Find your summer fit: how to choose a summer wetsuit
The British summer is a brilliant time to be in the water — but "summer" covers a lot of ground when you're surfing in the UK. From a crisp 12°C May morning at Sennen to a balmy August session at Fistral, the conditions can be wildly different, and so is the wetsuit you'll want to be wearing.
This guide covers everything you need to know about summer wetsuits — from featherlight 1.5mm shorties to versatile 3mm fullsuits — so you can make the right call before you hit the water.
First, know your water temperature
Here's a rough guide to what you're working with across the season:
Month |
Typical sea temp (SW England) |
What you'll likely need |
April–May |
10–13°C |
3mm fullsuit |
June |
13–16°C |
2mm fullsuit or 3mm |
July–August |
16–19°C |
2mm shorty or fullsuit |
September |
15–17°C |
2mm fullsuit or 3mm |
October |
13–15°C |
3mm fullsuit |
Water temperature is only part of the picture. Wind chill, how long you're in the water, and how hard you're working all affect how warm you feel. A shortboarder charging overhead surf burns more energy than someone sitting on a SUP waiting for sets — and stays warmer for it.
Shorty vs fullsuit: what's the difference?
A shorty (or short arm/short leg suit) covers your core and upper thighs, leaving your arms and lower legs exposed. A fullsuit covers everything from ankles to wrists.
Shorties are cooler and more flexible — great when the water is genuinely warm and you want maximum freedom of movement. Fullsuits keep you in the water longer when temperatures drop, and they're better for activities where you're less active (paddleboarding, kayaking, bodyboarding prone).
Most regular UK surfers own both and choose based on conditions.
The suits: 1.5mm to 3mm explained
The thickness of your yoga mat affects both comfort and stability. A standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch thick, providing a good balance between cushioning and solidity. Thicker mats (1/4 inch) offer more cushioning for joints but can reduce stability for balance poses. Thinner mats (1/16 inch) are great for travel due to their light weight.
1.5mm shorty — for the warmest days
Best for: 18°C and above
Season: Peak summer (July–August, south coast)
A 1.5mm shorty offers just enough protection against board rash and UV without any real thermal benefit. Arms and legs are fully exposed, which means excellent movement but limited warmth.
If you're a warm-blooded surfer who runs hot, you'll love a 1.5mm on a flat, sunny August day. If you're in for more than an hour or the wind picks up, you may start to feel it.
Best suited to: experienced surfers who know their body, instructors in the water all day, triathletes, swimmers.
Not ideal if: you run cold, you're spending long sessions waiting for waves, or conditions are anything other than genuinely warm.
3mm fullsuit — one suit, all summer
Best for: 10–15°C
Season: April - October
A 3mm fullsuit is the bridge between summer and winter rubber. It handles the cooler end of the summer season confidently — those brisk May dawns and September evenings when a 2mm just doesn't quite cut it.
If you're serious about surfing year-round, or you're buying your first ever wetsuit and want one suit that earns its keep across spring, summer and autumn, this is worth the investment. It's not as bulky as a winter 4/3mm, but it gives you enough warmth to surf comfortably in water below 14°C.
Best suited to: committed surfers who want to extend their season, people buying their first wetsuit, cold-blooded surfers, wild swimmers.
Cornish note: sea temps in May off exposed breaks like Gwithian or Sennen regularly sit at 12–13°C, sometimes lower after a big northerly swell brings colder water in. A 3mm is the right call — not optional comfort.
Shop 3mm wetsuits → (link: 3mm fullsuit collection)
Getting the fit right
A wetsuit only works if it fits properly. Too big, and cold water flushes through every time you duck dive or fall off. Too small, and you'll restrict your movement and be uncomfortable within minutes. Here's what to look for:
Snug, not painful. The suit should feel tight all over — but not so tight that breathing is uncomfortable or it pinches across the shoulders.
The paddle test. Raise both arms as if paddling. You shouldn't feel the suit pulling across your back or neck. If it does, the shoulders are too tight or the torso is too short.
Check the cuffs. Ankle and wrist seals should sit flush against your skin with no gaps. This is where most heat is lost in an ill-fitting suit.
The pinch test. If you can pinch the neoprene away from your skin (on your body, not just the suit), it's too big.
Between sizes? Go smaller rather than larger. Neoprene softens with use, and a suit that feels firm on day one will ease off after a few sessions in the water.
Caring for your summer suit
Summer wetsuits are thinner and can be less robust than winter rubber, so a bit of care goes a long way.
- Rinse in fresh water after every session — salt and sand degrade neoprene over time
- Don't leave it in a hot car or folded in direct sunlight; heat breaks down the rubber
- Hang it inside out on a wide hanger — not a hook through the collar, which stretches the neck
- If it's got a zip, rinse and dry the zip with a little WD-40 or a purpose-made wax to keep it running smoothly
Still not sure?
If you're unsure what thickness is right for you, the best thing you can do is talk to someone who surfs here regularly. Our team at Ann's Cottage are in the water most weeks — we're happy to help you get it right.
