20 Best Wetsuit For Kayaking (2022 Updated)

I guess I wasn’t thinking very hard when I read the description “Butterfly and hooded-style opening for ease of entry”. to be more clear, it should say: THIS WETSUIT DOES NOT HAVE A ZIPPER DOWN THE BACK.

When I saw the opening at the neck that I was supposed to fit my whole body through, I was really confused. I searched everywhere for a zipper, but there is none. Somehow, the material was actually stretchy enough for me to get it on through that tiny neckline opening, with some struggle.

Worse is that the material lies completely flat, there is no molding for the shape of a body (zero room built in for breasts / bums). That paired with the “hooded” neckline (once you squeeze your body through the tiny neckline opening, you have to get the hood over your head and around your neck, and wear it like a choker) causes a serious feeling of strangulation.

I can’t imagine wearing this for more than 5 minutes. I’m really disappointed in this design. I’m really curious what the design difference is between the men’s and women’s fits. There was nothing female specific about this fit that I could see.

It gets two stars because I’m actually quite impressed at the stretch and feel of the material (not like one I tried on a lesser store, where the material had no stretch and I could not get it on past my calves – for real).

There is a really nice soft inner lining as well. Re-configure these great materials in a way that actually make sense to fit a woman’s body, and it would get 5 stars!.

I will use the wetsuit while outrigger canoeing in the Pacific Northwest. I have a farmer Jane 3 mil from nrs which I love. It is a bit big in legs but very comfortable and warm. This full wetsuit is an origami project to get on and off.

The shoulders are very tight. That surprises me because I imagine something from NRS would be for paddlers who need arm movement. I should return it. But I am lazy and that is my bad!.

Good quality, to me it felt a bit tighter – i am usually a M -, but feeling was s/m. Anyways, a bit pricy. there are cheaper options for the same quality. I returned it and moved onto ION.

Got this for triathlon. Fits very well and looks great! Does a great job with temperature regulation and decent buoyancy. The materials do help to a degree, but remember chafing protection for long swims! A suggestion: incorporate a small, secure pocket on the inside.

There is already a mini ‘flap pocket’ where I put a key inside, but some velcro or closure would feel more secure.

At 62 I surf big waves and swim long distances 2-5 miles per day 4-5 days/week). I was 5′ 11” tall, weighed 245, with a 31” inseam, 42″ waist, and 46-47″ chest, but slender arms with only 13. 5″ biceps.

This fall I hooked up a harness in my pool and lost 20 lbs. in 2 months of swimming 1-3 miles per day. At 225 lbs I was aiming for 210 lbs. , but the water temp cooled to 68 degrees and my 3/2mm wetsuit was not warm enough.

At first I layered a 1. 5mm neoprene shirt and got more warmth and less flushing, but my arm flexibility was reduced. I decided to test 4 backzip wetsuits for colder waters; 1. Hyperflex Voodoo 4/3mm XXL (LFS) 2.

O’Neill Epic 4/3mm XXL (GBS) 3. O’Neill HEAT 4/3mm XXL (LFS) 4. Quiksilver Syncro 5/4/3mm XXL (LFS) 1. Hyperflex Voodoo – My first shock was that the Voodoo was the hardest suit to put on by far even over a thin lycra bodysuit partly because of the non-slip fleece lining, but also because the arms were very tight even on my skinny arms, and the suit was very tight around my shoulders.

I needed help pulling the floodgate over my head, and to zip the suit up. Over all I felt like I was in a more restrictive 5mm “standard 50% flex neoprene” wetsuit rather than a 100% stretch suit. I could not imagine swimming 1/2 mile in this suit because of the lack of flexibility.

2. O’Neill Epic 4/3 mm XXL (GBS) AND 3. O’Neill HEAT 4/3mm XXL-short (LFS) The 2 O’neill suits both went on SO easily it absolutely shocked me, and both fit me absolutely perfectly even thought the HEAT was a 2XL-Short and the Epic just an XXL.

The Epic 4/3mm would have stretched out a bit more in length in the legs if I needed it to. The HEAT fit me perfectly like a body skin. The Neoprene in both suits was absolutely buttery, and both felt far more flexible than the Voodoo 4/3mm or than a NeoSport Xspan 5mm had felt a month earlier.

The heat retention of the front panel in both suits was immediately evident. The Liquid Fluid Seal over all the seams on the HEAT 4/3mm suit were totally stretchy, and the added back heat panels convinced me it would be significantly warmer than the Epic 4/3mm with GBS.

The shape of the neck in both suits put a little pressure on the front of my throat – perhaps because my posture is really poor – but this issue became completely unnoticeable once I took the Heat 4/3mm and then the Epic 4/3mm into the water.

4. Quiksilver Syncro 5/4/3mm XXL (LFS) – For a cold water suit, this would have been my second choice behind the O’neill HEAT 4/3mm with LFS. It went on easily even with the back floodgate, and I was able to zip it up without help from my wife.

The Neoprene felt absolutely wonderful and stretchy, and the suit felt totally comfortable once zipped up. I knew I could swim miles warmly in this suit. But it was at least 3-4 inches too long in the legs, and the arms were also a little long for me, bulging a little around my biceps, which would not be good in cold water.

If I lost the extra 20 lbs. the Quiksilver Syncro XXL would become way too loose. Since the O’neill HEAT 4/3mm obviously fit me the best, and would fit well at 20lbs less, it felt the warmest, and it felt flexible enough to do my longest swims, I put it back on, threw on some 5mm NeoSport booties, donned a swim cap and 3mm Neosport gloves, stepped down into a pool of 58 degree water, hooked myself into my swimming harness and swam a mile.

I felt NO water getting in through the neck, or the seams of the O’neill HEAT wetsuit, and I felt NO chill at all !!! In fact, after about a quarter mile I pulled down on the front collar to let in a little cool water as I heated up.

Seeing the recommended water temperature range of 45-60 degrees of the HEAT, I decided to immediately try the O’Neill Epic 4/3mm GBS too. In the 58 degree water I felt just a little more cool water seeping in than with the HEAT, but I was warmed up from the mile swim so I decided to swim another 1/2 mile.

The Epic swam so easy I decided to keep the O’neill Heat 4/3mm for waters 45-58 degrees, the O’neill Epic 4/3mm for 57-68 degrees, and my Neosport XSpan 3/2mm for waters 68 degrees and up.

It fits true to size being a tall thin guy can be hard to find a wet suit that fits true to size. Recently used 40-50 degree water at it kept me comfortably warm. So far the quality is really good. The zipper is heavy duty compared to previous wetsuits used.

Seem stitch quality is high. It’s a good looking wetsuit.

I received one of these directly from Bare. It was sent to me to replace a defective Bare Elastek 2014 model (liquid tape was peeling off after a couple dives). I haven’t dove with the new Bare Reactive yet, so these are just some initial impressions.

But first, thumbs up to Bare – they did the replacement without any drama or hassle. I do suspect that Bare knew about a wide spread problem involving the liquid tape noted above. Anyway, Bare said ‘we don’t make the Elastek line any more, tell us what size / color you want we’ll send you a Reactive’.

That was pretty nice given the fact that the Reactive has a much higher MSRP than the Elastek. So, up til now – from the Bare family – I’ve had 2 Elasteks and this Reactive. As for the Reactive. PROs – Great craftsmanship.

The seams, the zippers, the fabric / liners laminated to the neoprene – nice. – Lots of nice features – smooth skin inner sleeves at wrists and ankles, zips at ankles (5mm & 7mm), large smooth to smooth guset inside the back zip, a suit saver feature on the ‘hook’ portion of the neck velcro (why don’t more mfr’s do this – it’s so easy and inexpensive) – Really soft stretchy neoprene.

One of the upsides to soft stretchy neoprene is that it’s easier to don, and they can be made to fit users more snugly – but there is a downside, keep reading. CONs – Actual fit versus size chart – Bare is not the only maker doing this, their size chart (at least at the low end) instructs you to buy a size smaller than what will fit.

Xcel and Aqua Lung do the same thing – I also own their suits. I’m a short very lean guy, longish torso and shortish legs. I have found over-and-over, if I buy the XS recommended by the size chart, I simply cannot get into it.

Incidentally, you have to go to the Bare web site to see the full chart – LP leaves the XS size off the chart. – Fit – So my Reactive mostly fits well. Chest, shoulders, thighs, calves, neck – all very snug.

But there’s a bunch of excess material in the butt and in the kidney area. I don’t know why, the previous Elasteks were not this way. – About the stretchy neoprene – nice as it feels, it makes me nervous.

There’s an old axiom – soft and stretchy crushes at depth. Hence the common advice to not use surf suits for scuba. The Reactive neoprene as about as soft and stretchy as my Xcel surf suit (it’s high end, with Celliant liner – just like this Reactive).

Hmmm.

I purchased a size large. I am 6’0″, 198lbs, athletic build. The sizing was accurate, but the arms are slightly small in circumference all the way up the arm. I have broad hands and big wrists, but overall do not have unusually large arms for my body type.

Getting the arms of the suit on is difficult, to the point that some of the branding rubber on the forearm tore the first time I tried on the suit. This did not affect the integrity of the seams or the suit overall in the slightest – just an aesthetics issue.

It is a minor detail, but was worth noting. It makes me wish the arms had the same zipper that the ankles have. Overall, this suit fit similarly to how a Henderson 5mm in XL fits me. The neck is a bit tight because the base of the neckline rides farther back on my collar than where my neck muscles meet my collar in the front.

It isn’t enough to choke me, It is just noticeable. The Reactive layer inside works like a dream. It functions almost too well when I’m not in the water – If I wear this in a warm climate with cool water, I will need to dress just before entering the water, and be prepared to remove or drop the top to the waistt when exiting the water.

I bought the hooded vest as well, so I could wear this in water typically cold enough for semi-dry or drysuit diving. with the hooded vest (that also has the reactive mineral tech) I am 100% confident I can dive in 45 degree water with this.

I am excited to dive with my new 5 mm Bare wetsuit. Its my first wetsuit. I am very cold natured and am tired of shivering on my dives. I’m an awkward shape. short (5’6) and. i like to use “girthy” (175 lb) and bare was the only company that i was close to ALL the measurements.

The suit fits very snug (MLS). and is only long in the arms. I have only 2 pool dives in it so far, and i could tell right away it will be very warm. I found myself opening the neck to let water in to cool me down.

It is very buoyant. but, hey. its a 5mm wetsuit! I wish i had more dives in the ocean with it for a proper review, as for now. fit is good, function seems to be good. durability has yet to be seen.

Very pleased with the suit. My wife ordered this so I’m writing the reveiw on her account. She ordered both the chart size and the next size up, but didn’t need to as the chart size was spot on. Easy to put on and take off and comfortable too.

Recently (May)spent an entire day on the river with this suit combined with a decent cag and boots and it performed great. The weather changed from sunny to windy and cold but I stayed very comfortable indeed.

Best price from escape water sports and fast delivery and return of redundant suit. Very pleased.

Good fit and size correct as stated. seems to be well made with a good front zip for ease of getting on and off without help which is a great asset. Will shortly be able to try out kayaking now the weather is warming up 😊👍👍.

This type of wetsuit was recommended for kayaking and it fits and work excellently. Comfortable once on and gives enough warmth for the Autumn weather. Arms are free to paddle with no rubbing and the sizing guide on the website is accurate.

I am pleased with this wetsuit. I put it on and got in some 60 degree water for about half an hour and was quite comfortable. I like the nylon zippers, which will take a lot less maintenance that the metal zippers on my older wetsuits.

The extra layer of padding on the knees and below will help when kneeling on bottom when I am taking U/W photos. The fabric inside and out makes it easier to get on and off and will make the suit much more durable.

The seams are well constructed. I am not a rescue diver any more, so I will probably find some armbands to cover up the printing on the arms, at least for when I am in my inflatable where I might be mistaken for a rescue diver.

I was worried the XL might not fit my shoulders and stomach, but with a little tugging the suit went on. A wetsuit should not be loose so the fit is great. As a former commercial oil field diver, I am pleased with this suit.

The suit is warm and well-constructed. The hi-viz yellow is a nice touch and makes it easier to spot when you’re in the water. The 2mm on top is more flexible than a traditional full-sleeve, but it is still restrictive (as should be expected).

The inner lining on the top is a nice touch and helps fight that cold/wet/slimy wetsuit feeling you get if it does not fully dry between uses.

I bought the Fiji 3-piece paddle so I could have a break-down paddle to take with my inflatable SUP when I travel. It works well for that and is lightweight and well-made. The paddle itself seems a little flimsy, although it has not broken.

I wonder how well it will hold up to the baggage pounders at the airlines. Only time will tell. the adjustments are good and it seems of high quality. Maybe the goal was to make the blade somewhat flimsy so it would flex and not break, like regular blade would/could do.

The plastic of the blade does seem to be the type that is pretty flexible but durable. There aren’t a lot of choices out there for a break-down paddle so this is what you get.

This suit is toasty warm, but super buoyant. Purchased the 5 mil, doubled my weight (10 lb increased to 20) and still had to work to descend. Once at depth, I felt overweighted, then had difficulty staying at 15′-20′ for my safety stop ?? I never attained neutral buoyancy.

On my third dive I had a near-fatal episode of IPE. I’m a fit, experienced diver and am sure my inexperience with the suit contributed to the development of IPE. The specs on this suit need to include buoyancy info.

It was my first 5 mil suit.

Love it! My forearms are thinner than the sleeves but it seems that colder water on my forearms is not that bothersome. I have a hard body to fit – the same measurement for bust and hips – so all my suits are somewhat tight on top, but that cannot be helped unless I do custom and I do not like the designs.

Happy with it!.

I’m 6 foot; 180 lbs; 47yr old male; in shape and this wetsuit fits me fine. I wore it once so far while paddling and it kept me toasty — perhaps I need to wear it when its cooler out; because I felt a bit too warm after kayaking for two hours.

Perfect fit except too short in crotch area. Very sturdy fabric…looks great!! Enjoyed friendly banger with Mikey. Don’t like having this character counter, though.

Fits perfectly and was a great deal on a budget-friendly wetsuit.

Very good quality wetsuit and at reasonable price.

Great quality. Super fit

I am no spring chicken (70 years old) and missed the one-hour swim cutoff for the Sunshine Coast 70. 3 triathlon last year by three minutes. I was determined to do everything I could make the cutoff this year.

I worked hard on my swimming technique and fitness and I bought this wetsuit. I could immediately feel the difference in buoyancy. I felt like I hardly needed to kick because I felt so much on the surface.

And this wetsuit is comfortable. The instructions said to expect a well fitting wetsuit to take ten to fifteen minutes to get on. I practiced with it in my local pool and then the ocean before my event and after a few times of wearing it, I was able to get it on in 7 minutes.

Bottom line: I made the swim cutoff (six minutes faster than last year) and this wetsuit certainly helped. A quality product that’s worth every penny.

I’ve had a few other mid-level sleeveless suits from other brands, but when the last one catastrophically blew out after 1 season, I took the advice of a few others in my ocean swimming group and decided to invest in a higher quality suit, and I have to say, it’s been well worth it! The Maverick fits like it’s been tailored to me and is the most comfortable suit I’ve worn.

It moves with you rather than fighting you or restraining you. Interestingly, the Maverick may not be the most buoyant overall, but when swimming it seems to do a better job of putting you in an optimal position, focusing the float through your legs.

It might benefit from a touch more width/coverage across the chest (it’s cut a little narrow) for the broad shouldered/chested, but I suppose it keeps the arm openings well away from my armpits (no chafing!).

It’s also not quite as warm as some of the other offerings, but the enhanced swimming experience is worth it to me. I can’t definitively say it’s faster yet, but it sure feels like it!.

Not as warm as I was expecting. The Orca suit was to replace a Lomo, which was much warmer, although let too much water in at the neck. The neck fits really well on the Orca, but find the the fit around the forearms and lower leg slack, so there is an ingress of water.

The legs finish high above the ankles, so there is a gap between the tops of my wetsuit socks and the leg bottome. I think it is more to do with my body shape, as I have tried many swimming wetsuits, and this is the best fitting so far.

I do like the stretchyness of the neoprene acroos the chest and shoulders.

This is the first wetsuit I have bought, but after some research into entry-level neutral buoyancy wetsuits for open water swimming I went for this model. The quality is excellent and it is very good value for money.

After my first 1. 5 hour open water swim the backs of my knees were quite badly chafing, possibly due to the seam in the wetsuit at the back of the knee but it seems most wetsuits have this and I’m hoping some anti-chafing balm will stop this in the future.

I’m very happy with my purchase, and the wetsuit was delivered very quickly.

I ordered this suit as I could not get the right size in the uk, I was a little nervous about getting from across the waters as I was also on a tight deadline for a holiday. Absolutely brilliant service, from the minute I ordered, I had tracking, it came so quickly really really pleased.

Suit fits perfectly I could not be happier with it. Sadly not used it yet as because of the coronavirus my lovely holiday is cancelled. Suit I will say looks really good quality and fits like a glove perfect.

Would defo use this company again.

Item as described, very comfortable, pleasant to contact with the skin. Although it is highly subjective, it is easier for me to dress than two other companies that I have tried on recently, which is why I leave this one for myself.

There was a delay of several days in relation to the originally declared date, but in general I recommend this shop / site 100%.

The product is exactly as a description. I am 183cm, weight 82, took XL size. Fits perfectly.

The good: Medium Tall fit me well. Im 6′ and 155 pounds. Zippers at the ankles really help when putting it on. Fits tight so should be warmer. I’ve worn this suit in 52 degree (felt a bit cold) and 72 degree (felt quite warm) water with no complaints.

Not so good: Smells like MARIJUANA! Everything it touches and everything that touches the thing it touched. My whole life smells like sticky icky now. It sounds funny but this is seriously bad. I washed the heck out of it, used wetsuit cleaner, no dice.

I dont smoke weed. I wear socks or plastic grocery bags over my feet while putting on the suit, without this trick its slow and tedious to get my legs through.

I am in a state dive school that is training us in 48 degree Fahrenheit water. They issued us 7mil wet suits. As you can imagine that’s not enough for that cold water. I purchased this suit to wear underneath the 7mil.

It worked great at trapping in the warm water. Couldn’t be more happy with my purchase.

Great fitting and comfortable wetsuit reasonably priced. Customer service at Leisure Pro is A+. Would highly recommend the Mares wetsuit and Leisure Pro

These are well made and good value with excellent features including protection on the knees pads and on bum to the back of the thigh area. Additional drainage holes on the back of the knees (see pictures).

I am 5’10 and have a 42 inch chest and initially went for the Large. Length is almost perfect. Almost a perfect fIt , this is tight to feet although very close fitting as indeed a wetsuit should be , very small gaps on lowest part of legs.

However the chest really is too tight! However I then thought would I be happy in this all day long as the chest with zip done up is really quite tight – I knew I was on the limit. NOTE: The side panels by the chest are just 1mm material.

The arms are un-restrictive. Perfect for paddle boarding. Also Ordered the XL to compare as I am on the limit with Large sizing- I will wear a rash vest with long sleeves. The XL fits great around my 42″ chest without feeling tightly restrictive however the lower legs are very slightly flappy beneath the knees at the bottom 6′”- Not big deal – I have normal calf muscles! There is a small amount of lose fill in the bum area too The lower back is close fitting.

I would prefer the Large for short sessions and the XL for all day. Outcome : Sent the Large back – The XL although not perfect is the more comfortable fit without feeling restricted or ‘at the maximum’ sizing , especially across the chest.

Hope this is helpful!.

Very pleased.

TranslateShow in original language. eben nicht perfekt! Ich bin 1,72 m groß, trage Hosengröße 40/42 und im oberen Bereich eher eine 38 mit einem C/D Körbchen. Soweit passte der Anzug in Größe L ganz gut (XL war einiges zu groß).

Ich hatte einen schwarzen Anzug erwartet (habe ich vielleicht überlesen), dieser hat jedoch ein dunkleres grau, sieht aber auch schick aus. Die Verarbeitung erscheint mir gut. Bei der Anprobe ist mit keine Naht unangenehm aufgefallen, nichts schief oder schlecht vernäht.

Im Wasser und auf dem SUP, habe ich ihn nicht getestet, da ich den Anzug wahrscheinlich umtauschen werde. Jetzt aber das ABER: – Am Hals ist er ziemlich eng, was ich persönlich als unangenehm und störend empfinde, obwohl mein Hals sehr schlank ist.

– Im Wadenbereich (ab dem Knie) ist er recht weit und liegt nicht gut an, hier könnten die Mädels mit kräftigeren Waden glücklich werden. Ich finde es an mir optisch etwas seltsam. – Die Rückennaht hat eine komische Position, die ich etwas unvorteilhaft finde, da es den Oberkörper sehr lang errscheinen lässt.

Dies mag aber jede anders sehen. Eine Naht auf Hosenbundhöhe hätte mit persönlich besser gefallen. Fazit: Preis Leistung passt in jedem Fall und für gelegentlichen Einssätze eigentlich völlig ausreichend.

product suits well but didn’t try it in the water yet

I like the blue Color. I hope the product is nice by swimming.

I now have a couple of R1 Yulex wetsuits: An R1 with short legs and an R1 Lite steamer. I love them both. Previously I used a Rip-Curl E bomb which eventually wore so thin I can see sunlight through the shoulders and I’ve have an Oneill 5/4 which is a few years old, and not aging to durably to be honest………….

so when I make statements about wetsuit quality it’s based on experience of top-of-the-line equipment being used to death. As soon as I found out Patagonia were making responsible wetsuits (and as soon as I needed a new one) I jumped in and bought one, despite my surfing buddies warning me against buying a rubber suit instead of ‘a proper one’.

They buy a new one every two years by the way……. The R1 is an L, and took a couple of weeks to ‘break in’ around the shoulders, but the R1 lite is size LT and didn’t need any breaking in at all. Both suits get punished a couple of times per week, there’s so much board wax and surf-mud on them they are barely black any-more, but they are both fully functional and reliable in every way.

These suits rule.

Very Disappointed with this wetsuit, Started falling apart after a few months. Fit , Freedom & Warmth were good otherwise. just poor quality Patagonia would not replace under warranty, despite their feel good advertising The ankle cuff ripped near all round after a few months the tape started coming away on both ankles after a few weeks I was expected to send the wetsuit away, at the start of winter!!! for an undisclosed period!!! Then wait for the next ankle to fall off and send it away again, despite the tape coming away from both disappointing because, My Patagonia Spring Suit is fantastic, best summer suit ever, 3 seasons in, hardly any signs of wear & tear based on that bought the steamer.

Steamer is very poor quality compared to Spring suit Shopping for a backup suit now for a surf trip and ended up on here, from a comparison site, but its hard to justify the spend at Patagonia again when the quality is 50-50 just like the other guys.

I’ve owned now for only 1 month. Size guide was spot on for fit, so make sure you check it, sizes differ from other makes. When you first try it on, it’ll be tight, this is normal, within 2 weeks of use (3 + times a week) it’ll be exactly right.

I’m in Newcastle, NSW and can’t fault the suit’s warmth or performance. Good to get something environmentally aware as well. Hand and feet cuffs are very well thought out, chest zip is also well thought out to avoid failure (my biggest issue with suits).

Inner lining is warm. Only issue I’ve had is one of the outer seams on the leg is coming loose. I’m told that Patagonia fix this issue for free, for the life of the suit under warranty. I’ll return it for repairs when the water gets warmer.