What to Wear Surfing | Don’t Go Naked!

Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Matt Hapgood

If you ask what to wear surfing, I assume it may be your first time hitting the waves. Which is amazing – your life is about to change forever!

So, when it comes to surfing, your attire is basically based on two things – the temperature of the water, and the intensity of the sun.

If you are somewhere tropical like Bali you aren’t going to wear the same thing surfing as you would in Alaska for example.

I’ll split this post into two areas – surfing in cold water, and surfing in warm water. And by that I mean cold water is when its too cold for trunks, and warm water is when trunks are ok.

TL;DR (too long didn’t read)

Cold water 75°F (23°C) and below

Wetsuits

A wetsuit is essential for surfing in any water cooler than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Made from stretchy neoprene material, wetsuits provide insulation to maintain body warmth in chilly water.

The basic principle is that the wetsuit allows a certain amount of water in, your bodyheat warms this water, and if you have a great wetsuit, you will stay warm.

Wetsuit thickness range from 2mm to 6mm, with thicker suits offering a lot more warmth for colder water and some even feature a built in hood.

It’s pretty standard these days for most wetsuits to have varying thicknesses across the different panels that make up the suit.

The torso will have the thickest material with legs and arms having slightly thinner material. Armpits and around the knees may be thinner again.

This is all to do with the flexibility required for these areas of the suit – you need a range of motion when paddling so thinner material helps you do that.

Similarly, when riding a wave, to be able to crouch and extend your legs, the thinner neoprene around your knees helps you perform explosive manoeuvres.

In terms of fit, you need your wetsuit to be like a second skin, as tight as you can go without restricling blood flow and comfort!

I go into more detail below about specific wetsuits and accessories for certain water temperatues below, so read on for more.

Booties

If you are surfing in cold water you will need a pair of surf booties.

And by cold I’m talking low 50’s Fahrenheit. Wetsuit booties tend to come in a range of thicknesses, but the most common are 3mm, and 5mm. 3mm booties will just take the edge off the cold, while thicker boots will be much warmer.

In some instances, you may want to go all in on your booties and go for 6,7, or even 8mm depending on where you are surfing regularly. It is a little nuanced because our bodies are all different but here’s a general rule of thumb

Wetsuit Hood / Hat

Again this is another very nuanced piece of kit that some surfers love, and others hate.

Personally, I really like a wetsuit with a built-in hood – my go-to in Winter here in Portugal is a 4/3 with an attached hood. I like that there’s no extra bulk around my neck (like you get with an add-on hood).

Choosing when to don the wettie hood comes down to your pain threshold I guess too. When you get the dreaded brain freeze it’s probably about that time!

As a general rule of thumb, when the water is around 55°F you’re gonna need some form of warmth on the old noggin.

Neoprene Gloves

Similar to the nuance around wearing a wetsuit hood, gloves are a very personal choice. Some wetsuit gloves can be very bulky, make paddling more tiring, and generally can be a bit of a pain in the butt to be honest.

Personally, I much prefer to keep my head warm with a hood. Friends of mine would rather keep their hands warm with gloves and ditch the hood – it all depends on you as the individual.

Very similar to when you need to wear a hood, get yourself a 3mm or even 5mm pair of gloves when water temperatures get around the 55°F mark

Wetsuit Base Layer / Polypro

When it gets seriously cold, sometimes a base layer, or polypro as I call them comes in handy.

Fleece-like material on the inside, these thermal rash guards give you an extra insulating layer between your skin and your wetsuit.

So if you are surfing in seriously chilly water and your current wetsuit is not cutting it, try a thermal rash guard first to see if it helps – they are a lot cheaper than a full wetsuit and might just do the trick.

What To Wear Under A Wetsuit?

Well, now you CAN actually go naked!

I don’t wear anything under my wetsuit because I find it more comfortable.

Some people will like to wear a swimsuit, speedo or even regular underwear. I think the trick is to not wear something that is too bulky – if you were to wear a pair of baggy cargo shorts for instance

• It would be hard to get your wetsuit on
• It would NOT be comfortable at all

So depending on your personal preference, you can try a few things out and see what works for you.

Warm Water 75°F (23°C) And Above

So for me, this is where surfing is even more fun! Warm water, ideally tropical, clear and glassy is just a gift from Mother Nature!

For me this temperature is just about where you can get away with a shorty wetsuit or boardhsorts or a bikini.

Rashguards

A rashguard is designed to protect against abrasion, sun exposure, and surface irritations.

Traditionally, rashies are tight-fitting, with either short or long sleeves. They’re typically made of spandex and nylon for stretch and quick drying properties.

You would normally wear a rash guard to cover your torso, arms, and back to prevent sunburn, and irritation from your surfboard. On your bottom half go with a pair of boardies.

Most rashguards come in different styles from basic black or white to colorful prints and patterns. You can match your guard to your wetsuit or go for a stylish look.

A second way to wear a rash guard is to wear under a wetsuit to prevent the wetsuit from chafing – especially around your neck and armpits.

Surf Shirts

In warm locations like Hawaii or Southern California, surfers can ditch the wettie and opt for a surf shirt or surf tee instead. These are looser-fitting performance shirts made of moisture-wicking material with UPF sun protection. They are ideal for surfing in temperatures from 85°F and up.

Surf shirts come in sleeveless or short sleeve styles for women and men. Bright colors and funky prints are popular. The fabric is designed to be worn wet or dry. If surfing without a shirt isn’t your thing, a rashguard works perfectly fine too. The goal is to cover skin that could be exposed to unsafe sun radiation.

Boardshorts and Bikini’s

No surf outfit is complete without a pair of boardshorts.

These quick-drying shorts are made for riding waves. Look for shorts made of polyester or nylon with just the right amount of stretch. They should have a drawstring waist to secure them snugly. A velcro fly helps get them on and off smoothly.

Boardshorts are mid-to-lower thigh length. Going just above the knee gives you the flexibility required to maneuver on a surfboard. Some boardshorts have a lightweight inner liner for comfort and support during all-day surf sessions.

Solid color boardshorts are surf classics, but many prefer wild prints ranging from tropical to camouflage. Stand out in the lineup and express yourself! Just be sure to choose a sturdy pair that can handle the wear and tear of surfing.

Surf Hat

I did a deep dive into the best surf hats a while back – They are great for protecting you from the sun, allowing you to surf for longer and not get frazzled!

Made from lightweight material and almost all are SPF50+ a surf hat is a great product to have if you are either going on a surf trip to tropical waters or you regularly surf in a location where the sun is particularly strong.

Sunscreen

If you’re surfing or even just out in the water at a tropical location or even places like Southern California, the sun can reak havoc on your skin.

I have pretty much stopped using regular sunscreen altogether in favor of using all-natural surf zinc – it is easy to apply and you can actually see areas you may have missed too.

If you are looking to buy some, make sure it is ‘reef safe’ so as not to harm the ocean environment we call our playground.

Surf Watch

As part of this look at the best surf watches, I picked up an Apple watch to use when I surf. Super praticle if you have a busy scehdule like I do, but you can also track your waves, calorie burn and more.

Now I rarely go surfing without my watch, something I never thought I would do beforehand.

Footwear

On your feet, you have some options depending on water temperature and seabed conditions. Booties provide insulation, traction, and protection for cooler water. They guard against scratchy shells or rocks underfoot. Neoprene boots are a pretty standard accompaniment with a winter wetsuit.

In warmer water, you’d normally opt for a pair of reef booties – perfect if you have haole feet (or soft feet) from wearing fluffy socks and shoes all winter.

On soft sandy bottom surf spots, got all natural with bare feet.

Many surfers go barefoot in the water but carry sandals for use on shore. Whatever you feel most comfortable doing, to be honest.

Safety First!

A few safety tips:

• If you’re a beginner surfer, never surf without a leash
• Wear sun protection in high UV locations
• Opt for a helmet (yes seriously) if you are surfing shallow reef passes or super crowded lineups.

Get Out There!

So, that’s it

With the basics like a full wetsuit, rashguard, and a pair of boardshorts or swimsuit, you’ll be set to catch waves in most conditions.

Add accessories like booties, specific footwear, and shirts tailored for your local surf spot and conditions.

Most importantly, try to spend out on high-quality gear for durability, fit, performance, and protection.

Then get out there, get wet, and have a blast surfing in total comfort.

Bonus! What to wear Surfing – Temperature Guide

What to wear Surfing for 75 degrees and above

No wetsuit required for these balmy temperatures!

What you need to look out for though is damage from the sun – Rashguards or other UV protective clothing are usually enough. Places like the Philippines, Indo, Sri Lanka and other tropical waters fall into this category.

A good idea for dawnies or late evening surfs is a thin shorty, or maybe just a wetsuit jacket top.

What to wear Surfing between 71 and 75 degrees F

When the water is this warm, normally a 2mm thick wetsuit top is perfect.

These wetsuits (well, half wetsuits) can be worn in slightly warmer waters like the Mediterranean and parts of the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

If you are somewhere tropical where the wind is blowing hard, a little more coverage may be needed – if so, opt for a shorty wetsuit to stay warm in between the set waves.

What to wear surfing between 65 and 75 degrees F

Again, the air temperature an general weather will have a part to play, but you’d ok in a long-sleeved shorty or even a short sleeved, long leg wetsuit.

For example, think the Gold Coast during winter or the South West of France in August.

Surfing attire for temps between 62 and 65 degrees

For these sorts of temperatures, you’d be best off wearing a 3/2 wetsuit, ideally with GBS (glued and blindstitched) seams. They’re a higher quality seam than an el-cheapo flatlock stitch, meaning increased warmth and improved comfort.

What to wear surfing between 58 and 62 degrees

Probably best to wear a new or good quality 3/2, or even a 4/3 if you feel the cold.

What to wear surfing between 46 and 57 degrees

Now we’re getting there!

A 5/3 full suit will be the go. At the lower end of this range, you will need a pair of booties, gloves, plus a neoprene hood or hat too.

Canada and the East Coast of the US will easily get to these temperatures in Winter.

What to wear surfing for 45 degrees and below

Now for the big dogs! Below 45 is seriously cold – I remember one Winter in Wales the water got down to 42 and it was FREEZING!

You need really good quality gear to surf in these conditions regularly – 6mm hooded wetsuit, at least 5mm gloves and even 8mm booties.