Are you searching for the best wetsuit for bodyboarding on the market today? You’ve come to the right place! Bodyboarders who enjoy year round adventure endure colder water temperatures for at least a portion of the year, and they need the right bodyboarding gear to keep themselves safe, warm and comfortable in the water. Additionally, a wetsuit increases your aerodynamic properties while bodyboarding, reducing drag and providing better movement while wet. A quality product will offer ample thermal protection without sacrificing flexibility or range of motion, and will keep you in the water longer.
To help you navigate the options on the market today, here we’ve gathered 5 ultimate bodyboarding wetsuits and a buyer’s guide to choose which is right for you:
Comparison Chart
Best Wetsuit for Bodyboarding Reviewed
1. Lemorecn Mens Wetsuits Jumpsuit Neoprene 3/2mm Full Body Diving Suit
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Review
The Lemorecn Men's Wetsuit is designed for all water sports, including scuba, paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, and body boarding. It is made of premium 3/2 millimeter neoprene for warmth without sacrificing flexibility and great fit. It is spot taped at the stress points and has flatlock seams for smooth surfaces that provide greater comfort and durability. It has an easy-to-reach, extra-long leash to ease putting it on and taking it off, with a heavy-duty YKK back zipper.
Lemorecn wetsuits are patterned to fit a wide range of sizes and shapes, and still fit like a glove. This wetsuit has built-in knee pads for protection and comfort, to minimize scraping. The neoprene is thicker in the chest for added warmth and thinner in the arms for flexibility. This full-body wetsuit is a great option for colder water and climates because it preserves your body warmth so you can spend hours in the water, no matter what your preferred sport is.
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2. NRS 3.0 Farmer John Wetsuit
Review
The Farmer John Wetsuit from NRS is designed to keep you warm without restricting movement. Extra-large arm holes give you the full range of motion in your arms, while the 4-way PowerSpan construction in the chest and along the sides improves fit and flexibility. It is made of 3 mm high quality terraprene neoprene. The seams are glued and blind-stitched to be smooth, comfortable, and leak proof.
Titanium laminate adhesive keeps you warmer by reflecting your heat back to your body. An extra-long, double-pull YKK front zipper makes it easy to put on and take off, and the ankle zippers make it easy to put on over booties. It also has reinforced padded knees for added protection.
The farmer cut of this wetsuit, along with the PowerSpan construction, keeps your chest warm while keeping your arms free. It's a great choice for warmer weather, warmer water, and warmer climates, because sweat doesn't build up inside the suit, and the front zipper allows you to easily loosen the suit for extra ventilation when needed. This suit won't keep you warm enough in cold climates or very cold water, but it's a great choice for a summer wetsuit or if you intend to use it as part of wetsuit layering.
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3. Hyperflex Wetsuits Men's Access 3/2mm Full Suit
Review
The Hyperflex Wetsuits Men's Access 3/2mm Full Suit is made of premium ultra-neoprene, in a variety of color and pattern options, and is great for all water sports in fresh- and saltwater. The back zip provides easy entry with a dependable YKK #10 zipper. The flat lock seams are comfortable and durable, and prevent irritation. It has Storm Force knee pads, chill breaker mesh skin panels, and underarm gussets, perfect for an entry level surfer or first-time bodyboarder. It has an abrasion-resistant textile outer surface for more comfort and protection. The anatomically cut pattern is designed to fit perfectly on a variety of body shapes, and also comes in junior and children's sizes. The Flex CUFF leg openings and adjustable neck ensure a good fit and minimize cold water flushing.
This full suit is a great compromise between body heat and ventilation, with the underarm gussets and mesh panels. It's got everything you need to protect you in cold water, without overheating you in warm weather.
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4. Phantom Aquatics Men's Marine Shorty Wetsuit
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Review
This wetsuit is made from 2.5 mm nylon II neoprene, which means that it is thick enough to easily stand up to use in any water without the person wearing the suit becoming too chilled. Thanks to the use of this high-quality neoprene, this wetsuit also does a wonderful job staying in one piece without being torn or damaged, even when the wearer bumps into jagged rocks or sits on a rocky surface.
It’s designed to not only protect the body from the cold, but prevent water from entering the suit, which keeps you dry when wearing it. The durable stitching on all of the seams, as well as the impressive neck and collar construction, helps to keep water out of the suit. This makes it ideal to wear for longer periods of time.
Thanks to the cut of the suit, it fits smoothly against the body, allowing for plenty of movement when in the water. Since it is not too bulky, nor is it too tight, movement won’t be restricted. This is great for both beginners and more advanced swimmers, as they won’t have to worry about how much control they have over their body.
The strong zipper features a long string that makes it incredibly easy to zip the wetsuit up and down, even by yourself. This is perfect for anyone who will be going into the water on their own and won’t have someone to help them get in and out of the wetsuit, as they can handle the zipper on their own.
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5. Seavenger Navigator 3 mm Shorty
Review
Wetsuits must be made from high-quality neoprene or they will easily rip and tear in the water. This suit is made from 3 mm nylon neoprene, which means that it can withstand damage and the wearer being rough on the suit. It’s perfect for wearing while surfing, as well as while scuba diving in deeper water.
Thanks to the hugging design and tighter fit of this suit, it does a great job keeping any water from entering the suit. It can be worn on its own during warmer weather or used to layer when it is cooler outside, giving users a lot of control over how they want to wear their suit. This also makes it a great investment that can be worn for most of the year.
Thanks to the flat-lock stitching on the suit, not only will it last without water leaking into the seams, but the seams won’t irritate the wearer. This is great for users who have sensitive skin and suffer from irritation from other suits. It is also designed to be comfortable for long periods of wear, so that you never have to worry about switching your suit during the day.
The unique style is attractive and eye catching, which makes anyone feel and look great when out on the water. Additionally, thanks to how flexible this wetsuit is, users won’t ever feel like their movements are being restricted. This makes it perfect for a variety of sports and to help keep wearers warm in cooler weather.
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Choosing a Wetsuit for Bodyboarding: Buyers Guide
- Travel or move to a warmer climate; or
- Invest in a quality wetsuit
Next to your bodyboard, a wetsuit is arguably your next most important piece of gear. A quality wetsuit is going to keep you warm and provide a comfortable and snug fit. Because bodyboarding involves movement of your entire body, avoiding any restriction to your range of motion or limitations on your flexibility and free movement is essential.
There are a wide range of wetsuits and brands on the market, making choosing one a bit of a challenge. Due to the uniqueness of this water sport, your search for a quality wetsuit, designed specifically for bodyboarding, should be guided by the following criteria and information:
Proper Fit
Finding a wetsuit that provides a snug fit while also allowing you freedom of movement and maintains your range of motion is a top priority. Critical points to consider in finding a wetsuit that fits your properly:
- Most brands provide a detailed sizing chart for their suits based on the following criteria: height, weight, waist, neck, chest, leg length and body length.
- For a wetsuit to function properly, it has to provide a snug fit.
- Wetsuits fit tightly but shouldn’t be painful or cut off circulation.
- The fit should not restrict your movement.
- Any air pockets or creases in the fit will allow water to enter, reducing the suits ability to keep you warm.
- A proper fit should not be roomy in the crotch area.
- A common mistake is a wetsuit that fits poorly around the small of the back. Too much space will allow the suit to billow out, filling with water.
- Wetsuits may stretch when they get wet or with use over time.
Type of Wetsuit
Based on the weather conditions and water temperatures where you’ll be surfing, will determine the type of wetsuit will best match your circumstances. The following are the type of wetsuits to consider:
- Long Sleeves and Long Legs: Long sleeves and legs also are typically thicker and provide the most warmth.
- Long Sleeves and Short Legs: A wetsuit that is more comfortable and flexibly, typically made with thinner material, better suited for more temperate conditions.
- Short Sleeves and Long Legs: Provide maximum comfort and flexibility with sufficient thermal protection.
- Short Sleeves and Short Legs: Provide the most flexibility and comfort, while still providing a level of protection for cooler waters and conditions.
Making the best choice will depend on the temperature of the waters you intended to be bodyboarding in, how much flexibility and range of motion you desire and how coverage you feel you will need.
Thermal Protection
There are three factors that will impact the amount of thermal protection (warmth) a wetsuit will provide:
- Thickness: Wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses that are measured in millimeters. The greater the thickness the more thermal protection provided but also may be more restrictive and less comfortable. Full suits come with two thickness measurements, where the legs and torso are thicker than the arm areas.
- Seams/Stitching: The quality of the seams and stitching of a wetsuit usually coincides with the cost of the product and are constructed using one of the following methods:
- Overlock Seams: The two edges of the material are rolled together and then stitched to form the seam. This is the simplest method for stitching a wetsuit and is the least effective at keeping water out. Best suited for warmer weather and water conditions.
- Flatlock Seams: Layers one edge over the other and then stitching through the material. This seam is very flexible and strong, however it creates several holes, allowing water to penetrate. Best suited for warmer weather and water conditions.
- Blindstitched Seams: The edges of the material are placed end to end and glued together and then stitched on the inside. The stitching does not penetrate to the outside of the suit, thus avoiding holes for water to penetrate. The seams are watertight and flexible, making them ideal for cold water temperatures.
- Double Blindstitched Seams: This is the ultimate seam where one side is blindstitched and then is done again on the reverse side. Used on thicker wetsuits intended for cold water and air temperatures.
Water seepage reduces a wetsuits effectiveness. Additional steps such as gluing and/or taping the seams in the higher quality suits are intended to ensure a watertight seal.
- Tolerance Levels: Each individual has different tolerance levels when it comes to the degree of cold they can endure. For those that become cold easily, a thicker wetsuit, with quality seams and stitching, that covers more of the body is probably your best option. Individuals who manage colder water and conditions with a certain degree of comfort and opt for less coverage and a thinner suit.
Wetsuit Design
Wetsuits typically come in three different design styles for entry placement and closures. The following options are your basic options to consider:
- Back Zipper: The zipper located on the back of the wetsuit (full-length or ¾ length) was the earliest closure/entry design for wetsuits. This suit is easy to put on, is less expensive than a front zipper or zipperless suit, and best suited for more temperate waters and warmer weather conditions.
- Front Zipper: The zipper is located on the chest of the wetsuit. This closure design keeps you warmer by preventing water from entering and supports greater flexibility. It is a more costly option and is more challenging to enter and exit the wetsuit.
- Zipperless: As the name implies, this wetsuit design does not have a zipper closure and is a newer innovation. The design is intended more as a performance suit, providing maximum flexibility. As a result of the design and material requirements to construct a zipperless entry the cost is exponentially more than other options.
Wetsuit Material
When you are looking for the best wetsuit for bodyboarding the material used to make the suit plays a significant role. The following are a few points to keep in mind during your search:
- A wetsuit for bodyboarding needs to be flexible, provide warmth and have a durable design and construction.
- Comfort is dependent largely on the quality of the material used in making the suit.
- A wetsuit is intended to provide warmth from environmental influences. The thermal insulation of the wetsuit should be researched to determine how effectively they reflect heat to your body.
- Neoprene is a petroleum based product and is the material used often to make wetsuits.
- Neoprene is an ideal material as it maintains flexibility, even when subjected to a variety of temperatures. It also provides great thermal insulation in cold water.
- The best wetsuits will contain super-stretch neoprene. Look to determine the percent of this material used in constructing the wetsuit.
- For the most comfort, flexibility and warmth the greater percentage of super-stretch neoprene your wetsuit will have but may not be as durable.
- Recent innovations have introduced alternative materials in the construction of wetsuits but Neoprene still is the industry leader.
Additional Factors
As mentioned previously, your bodyboarding wetsuit must have a snug fit. Any wetsuit you choose needs to be devoid of creases, gaps or pockets of space when you are wearing the suit. Additionally, the neck, and wrist and ankle cuffs should be comfortable but also need to fit tight enough to ensure there is no water flush.
In addition to a properly fitting wetsuit the following factors should be considered in your search for the best bodyboarding wetsuit for your needs:
- Double-lined material on the stomach panel will enable you to slide on your board easier.
- A single-lined wetsuit tends to wear out more quickly.
- Generally, a wetsuit with fewer seams and thus less stitching will offer more stretch in the material. This benefits the bodyboarders flexibility and range of motion, as well as being a more comfortable option.
- Wetsuit design is trending towards less panels or pieces of material in the design and construction. The fewer panels/pieces the more flexibility the wetsuit offers.
- Wetsuits that have taken the additional step of sealing the seams will cost more but provide greater prevention for water entering the suit and make the product more durable.
- Manufacturers have slight variances in their designs and fits, with some fitting certain body types better than others. Explore multiple manufacturers to determine which wetsuit best conforms to your personal body type.
- Manufacturers also typically focus more attention in their design and construction on a specific feature. Some trend more towards thermal protection, others flexibility of the suit and others on a durable, long lasting wetsuit. Be aware as you are reviewing your options.
An individual submerged in water loses body heat 25 times faster than in the air. This factor alone emphasizes the importance of having a quality wetsuit that has a snug, tight, yet comfortable fit.
Choosing the best fit and size of wetsuit will greatly improve the overall thermal protection your choice will have on keeping your warm. Utilize your physical measurements relative to the manufacturer's size chart to guide your search, while factoring in the other elements outlined in this guide.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a quality wetsuit for your bodyboarding adventures, this guide is designed to help you choose the best option for your needs on the water. Adventurers who enjoy year round bodyboarding, or cold water sport, will need the right gear to ensure their safety and comfort. Not only does a quality wetsuit offer ample thermal protection in cold temperatures without sacrificing range of motion, it also increases your aerodynamics in the water, providing easier movement and reduced drag. To choose the best wetsuit for your adventure, consider the following:
- Wetsuit Fit
- Thermal Protection
- Type of Wetsuit
- Wetsuit Design
- Wetsuit Materials
Has this guide helped you get one step closer to your next bodyboarding adventure? Join the Seaside Planet Community and share your bodyboarding experiences with us in the comment section below!
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.