is that you don’t use your arms when scuba diving or snorkeling. So, when you try to paddle your kayak wearing these wetsuits, you’ll find it disturbs your normal paddling stroke, and your back and shoulders tire quickly.
Swimming wetsuits are also a good choice for your kayaking wetsuit. Like surfing suits, purpose-built wetsuits for swimming give you a better range of motion and less resistance when paddling. So, the wetsuits in this review come from surfing and swimming wetsuit brands, and we feel all of them offer you a great choice for kayaking.
Surfing and swimming wetsuits are also available at different price points, depending on the suit’s brand and quality. The general rule of thumb is the more you pay for the wetsuit, the better the quality and the longer the service life.
Eventually, all wetsuits fail. Neoprene is a brittle material and tears. The seams may also weather and split, resulting in water leaking into the suit. There are plenty of kayakers that swear by their trusty old leaky wetsuit. However, we think it’s a good idea to keep your suit in good condition, or buy a new one rather than use faulty equipment.
Critical Factors for Kayaking Wetsuits – The Seams
The seams used in the wetsuit construction matter most to the suit’s longevity. The better the seam construction, the longer the lifespan. So, while top-end wetsuits might cost more, it’s because they have better seams and higher-grade neoprene materials in their construction.
Here’s a brief guide to understanding the types of seams used in kayaking wetsuits.
Flatlock seams
Found on entry-level kayaking wetsuits with affordable price tags. These seams use stitching that goes through all layers of the neoprene material. As a result, they are more prone to tearing after two or three seasons.
Glued and Blind Stitched (GBS) Seams
Found on mid-tier kayaking wetsuits. The seams only penetrate the neoprene partially, finishing the seam with
glue to reduce irritation to the skin or in paddling zones.
Welded Seams
Found on leading kayaking wetsuit models. These seams feature gluing and taping on the inside, and neoprene welding on the outside layers for the ultimate seam durability and longest service life, with less splitting.
Heat Taped Seams
Many wetsuits add heat-taped seams to their design, allowing for better strength and durability in the hem and longer service life.
The more expensive models will use a combination of heat taped and welded seams. These wetsuits will have a higher price tag, but they bring you the best service life and a comfortable fit.
What are the Thickness Differences in Kayaking Wetsuits?
You’ll notice that wetsuits come in different thicknesses. That’s because they have a design to suit various water conditions. Unfortunately, there is no one design for all water conditions.
Wetsuits often come in thicknesses of “5/3” or “3/2.” These numbers show that the manufacturer uses thicker material in the chest, back, and upper legs and thinner materials in places like the shoulder and lower legs.
We broke down the thicknesses of neoprene in wetsuit design and how that relates to the water temperature.
- Under 50°F 5/3 – Areas like Alaska/ Maine.
- 50°F to 59°F 4/3 – Areas around Northern California.
- 60°F to 66°F 3/2 – Locations around Southern California/ Northern Mexico/Baja.
- ABOVE 69°F 2/2 – Kayaking sites around the Caribbean and tropical waters.
Choose the right neoprene thickness for your location. If your wetsuit is too thin, you’re going to get cold fast. If it’s too thick, the heat will get unbearable, and you’ll have to jump in the water to cool down.
What are the Different Types of Wetsuits?
Wetsuits are available in several different designs for different applications and water conditions. Here are the types of wetsuits available; you’ll find all of them mentioned in our reviews.
Full Suits
The full suit is the most popular wetsuit, especially in cold-water environments. These suits have long arms and legs. “Steamer models” have thermal linings that allow maximum water time in the coldest conditions.
Spring Suits
A spring suit has short arms and legs. They suit warmer seas in the winter, and they often don’t go above a 2/2mm or 3/2mm construction. They are ideal for climates like Florida, where there are mild winters.
Variations
The spring suit and full suit have several variations.
The Long Jane/ John
This suit has a sleeveless design and looks like a vest with long legs. Typically, this design is a good choice for warmer climates. It has no protection for the shoulders and arms, but you get no resistance in your paddling stroke and optimal ROM.
Short Legs/ Long Sleeves
These suits are ideal for warmer climates with a bit of wind. The long sleeves keep the wind off your arms and stop sunburn.
Wetsuit Accessories
If you’re kayaking in very cold water, you’ll need the following wetsuit accessories.
Booties
Booties are neoprene shoes for your feet., Typically, they have rubber traction on the molded soles and a slip-on design for a comfortable fit.
Hoodie
The hoodie covers your face and ears. Exostosis is a condition that occurs when you have the cold wind blowing on your ear for hours at a time on the water. The cold causes the bone in your ear to grow to protect the eardrum, and some surfers and kayakers need to have regular surgery to remove the bone. A hoodie prevents this from occurring.
Gloves
When your fingers get chilled to the bone, you’ll find it hard to hold onto the paddle. Choose a set of neoprene, thermal-lined gloves for your kayaking trip. The gloves are thin and don’t reduce the connection between your palm and the paddle.
Fitting Your Kayak Wetsuit
The fit of your kayak wetsuit is critical to how it performs in the water. Your suit should have a slightly tight fit, as it will expand a little when it gets wet as the neoprene absorbs the water. However, avoid any loosely fitting suit as it will flood and swamp.
Before researching the right size to order with the manufacturer, take the following measurements.
- Collar and Neck – Measure around the base.
- Chest – Measure the fullest part of the chest.
- Sleeves – From the collar down the outer arm and to the hem.
- Waist – measure around the waist, just below the navel. Measure around the natural waistline
- Inside-Leg – The top of the inside leg from the crotch to the ankle.
- Outside-Leg – The natural waistline to the hem.
Entry Systems – Chest or Back?
When choosing your entry system, you’ll find that you have a choice between back and chest zips. Typically, chest zips are the most convenient and the easiest to get in and out of. However, chest-zip wetsuits are usually more expensive than back zip models.
Neoprene Type
Neoprene comes in various grades, with slightly different properties between manufacturers. We recommend avoiding the cheaper wetsuits that are half the price of the models in this review because of the neoprene quality.
You might get an affordable suit, but it’s going to last half the time of a premium brand, like O’Neil. In our experience, it’s better to spend a little more when purchasing your wetsuit, and you’ll thank your good judgment after a few weeks in the suit.
Premium brands also have a better cut and fit than the cheap models. All the kayaking wetsuits in this review are top-shelf quality, featuring premium neoprene and excellent stitching and finishing.
Thermal Linings
Some of the higher-end, thicker wetsuits, like the O’Neil Hyperfreak and the Synergy, feature thermal linings. These linings give you extra warmth in priority zones around the wetsuit. They are a good choice for very cold water, such as around the Atlantic or the northern regions of the East and West coast.
Kayak Wetsuit FAQs
Q: How long does a kayaking wetsuit last?
A: With regular use, you can expect to get up to five to seven seasons out of your wetsuit. You’ll find that the material starts to thin and tear, and the seals perish and fail the longer you own it. Eventually, all wetsuits need replacing.
Q: What are the best kayaking wetsuit brands?
A: This review has the top wetsuit brands. We recommend going with surfing wetsuits for the best range-of-motion in paddling. We have options from established brands like O’Neil, Rip Curl, Synergy, and niche brands like Ho Stevie! All of the suits in this review are top-quality in design, construction, and materials.
Q: How do I maintain my kayaking wetsuit?
A: To maintain your wetsuit, rinse it in fresh water after every use. Even if it dries out by the time you get home, soak it with fresh water and squeeze the saltwater or lake water out of the neoprene. Turn the wetsuit inside out and hang it on the washing line, out of the sun. Never dry your wetsuit in the direct sunlight. The UV perishes the neoprene, reducing the lifespan of your wetsuit.
Q: Where can I buy the best kayak wetsuits?
A: We recommend you pick your kayaking wetsuit up from the world’s leading online retailer, Amazon. Amazon has the best prices and a great range of premium brands at affordable prices. Prime members get fast, free shipping, and a guarantee on your order arriving at your location.
The Best Kayak Wetsuits – The Verdict
By now, you probably have your eye on the right wetsuit for your conditions and budget. However, with so much choice, especially in full suits, which wetsuit do you go with for the best user experience? If you’re still on the fence with your purchase decision, why not go with one of our top picks. Our top models have a suite available for all water conditions and budgets.
- The Best Overall Kayak Wetsuit – Synergy Endorphin Full Suit
- The Best Premium Kayak Wetsuit – O’Neill Hyperfreak 3/2 Full Suit
- The Best Budget Kayak Wetsuit – Ho Stevie! Full Suit
