We Reviewed The Best Women’s Wetsuits of 2025
- Jackie Connor
- Apr 30
- 17 min read
In a male-dominated sport such as surfing, it can be difficult to find gear specifically tailored to women. Luckily, the women’s surf industry has grown tremendously in the past decade. And after a lot of testing, it’s safe to say that the current state of women’s wetsuits is impressive. All the suits included in this review are suits we’d feel comfortable recommending to a friend or family member for their cool and cold-water adventures.
Our lead testers have been surfing for more than four decades combined, and as a team, we continue to research the latest and greatest in women’s wetsuit trends and technologies to keep this article as current as possible. Over the past couple of years, we’ve tested more than 30 of the top women’s wetsuits on the market to bring you the best of the best.
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Related: Best Men’s Wetsuits | Best Wetsuit Booties | Surf Gear Reviews
The Best Women’s Wetsuits of 2025
Best Overall Women’s Wetsuit: Billabong Furnace Natural
Runner-Up Best Overall Women’s Wetsuit: O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire
Most Sustainable Women’s Wetsuit: Patagonia Regulator
Best Value Women’s Wetsuit: Roxy Prologue
Most High-Performing Women’s Wetsuit: Xcel Comp+
Best Overall Women’s Wetsuit
Available In: 4/3mm, 5/4 hooded
Materials: Natural Hevea rubber, 100% recycled textiles for inner and outer lining
Features: Sustainable natural rubber, exterior seam seal, key loop in chest zip
Pros: Lightweight, stretchy, warm, and stylish
Cons: Some minor leakage in the chest
Living up to its name, Billabong’s Furnace Natural wetsuit is a buttery experience that combines comfort, style, warmth, and flexibility. For those who value warmth and practicality in a wetsuit, this one did not disappoint. To reduce its environmental impact, Billabong has made a significant shift in using FSC-certified natural rubber found in Hevea trees in their wetsuits. Though some brands tout sustainability, the trade-off is often stretch and weight, and this is why The Furnace Comp scored a top rank. The suit never felt heavy, no matter how long the tester used it. Whether it was a 30-minute or a two-hour session, the rubber felt lightweight and restriction-free, allowing our tester to last longer in the water, including paddling, navigating the lineup, and catching waves.
This ranking was a close call to the O’Neill Hyperfreak fire, as, by reputation, the O’Neill suits tend to offer more flexibility and warmth. Our tester kept reaching for both suits, but ended up with the Billabong for its lightweight material. Additionally, the inner lining wasn’t as tight around her neck as the O’Neill, though it did let some water in through the chest/neck area as a result.
The graphene-infused lining extends across the chest and the back, where heat conservation matters most, keeping surfers consistently warm. And despite the colder-than-average water temperatures in Southern California this season, the 3/2 Furnace kept body heat contained while remaining quite flexible.
Flexibility is where this suit really shines. Billabong strategically uses a lightweight material, or its Airlite 4D exterior and a Smart foam core for unrestricted paddling, which comes in handy anywhere north of Orange County’s Santa Ana Rivermouth. The stretch factor made it easy to stay active for hours without feeling fatigued. An added plus that our tester is most elated about: this suit did not feel restrictive, no matter the body curves – the Billabong Furnace adjusted and did not pinch in areas that required a little extra stretch.
Our tester also loves to surf Trestles, and there’s quite a walk to the beach, so one of the big bonuses about this suit is the soaking wet weight. Out of all the wetsuits tested, the Billabong Furnace was also on the lighter side, weighing at just over two pounds wet, making it a great option to pack in any day pack when walking a ways to the beach. The O’Neill also shone in this area, but held a little more water, which ended up at the bottom of her pack. Read our full review of the Billabong Furnace Natural here.
Runner-Up Best Overall Women’s Wetsuit
Available in: 3/2mm+, 4/3mm+Materials: Limestone neoprene made with recycled oyster shells and eco carbon black, recycled materials used in wetsuit lining
Features: Extra .5mm of thickness, exterior sealed seams, key pocket on calf
Pros: Very warm and flexible
Cons: No hood, odd pinching in thighs, neck is too small
The O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire wetsuit offers a primo experience for those who need both flexibility and warmth in the water. Incorporated with Technobutter 4x (TB4) technology, or recycled graphene fibers into its latest heat technology, the Hyperfreak Fire creates an easy paddling, surfing, and waiting for waves experience.
Compared to its older sibling, the Hyperfreak (featured below), the Hyperfreak Fire is focused more on warmth, though it is missing the hood option that the Hyperfreak offers. The TB4 firewall layer heats up from body heat and conducts the heat back to the body, essentially creating a warmth cycle. The added layer did feel as though it stuck to our tester’s skin after a while; it almost felt as though it was holding itself in place with little rubber stoppers located at the wrists and ankles, but the suit overall was easy to manage and take off as needed. Even as our tester watched the water temps drop, the only parts of her body that felt the chill were her head, hands, and feet.
Regarding flexibility, it was a tough call between the Hyperfreak Fire and Xcel’s Comp+, though the Hyperfreak Fire is one of the most flexible suits available, the added layer of fiber made this suit feel slightly more restrictive than Xcel’s Comp+, but with the caveat that surfers will last longer in chillier water.
The silicone-based urethane sealed exterior and triple-glued, blind-stitched interior make this wetsuit very flexible, despite the added firewall. The exterior seals run parallel to the hands and arms and help minimize water entry, making it a very comfortable experience. It’s hard to consider this a proper 3/2mm suit with the added firewall layer, and our tester knocked O’Neill’s Hyperfreak Fire for calling itself a 3/2 millimeter, though in reality, it’s a 3.5/2.5mm, which O’Neill calls a “3/2+”. Compared to Billabong’s Furnace Natural, the wetsuit fibers had a rougher, less comfortable feel, and the neck was a little tighter as well, which edged it out of the top spot.
The chest zip is a free-floating zipper panel and is equipped with an anti-flush barrier speckled with drain holes to keep water from freezing your top half. Not too many complaints on the curvier side of things – this suit felt like it molded to our tester’s contours as needed, though there was some odd pinching in her thighs. The good news: no flushing and surprisingly flexible for how warm this suit is.
Most Sustainable Women’s Wetsuit
Available In: R1 (3mm/2.5mm), R2 (3.5mm/3mm), R3 (4.5mm/3.5mm), R4 (5.5mm/4mm)
Materials: Yulex Natural Rubber, 100% recycled nylon
Features: Free-floating front zipper, key loop in front zip, Patagonia repair policy
Pros: Warm, flexible, eco-friendly material, Patagonia repair policy
Cons: Expensive
Never has an unusually cold fall and winter felt so warm. Patagonia’s R2 Regulator has been the ticket to a lot of our testers’ windier surf adventures. As a standout in the eco-friendly community, this suit was consistently one of the warmest due to its 0.5 millimeters of extra rubber and thermal lining – a great choice if water temps are on the colder side.
Fair Trade certified, the suit is made from 85% Yulex natural rubber that is FSC certified by the Rainforest Alliance and 15% synthetic rubber. Additional features include a front-zip entry with a key loop, flexible yet durable kneepads and cuffs, a warm thermal lining made from recycled materials, and all the external seams are 100% sealed.
The seams are triple-glued and blind-stitched to enhance durability. The asymmetrical chest zip feature keeps the chills out without restricting movement or pulling out hair. Built and tested by women surfers, this suit pays attention to curves, namely in the hips. Not once did our tester feel restricted when walking on the sand and paddling out. The suit may have been a bit tight around her neck, but that may stretch as time goes on.
Although the suit is only available in solid black, it is function at its finest. The R2 (3.5/3mm) is a bit thinner than your classic 4/3 at 3.5/3mm, but is incredibly warm. You’ll have a hard time distinguishing it from a 4/3. It’s incredibly flexible out of the gates and feels comparable to traditional neoprene (if not better).
It’s hard to compare eco-friendly suits because different suits will use different combinations of materials. Our tester had access to a Finisterre wetsuit, and comparatively, Patagonia’s felt a lot less stiff, though one caveat here: our tester doesn’t have the latest Finisterre. In comparison to the Billabong Furnace Natural, we found the Patagonia suit to be slightly less stretchy.
When compared to a neoprene wetsuit, such as the Hyperfreak Fire or the Roxy Elite, this suit can keep up, with our tester noticing minor differences between the other suits. She also noted Patagonia’s R2 suit dries a lot faster than previous iterations, which makes it very convenient during a chillier winter season.
Like all things Patagonia, we trust that this suit is well-made and will withstand the test of time. And perhaps the most sustainable aspect of the wetsuit is Patagonia’s repair policy. When the suit stops keeping the water out, instead of tossing it in the bin and buying a new one, Patagonia encourages you to send in your wetsuit for repairs, and they’ll do their best to make it seaworthy again. And the longer a wetsuit lasts, the more sustainable it is. For surfers who care about the ocean and its ecosystems, this is a great way to align values with gear.
For colder waters, check out the R3 (4.5/3.5mm) and R4 (5.5/4mm).
Best Value Women’s Wetsuit
Materials: Limestone neoprene made with recycled tires
Features: Back zip, smoothie panels on chest and back, key loop in back zip
Pros: Budget-friendly, easy entry, minimal paddle resistance
Cons: Hair catches in back zip, not super warm
With all the hype that surrounds zipperless entries, it was nice to simply step into the Roxy Prologue Backzip Wetsuit and not worry about dislocating a shoulder. This was by far the easiest and fastest wetsuit to put on and take off due to the back zip. However, it comes with a price, namely decreased warmth, and for those who are thinner blood like our tester, their session might be on the shorter side. Though definitely not the warmest wetsuit on the market, the Roxy Prologue wetsuit is lightweight, making it easier to paddle. The suit uses a combination of Freemax neoprene in the body and legs for durability and Hyperstretch 3.0 in the arms. The unique combination gives the suit its softer feel, and therefore, more flexibility and comfort.
The knee pads provide extra cushion for knee paddling if a nice day of longboarding in the sunshine is the call. The neck closure is adjustable, which, in comparison to the O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire’s tighter neck, is a welcome feature to prevent choking, albeit a fantastic trap for long hair. If you have longer hair, tie it back. The back zipper does grant the ocean easier access to creep down surfer’s spines, therefore, this may not be the best choice for those colder days. That said, we fully recommend this suit for water temperatures 63 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
When comparing the Roxy Prologue wetsuit to any other chest zip, such as its upgraded cousin, the Roxy Elite, there are different levels of warmth surfers will achieve – the chest zip is going to keep you warmer, but the back zip is a lot easier to put on and take off. In this age-old debate, ask yourself which is more important to you when purchasing a suit: time spent getting in and out of a suit or staying warm while in the water?
For those who are on a tight budget, have places to be and a limited amount of time to spend in the water, or can hang in colder climates, this wetsuit can be a great choice, saving them not only money but also time spent putting on and taking off the suit.
Best Performance Women’s Wetsuit
Available In: 3/2mm, 4/3mm, 5/4mm hooded
Materials: Nanoprene Light Japanese limestone neoprene, dope-dyed yarn
Features: Key loop in front zip, lightweight thermal lining throughout
Pros: Lightweight, flexible, smooth panel
Cons: Thinner lining, odd leakage around the shoulder
The waves were good, and crowds were miraculously thin at Trestles, and our tester was prepared for a longer surf sesh with her Xcel Women’s Comp+. Though performance suits might sacrifice heat over flexibility, our tester thought maybe it was the suits’ Japanese limestone nano neoprene that distracted her from the cold water. It is the most comfortable of all suits.
The orange-striped wetsuit interior does more than just look cool: it is a water-wicking, thermo-drying infrared neoprene that keeps body temperatures warmer via heat capture. It then recycles the heat, though this suit’s purpose is not as much warmth as it is performance. But even with chillier temperatures, our tester still stayed fairly warm and comfy. That said, if feeling toasty is the goal, check out Xcel’s Drylock.
This suit’s minimal seams and higher stretch materials allow unrestricted movement, whether it’s paddling, popping up, or cruising/shredding down the line. Despite the Fusion X tape located at the intersection of the suit’s triple-glued, blind-stitched seams, this suit still remained flexible without any funky skin scratches.
When comparing it to O’Neill’s Hyperfreak Fire or Billabong’s Furnace Comp Chest Zip, Xcel’s Comp+ felt lighter weight, still maintained a decent amount of warmth, and above all, was the most flexible. Though not as warm as the other two suits, the Xcel Comp+ is a great option for those who prioritize flexibility in their surf game.
Xcel’s lower-priced and lighter-weight model, the Xcel Comp, offers a more affordable and flexible experience. By comparison, the Xcel Comp+ does offer a little more warmth and protection from this season’s conveniently colder water temps. When surfing a performance surfboard, in our tester’s opinion, paddling is a priority over warmth, and this suit shone in crowds and more competitive breaks that require a little more paddling power.
Final verdict? If affordability is a factor, choose the Xcel Comp. If a little extra warmth, flexibility, and water resistance are the priority, choose the Xcel Comp+. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little extra to be a little warmer and more flexible in crowded spaces.
Materials: 80% Neoprene / 20% Polyamide
Features: No-zip entry, stitch-free welded seams, key loop at chest
Pros: Super warm, fleece lining is cozy, flexible feel
Cons: Zip-free entry is difficult, especially when the wetsuit is dry, fleece lining traps sand
A great choice for those prioritizing warmth and flexibility, Rip Curl’s E7 Flashbomb Fusion features combine sleek, simple design and, best of all, no leaky seams, no hair-catching zippers. Read that again–wettie with no seams. Well, at least 96% of the wetsuit has no seams. And as Rip Curl says: “No seams = no leak = no problem.”
When considering the unusually cold fall and winter paired with some of the largest surf Southern California has seen in decades this past December, the E7 Flashbomb Fusion is by far one of the warmest suits on the market with a solid lining to boot.
The first difference we noticed from a previously owned Rip Curl wetsuit (circa 2013) was that the E7 Flash-Lining was a lot less fuzzy than the original models. The fuzziness was never something we loved, and the new model proved to be more comfortable and offered more stretch than its predecessors.
Despite it being a 3/2mm suit, it kept our tester unflinchingly warm in temps as low as 56 and had minimal leakage. Because this suit insulated her so well, any small amount of leakage was immediately felt through its fleece-lined interior. However, cleaning this suit became a challenge because the fleece became heavier, and sand or gravel would easily stick to the interior.
Zip-free wetsuits have been trending lately, and personally, we think it seems like a weird upgrade, but we were interested in trying it out. We suspected a zip-free wetsuit would be more difficult to put on, and we were proven wrong until we got to the head portion. Getting the body into the suit was easy, but getting the neck section over the head was challenging to get both on and off. With time, it got a little easier, but it was still far more difficult than other suits we’ve owned. It’s kind of a double-edged sword because we know the challenge of putting it on is also what allows it to have a tighter seal and therefore be warmer.
Our tester is a curvier gal, and getting her head down to her hips through the small neck entry felt pretty constrictive and was a bit of a workout to get it on (See: Ace Ventura). Once it’s on, it fits (“like a glove!”) to anyone’s curves, very snug.
If the hassle of a zip-free wetsuit isn’t worth it to you, the O’Neill Hyperfreak suit sports a traditional, zippered chest zip and is much easier to get on and off. The Hyperfreak lacks the flash lining, and you experience some flushing around the neck when duck diving, so it’s not quite as warm as the HeatSeeker, but it is a bit more mobile, resulting in better performance.
The fleece lining makes the suit feel a little heavier when paddling out and around the lineup, but taking off on waves and quickly maneuvering your board make it great for those who want to stay out in the water longer and remain nice and toasty.
Aside from the challenge of getting the suit on, we loved everything about it. As we mentioned, the updated E7 Flash-Lining is incredible and provides the perfect blend of warmth, stretch, and comfort. The suit also features “Flex Energy,” which is a lining on the back and shoulders that generates heat as you move through the water. Although we couldn’t pinpoint the activation during our session, we can vouch for the incredible warmth of the suit.
The quality of the suit is exceptional, and based on past suits we’ve owned from Rip Curl, we have no doubt it will withstand the test of time.
Most Stylish Wetsuit
Available In: 3/2mm
Materials: Limestone neoprene made with recycled tires
Features: Free-floating chest-zip, printed exterior, key loop
Pros: Lightweight, colorful designs
Cons: Not the warmest option for borderline conditions, runs small in the shoulders
A little personal flair in a world of black neoprene can go a long way, especially at crowded breaks. The Roxy Elite is a great choice for surfers seeking a decent balance of performance, warmth, and style – this suit is a Jane of all trades in that it has a little bit of everything, but its color choice separates it from the rest.
Designed with StretchFlight Eco neoprene, it provides a decent level of flexibility when paddling and surfing. This suit also saw chillier and more crowded conditions at Trestles and provided the tester with a decent, albeit not exceptional, amount of warmth in 58-degree water, and was lightweight and stretchy enough so paddling and catching waves were easier than wearing a wetsuit focused more on warmth, such as Patagonia’s R2. Ever bring a photographer friend to the beach for a school project, and they can’t pick you out in a crowd? This suit solves that problem.
The chest zip entry minimizes water flushing, keeping surfers warmer during early morning or windy sessions. Beyond its performance, the Elite is arguably one of the most stylish wetsuits on the market. With sleek paneling, flattering contours, and a range of modern color options, it offers a polished, feminine aesthetic that stands out in the lineup. Whether in classic black or one of Roxy’s signature designs, this wetsuit blends function with fashion effortlessly.
When compared to other chest zips, such as the Billabong Furnace or O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire, surfers don’t have to struggle to lock in the zipper because it’s already locked, making it very convenient when in a rush to catch waves.
However, the wetsuit tends to run small, particularly on the shoulders, which may be a concern for those with a more athletic build. While the thermal lining provides decent warmth, it may not be sufficient for colder conditions, making it more suitable for Southern California’s early summer or late fall water temperatures rather than colder waters.
Most Convenient Wetsuit
Available In: 3/2mm, 4/3mm
Materials: Limestone-based neoprene
Features: GBS seams, full seam taping, key loop in chest zip
Pros: Fast delivery and decent quality for the price
Cons: Very basic, arms are shorter than usual
Surfers with Amazon Prime will be stoked if they are in a pinch and need a decent wetsuit fast. If you order and have Prime, expect the Ho Stevie! Women’s Wetsuit to be at your doorstep the next day– a fantastic factor if you need a wetsuit fast and don’t want to spend a ton of money. Though we were a little skeptical at first, Ho Stevie! offers a decent limestone neoprene wetsuit that is glued and blind stitched, but has minimal lining, which decreases the warmth factor.
The stretch factor is where this suit shines – soft and flexible, the suit worked well in waves that require more paddling, and quickly putting on and taking off the suit. The neck area and chest zip didn’t have many leaks during duck diving due to the added cinch strap, making the chest adjustable. Another small but mighty benefit to this suit: the zipper starts from within the chest zip, meaning you don’t have to fight two sides of the chest zip together to close it. When comparing it to the Roxy Elite suit, the zippers are a great bonus, but the Roxy Elite is a little warmer due to the heftier lining.
The key loop is conveniently located inside the chest zip, so it’s easy to unlock your car without removing the wetsuit entirely.
Although Ho Stevie! is updating their wetsuit designs, both of our testers who tried this suit found the sizing to be off. For one of our testers, the arms on this model were a little too short in length. She is normally a size 8, but needed a size 10 so the arm length would have the right coverage. Our other tester is normally a size 6, but found the size 10 to provide her with the best fit – we strongly recommend sizing up when purchasing this suit.
How We Tested The Best Women’s Wetsuits
The Testers
Our lead testers for this review are Rebecca Parsons and Jackie Connor.
Jackie has been surfing SoCal’s coast for over 20 years despite originating from the South. She loves a good log day at San Onofre, but can’t get past shortboarding all over O.C., with Trestles being her main spot. Jackie is 5’3”, weighs about 128-130 pounds, and typically wears a size 8. Her design tastes are simple and minimalistic, but she enjoys a good splash of color every once in a while to stand out among a sea of all black.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, with a short stint in Santa Cruz for college, Rebecca Parsons has worn her fair share of wetsuits over the years. And one thing she’s learned through her experience is that not all wetsuits are created equally. Some are ultra-warm. Some are comfortable. Others are not. Some withstand the test of time. Some are stylish. You get the picture. She’s 5’7”, 125 lbs. with an athletic build. Her legs are a little on the long side, but in general, she’s proportional, and size 6 tends to get the job done.
The Process
Obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and the perfect wetsuit is going to vary from person to person. We tried to consider factors that most people are looking for in a wetsuit. Warmth. Stretch/comfort. Durability. Style. Materials. Special features. Anything that may contribute to the suit raises the bar for wetsuits.
We reached out to the top wetsuit manufacturers in the business and asked them to send us their best wetsuits. If you’re wondering if this is a pay-to-play type of guide, it’s not. No company paid to be included in this guide, and each review is simply based on our experiences with the suit.
In order to test each suit, you guessed it, we surfed. Not only did we surf, but we jumped in unheated pools, wore them scuba diving, and shoved ourselves in and out of them multiple times (because a huge factor of a good suit is how easy it is to take on/off).
Testing Conditions
We mainly tested these wetsuits in the beach breaks of Newport and Huntington Beach, and the rock reefs at Trestles and San Onofre. We surfed on sunny, overcast, and windy days with water temps ranging from 56 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit for at least an hour and a half, and up to three hours per session if the waves were really firing. The late 2024 to early 2025 season has seen temperatures dipping a little below normal thanks to upwelling and strong Santa Ana offshore winds, so each of what would be considered a 3/2 or 3/2+ wetsuit’s standard warmth limit was challenged.
Recent Updates
We first published this review in December 2021. In June of 2023, we did some housekeeping and dropped some of the suits that we didn’t love or were no longer available. Over the summer, we had the opportunity to try out the newly launched Patagonia R2 Regulator, which we added to the review. We updated this review in November of 2024, adding more comparison info to help you decide between all these great options.
Our most recent update, in the spring of 2025 after a winter of putting some of our favorite wetsuits to the test in colder-than-usual conditions, takes input from a new tester, Jackie Connor, and merges her findings with those of our original tester, Rebecca Parsons, to give multiple opinions on our top-pick wetsuits. This gives us a more diverse set of information from women with different surfing styles and body shapes, so we can provide you with the most complete picture of the best wetsuits as possible.
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