Stay Warm in the Waves: The Best Winter Wetsuits for UK Surfers
Surfing through a British winter? We explain what wetsuit thickness you need and pick winter suits and boots from independent surf shop Yakwax.
Xcel Men's 5/4mm Comp+ Chest Zip
Xcel is a favourite with cold-water surfers, and the Comp+ shows why.
- Heat-reflecting lining for extra warmth
- Stretchy, lightweight neoprene
- Sealed seams and a watertight chest zip
Vissla Men's 7 Seas 5/4mm Chest Zip
Vissla is a Californian surf brand known for well-made suits with a clean, simple style.
- Winter-weight 5/4mm thickness with a warm lining
- Chest zip entry, which lets in less water than a back zip
- Hard-wearing knee pads and sealed cuffs
Alder 5mm Edge Wetsuit Boots
Your feet lose heat fast in cold water, and numb toes make it hard to stand up on your board.
- Warm, double-lined 5mm neoprene
- Grippy textured sole with reinforced heel and toe
- Easy to get on, with good ankle support
Here's something every British surfer knows: winter often brings some of the best waves of the year. Fewer crowds, bigger swells and empty beaches. The catch? The sea gets properly cold. The right wetsuit is the difference between a brilliant two-hour session and shivering back to the car after twenty minutes.
Yakwax is an independent surf shop in Guernsey that knows cold water well. We've picked two winter suits and a pair of boots that will keep you in the water for longer.
Ways to save at Yakwax
- Free UK delivery on orders over £95, so a suit and boots together qualifies
- Next-day UK delivery when you order Monday to Thursday
- See today's offers at Yakwax
First, what thickness do you need?
Wetsuits are described with two numbers, like "5/4". The first is the thickness of the body panels in millimetres, the second is the arms and legs. Thicker means warmer, but a little less stretchy.
- 3/2mm: summer and early autumn
- 4/3mm: spring and autumn, or milder winters in the far south-west
- 5/4mm: the usual choice for a UK winter, worn with boots, gloves and often a hood
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Our picks side by side
| Xcel 5/4mm Comp+ | Vissla 7 Seas 5/4mm | Alder 5mm Edge Boots | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Winter wetsuit | Winter wetsuit | Wetsuit boots |
| Best for | Staying warm for longest | Durability and extra protection | Warm, protected feet |
| Price | £359.90 | £359.90 | £30 |
| Entry | Chest zip | Chest zip | Slip on |
| Lining | Heat-reflecting Thermo Dry Infrared | Fever fibre lining | Double-lined neoprene |
| Shop | See the deal | See the deal | See the deal |
Surfing with kids?
Yakwax also sells children's winter suits, such as the Alder Kids 4/3mm Stealth (£99.90) and the Xcel Kids 4/3mm Axis Backzip (£189.90). See kids' wetsuits
Not quite right? Yakwax has lots more wetsuits for men, women and kids. See all wetsuits at Yakwax
What to look for in a winter wetsuit
A good winter wetsuit keeps you warm without stopping you from paddling freely. Here's what to check.
- Thickness. For a UK winter, 5/4mm is the usual choice. Thicker means warmer, but a little less stretchy.
- Seams. Glued, blindstitched and taped seams let in much less cold water than simple stitched seams.
- Entry. Chest zip suits let in less water than back zip suits, so they're usually warmer.
- Lining. Warm linings, like fleece-style or heat-reflecting linings, help hold in body heat.
- Fit. A wetsuit should feel snug, with no baggy areas where water can collect. Every brand fits differently, so check the size chart carefully.
- Boots, gloves and a hood. In the coldest months, these make a big difference. Your hands and feet lose heat fast.
What do customers say about Yakwax?
Yakwax shows a 5.0 out of 5 rating from over 2,100 customer reviews on its own website. Reviews for the individual products in this guide are few or none so far, so the shop's reputation is the best guide we have.
Tips for surfing in a UK winter
- Add gloves and a hood when the water gets really cold, usually from around December to March.
- Get changed fast. A changing robe and a flask of something hot make a big difference.
- Don't surf alone in winter. Conditions can change quickly, and lifeguard cover is limited out of season.
- Look after your suit. Rinse it in fresh water and dry it inside out, away from direct heat.
Common questions
What thickness wetsuit do I need for the UK in winter?
Most surfers wear a 5/4mm suit in winter, with boots, gloves and often a hood. In the far south-west, some people manage with a 4/3mm in milder spells.
How should a wetsuit fit?
Snug but not painful. You should be able to move your arms freely, with no loose folds at the back, arms or legs.
How do I look after my wetsuit?
Rinse it in fresh water after every surf, dry it inside out in the shade, and hang it over a thick hanger. Keep it away from direct heat.
Do I need wetsuit boots?
In winter, yes. Boots keep your feet warm and protect them from rocks and cold sand.
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- We researched popular options sold by major UK retailers.
- We compared features, specifications and verified buyer reviews.
- We checked prices across several stores so you can see where it is cheapest.
Xcel Men's 5/4mm Comp+ Chest Zip
Xcel is a favourite with cold-water surfers, and the Comp+ shows why. Inside, it has a heat-reflecting lining (Thermo Dry Infrared) designed to hold your body heat in. Outside, it uses a light, stretchy limestone neoprene, so you can still paddle freely.
The seams are glued, stitched and taped to stop cold water sneaking in, and the chest zip is watertight. A smooth collar helps prevent rubbing on your neck during long sessions.
✓What We Like
- Heat-reflecting lining for extra warmth
- Stretchy, lightweight neoprene
- Sealed seams and a watertight chest zip
- Lots of sizes, including short and tall fits
✕What to Keep in Mind
- It was on sale earlier this month, but it's back to full price now. Keep an eye out for offers.
- Stock is limited in some sizes, so don't wait too long.
- Rinse it in fresh water after every surf to help it last.
Vissla Men's 7 Seas 5/4mm Chest Zip
Vissla is a Californian surf brand known for well-made suits with a clean, simple style. The 7 Seas 5/4 is built for cold water, with blindstitched, triple-glued and taped seams, a warm fleece-style "Fever" lining, and limestone-based neoprene.
Thoughtful extras include tough knee pads, sealed cuffs and a smooth neck seal. It costs the same as the Xcel, so the choice comes down to what matters most to you: the Xcel's heat-reflecting lining for warmth, or the Vissla's knee pads and cuffs for a suit that takes a beating.
✓What We Like
- Winter-weight 5/4mm thickness with a warm lining
- Chest zip entry, which lets in less water than a back zip
- Hard-wearing knee pads and sealed cuffs
- Tall sizes available (MT and LT)
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Every brand fits differently. Check Vissla's size chart before ordering, and choose the brand that fits you best.
Alder 5mm Edge Wetsuit Boots
Your feet lose heat fast in cold water, and numb toes make it hard to stand up on your board. A pair of 5mm boots keeps your feet warm and protects them from rocks and cold sand on the walk down to the beach. At £30, they're one of the cheapest ways to add an hour to your session.
✓What We Like
- Warm, double-lined 5mm neoprene
- Grippy textured sole with reinforced heel and toe
- Easy to get on, with good ankle support
- Great value at £30
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Stock is very low. At the time of writing, only UK size 9 was left, so check your size before you plan around them.
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