What Wetsuit To Buy: The Ultimate Guide

Australian regions and their corresponding wetsuits for each season

Regardless of which category you fall into, a you're in luck – below you'll find all the major surf regions in Australia and what type of rubber you're going to need to hit that temperature sweet spot... no matter what time of year you're surfing.

The Northern Bits

If you live much farther north of the Sunshine Coast, chances are you’re not going to need much rubber –even in winter! We recommend trying out some of our UV rash tees or our UV surf suits.

From Yamba to Noosa and everywhere in between, the water temperature is relatively warm in the summer, meaning you’ll only need a rash vest or UV surf suit.

In the shoulder seasons, you’d do well to have a 1mm or 2mm spring suit and a 1mm or 1.5mm vest. In the winter, however, you’ll need a 3/2 steamer if you feel the cold.

In the mid-coast NSW and Sydney regions, the water in summer is definitely 1mm vest temperature –or if you’re a bit farther south, pop on a 2mm spring suit for the days when those cold water currents come through.

In the winter, however, you’ll need a 3/2 steamer to stay out for any length of time –especially down towards Sydney and the NSW South Coast.

As you move down towards the southern end of our country, things get chilly. And by chilly, we mean cold. During summer in the warmer parts of these states, you’ll get away with a spring suit, and maybe even just a 1mm vest if it’s nice and sunny. But apart from those select areas and months, you’ll be wearing a steamer.

On the shoulder seasons you can get away with a 3/2, but in the dead of winter you’ll be chasing a 4/3, booties and a hood. If you're sensitive to the cold, we highly recommend our warmest Flashbomb yet, the Flashbomb Heat Seeker featuring innovative Flex Energy that actually heats while you move. *Note: If you’re heading down to the southern tip of Tasmania, you might consider a 5/3, booties and a hood –depending on how much you feel the cold.

As Western Australia offers up such a large coastline, the water temperatures vary hugely. If you’re in the southern half of WA, you’ll be opting for a 3/2 steamer in winter and a spring suit on the shoulder seasons.

However, if you’re up north, you’re not going to be needing much more than a vest –or a UV surf suit / tee, depending on how far up the coastline you’ve gone.

The North Island

The North Island is very similar to the Tasmanian and Victorian regions. You’ll need a 4/3 in the winter, a 3/2 for the shoulder seasons and a spring suit in the warmer months.

The South Island

If you’re headed to the South Island, you might need to think about a 5/3. If you stay warm easily, you can get away with a 4/3, booties and hood. You’d probably appreciate having gloves in the winter as well.