Match your wetsuit to your water temperature, your sport and how warm you like to stay.

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Standard Size or Custom Fit · Made to order · Production approximately 3–4 weeks · Free worldwide shipping · Duties and taxes paid to the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia · 1-year warranty

How to Read Wetsuit Thickness

Wetsuit thickness is measured in millimeters (mm). Thicker neoprene keeps you warmer. Thinner neoprene stretches more and is easier to move in.

Two numbers (3/2mm, 4/3mm, 5/4mm): The first number is the thickness on the torso, where your body needs the most warmth. The second is the arms and legs, kept thinner so you can paddle, pump and kick freely. Best for surfing and other active watersports.

One number (3mm, 4mm, 5mm): The same thickness throughout the suit. Best for scuba diving, freediving and spearfishing, where you move less and need even warmth everywhere.

Surf, Kite, Wing and Foil Thickness Chart

For surfing, kitesurfing, wing foiling, windsurfing, bodyboarding and water skiing.

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Scuba, Freediving and Spearfishing Thickness Chart

Divers need more neoprene than surfers at the same water temperature. You move less, you stay in longer, and neoprene compresses as you go deeper, so it holds less heat at depth.

Diving deep or doing several dives a day? Choose the warmer option.

Freediving and spearfishing: Suits with an open-cell interior feel warmer than lined neoprene of the same thickness, so many freedivers use them a little colder than the ranges above.

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Triathlon and Open Water Swimming

Triathlon wetsuits are built for swimming. They use thicker panels on the torso and hips to lift you into a faster body position, and thin, stretchy shoulders for an easy stroke.

World Triathlon rules limit wetsuits to 5mm. Each race also sets its own wetsuit rules based on water temperature, so check your race guide before you order.

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Between Two Thicknesses?

Choose the warmer option if:

• You feel the cold easily
• Your sessions or dives are long
• It is windy, cloudy or early in the morning
• You dive deep or do several dives a day

Choose the lighter option if:

• You naturally run warm
• Your sessions are short and very active
• The air is warm and the sun is out

Fit Matters as Much as Thickness

A wetsuit keeps you warm by holding a thin layer of water against your skin, which your body heats up. If the suit is loose at the neck, lower back, wrists or ankles, cold water flushes through and that warm layer is lost. A well-fitted suit can keep you warmer than a thicker suit that fits poorly.

Ocean Tailored offers both Standard Size and Custom Fit. With Custom Fit, we review your measurements before production and build the suit around your shape, so it seals where it should and moves where you need it to.

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Cold-Water Accessories

In cold water, your head, hands and feet lose heat fast. Use this as a starting point:

You can add gloves, mitts, booties and a hood when you configure your wetsuit.

Wetsuits for Kids

Children get cold faster than adults, so warmth and fit matter even more. Avoid buying a suit two sizes too big to grow into, because loose areas let cold water flush through. We make custom-fit wetsuits for kids, built to their measurements.

Wetsuit Thickness FAQ

What does 4/3mm mean on a wetsuit?

It means 4mm of neoprene on the torso and 3mm on the arms and legs. The thicker torso keeps your core warm, while the thinner arms and legs make paddling and moving easier.

What thickness wetsuit do I need for 60°F / 16°C water?

For surfing and other active watersports, a 3/2mm or 4/3mm, depending on your cold tolerance, wind and session length. For scuba diving, 60°F is cold, and a 5mm suit may not be enough for many divers. Email us and we will help you choose.

Is a thicker wetsuit always warmer?

Thicker neoprene insulates better, but fit, seals, wind and depth also affect warmth. A well-fitted suit can keep you warmer than a thicker suit that lets water flush through.

Can I use a surf wetsuit for scuba diving?

For snorkeling or shallow, warm water, yes. For scuba, a dive suit is the better choice. Surf suits have thinner arms and legs for paddling, while underwater you move less and the neoprene compresses at depth.

Does Custom Fit help with warmth?

Yes. A suit built to your measurements leaves fewer gaps at the neck, lower back, wrists and ankles, so less cold water flushes through. It is especially useful if standard sizes are usually loose on you in some areas.

How long does an Ocean Tailored wetsuit take?

Every suit is made to order. Production normally takes approximately 3–4 weeks, plus 7–10 days shipping to the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. Express production may be available.

Still Not Sure?

Email us at info@oceantailored.com. Tell us where you surf, ride or dive, the time of year and how long your sessions usually last, and we will recommend a thickness and setup for you.

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Temperature ranges are a general guide. Air temperature, wind, depth, session length, activity level, fit and personal cold tolerance all affect the thickness you need.