Wetsuits & Surf Equipment - Endless Summer Surf & Skate - Mission Beach

Wetsuit Guide
Endless Summer's Wetsuit guide provides everything from basic info about different types of suits to information on the latest wetsuit technology.  There are many different styles or cuts of wetsuits to choose from when looking to purchase a suit.  Most  wetsuits are made out of neoprene rubber, however the quality of rubber and the seams depends on the type of wetsuit you buy.  There are different  thicknesses & lengths of wetsuits to consider depending on the water temperature of where you are surfing. This guide will step you through  different Styles, Brands, Thicknesses, Materials, & the latest wetsuit features to consider when buying a new suit.

CHECK OUT OUR SURF SHOP FOR A
WIDE SELECTION OF WETSUITS FOR SALE

Styles:

Spring Suit These suits usually cover the body down to the elbows and the knees. This is probably the most sold type of wetsuit considering it is easy to put on and less restrictive than a full suit. However, a spring suit is only good in water temperatures above the low 60's F.  It's the  most common suit you will see around CA in the summer, or FL year round. It also comes in a long sleeve version that covers the body to the wrists and down to the knees. Most Spring Suits are 1.5 to 2mm thick.

Full Suit These suits cover the body down to the wrists and to the ankles. If you plan on surfing year round and you live in the US, then you probably want to buy a full suit for the winter.  These days wetsuit materials are so stretchy and flexible that a good full suit should not feel too restrictive.  They also come in different thicknesses depending on where you surf.  The most common thickness for Southern California is a 3/2mm suit, good in water temps ranging from the upper 50's to the lower 60's. The most common suit in Northern California is a 4/3mm wetsuit good in water temperatures from the lower 50's to upper 50's.  There are also short sleeve full suits that are popular for spring and summer surfing in Southern CA.  In places like Oregon, Alaska, Canada, & the East Coast, a suit with a hood is pretty mandatory.  The thickness of theses suits range from 5/4mm to 6/5mm and will keep you pretty warm, despite arctic temperatures.

Jacket I don't know if this really qualifies as a wetsuit, but the jacket is my favorite option when the water is nice and warm, but just a tad too cold to surf in just your trunks.  They are long sleeve &  usually have a small zipper in the back. Most jackets are either 2mm or 1mm and are great in water temps 65-70 degrees.  You still get to surf in your shorts, but throwing on the jacket is hassle free & it will keep you warm. Great for surfing in San Diego or the East Coast during the summer months. Also good for winter surfing in Florida or Hawaii.

Neoprene & Wetsuit Materials:

UltraSpan or SuperStretch Most top of the line wetsuits are made out of a really high quality neoprene rubber often called "Super Stretch" or UltraSpan. Some wetsuits are 100% UltraSpan or some are 50% UltraSpan, depending on what wetsuit you choose to buy.  This is by far the most flexible material on the market and we highly recommend purchasing a suit made of at least 50% Super Stretch material.  When buying a wetsuit you will see many different names for the same material so don't be confused because every wetsuit company has their own variation of the material.

Smoothie Usually the outer chest & back panels of most wetsuits are made from smoothie neoprene. This is a heavier or  tougher type of material that is very good at repelling wind & water. It is also used to protect areas of the wetsuit that are exposed to wear & tear from usage. When looking at the spring & full suits pictured to the left, the shiny chest panel is made from smoothie.

Polypropylene The inside of a good wetsuit should be lined with a layer of polypropylene to help keep the body warm and dry.  The polypro is also good at repelling water and working as insulation to trap the bodies heat.  In most top of the line wetsuits, the polypro is on the inner chest panel, but recently some companies have been lining the whole inside of the suit in polypropylene. Once again, don't be confused by every company creating there own fancy name for this feature....It's all basically polypro.

Seams:

Flat Lock Stitching When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.

Glued & Blind Stitched One step up from the flat lock technology, Glued & Blind Stitched wetsuits are truly worth the extra cash.  The strength of the seams are reinforced by an industrial waterproof glue that also acts as a sealant, creating a water & air tight wetsuit. This is the way to go as far as warmth and strength, but it will cost you a few bucks more than the flat lock model wetsuits.

Taped Seams Any top of the line wetsuit these days has Liquid or Fluid taped seams. This wetsuit technology combines a liquid neoprene or fluid tape with a glued &  blind stitched seam to produce an indestructible seam for ultimate performance.  The taping reinforces the strength of the seams, helping prevent any tears or leaks in your wetsuit. You can't go wrong with a suit that uses this technology and like anything else don't be confused by wetsuit companies using special names for their taped seams......it's all basically the same liquid tape.

Entry Systems:

Full Back Zip When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.

3/4 Back Zip When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.

Chest or Front Entry When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.

BACK