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Six minutes on wetsuits with Reuben. Everything below follows the video.
There are a lot of wetsuits on the wall and they are not interchangeable. A suit built to keep a diver warm is the wrong suit for someone throwing a wakeboard around, and the difference is not just thickness — it is where the neoprene is, how the suit seals, and how much of you it covers.
Start with how a wetsuit actually works, because every other decision follows from it.
How a wetsuit works
A wetsuit does not keep water out. It traps a small layer of water between you and the neoprene, and then your body does the rest — you heat that thin layer up and it keeps you warm.
Which is why fit is not a comfort question, it is the whole mechanism. A wetsuit has to be tight, because a loose suit lets cold water flush in from outside and disrupt the warm layer you have just made. A big expensive suit that fits badly will be colder than a cheap one that fits properly.
Three things to weigh up before you buy
- How cold the water is.
- Personal preference. Some people simply feel the cold more than others.
- How much unrestricted movement you need. How hard are you going on the wakeboard or the ski, and how flexible do you need to be?
That last one is the trade-off that runs through the whole category: warmth versus flexibility. More neoprene is warmer and less free. Everything below is a different answer to that question.
The three styles
In water skiing and wakeboarding, three styles cover almost everyone.
Wetsuit tops (heater tops)
Also called a neo top or a heater top. These are for warmer water, and for the transitional seasons — spring and autumn.
They do two jobs. They give you insulation against cooler conditions, and they shield you from the wind and the sun while you are up on top of the water, which is the part people forget until they have done a long session in a breeze.
- Very easy to put on, and some come in a front zip option that makes it easier again.
- Your core stays warm and your legs are completely free.
- Being thinner than a full suit, they also give good flexibility across the shoulders and arms.
Browse wetsuit tops or the dedicated heater tops.
Springsuits
Our most popular option for water skiers and wakeboarders.
The design idea is specific: a springsuit finishes above the knee. That gives you real flexibility and movement in your legs while keeping your core and upper body warm. It comes in two variants:
- Short arm — a little more flexibility through the arms.
- Long arm — that bit of extra warmth and insulation.
They suit both cooler and warmer temperatures, which is why they get used all year round. If you are not sure where to start, start here. Browse the springsuits.
Steamers (full suits)
Long arm, long leg, your whole body in neoprene. It is the best way to keep you warm, and the answer if you feel the cold really badly, or you are skiing in cooler parts of the country such as southern Australia.
What to look for in a steamer if you actually ride hard. Not all full suits are built for towed sports. Look for one that is thinner through the shoulders and knees, with flex pads on the knees. That is what gives you back the range of motion a full suit otherwise costs you.
We also stock Johns — sleeveless suits, which the video does not cover. If you want warmth through the legs and completely free arms, that is the shape to look at.
How the suit seals
The seal is the second half of the warmth equation, and there are three options in the range.
Back zip
The most common. A long leash, a zip that runs straight down the back, and a velcro flap that covers the back of the neck. The basic, easy way to get in and out of a wetsuit.
Chest zip
A zip that goes across the chest. You pull the suit apart, jump in, pull it back over your head and zip up. More steps than a back zip, and a warmer suit for it.
Zip free
Done much the same way — pull it open and jump in — with no long zip at all.
Chest zip and zip free are the warmest and the best seals. The reason is physical, not marketing: there are extra layers of neoprene wrapping around the opening to stop cold water getting in.
Neoprene types and seams
This is the part that separates two suits that look identical on the rack, and it is worth knowing before you compare prices.
Some brands offer different types of neoprene across their range:
- High-stretch neoprene — more give, more range of motion.
- Quick-dry neoprene liners — the suit does not stay soaked between sets.
The other half is the seams. Higher-end suits use glued or taped seams that add extra sealing, so water is not seeping in through the stitching.
Put together, that is the shopping rule: if you are looking for something higher end, look for a chest zip or zip free, in either a high-stretch or a quick-dry liner.
Thickness
Seals and neoprene quality make a big difference, but thickness is still the blunt instrument for warmth. The direction is simple:
- Thicker — for colder water, when you do not need as much flexibility.
- Thinner — when you are going hard on the wakeboard or the ski and you want the most range of motion you can get.
Where you land depends on how you ride and where you ride, and there is no single number that covers everyone. If you tell us the water you ski on and how hard you go, we can put you on the right thickness rather than guessing.
Fit
Back to where we started: the suit only works if it fits. Two numbers to hold in your head.
It should feel like a second skin when you try it on. And it will stretch by about 10% in the water — so a suit that feels merely comfortable in the shop will be loose and cold once you are wet.
What to check on the way in.
No gaps at the wrists, the neck or the legs. Every gap is a place cold water flushes through and cancels out the warm layer.
No bunching at the elbows, the knees, the legs or under the arms. Bunched neoprene is not just untidy — it is what causes chafing, and you will find out about it two hours into the day.
Common questions
How does a wetsuit actually keep you warm?
It traps a small layer of water between your body and the neoprene, and your body heat warms that layer. That is why the suit has to be tight — a loose suit lets cold water flush in and disrupt the warm layer, so a poorly fitting expensive suit will be colder than a well-fitting cheap one.
Springsuit or steamer for waterskiing?
A springsuit is the most popular option for skiers and wakeboarders. It finishes above the knee, so your legs stay free while your core stays warm, and it works across cooler and warmer temperatures year round. Go to a steamer if you feel the cold badly or you are skiing somewhere genuinely cold, like southern Australia.
Are full wetsuits too restrictive for wakeboarding?
They can be, which is why the build matters. Look for a steamer that is thinner through the shoulders and knees and has flex pads on the knees. That is what gives you back the range of motion a full suit would otherwise cost you.
What is a heater top for?
Warmer water and the transitional seasons — spring and autumn. A heater top gives you insulation plus shielding from the wind and sun while you are up on the water, keeps your core warm with your legs completely free, and is thin enough to stay flexible through the shoulders and arms.
Back zip, chest zip or zip free — which is warmest?
Chest zip and zip free are the warmest and the best seals, because there are extra layers of neoprene wrapping around the opening to stop cold water getting in. A back zip is the basic option and by far the easiest to get in and out of on your own.
What makes an expensive wetsuit expensive?
Mostly the seal and the neoprene. Higher-end suits use a chest zip or zip-free entry, high-stretch or quick-dry neoprene, and glued or taped seams that add extra sealing so water is not seeping through the stitching.
What thickness wetsuit do I need?
Thicker for colder water when you do not need as much flexibility; thinner when you are riding hard and want maximum range of motion. It depends on where you ride and how you ride, so it is worth a quick conversation rather than a guess.
How tight should a wetsuit be?
Like a second skin. Wetsuits stretch about 10% in the water, so if it feels merely comfortable when dry it will be loose and cold when wet. Check for no gaps at the wrists, neck or legs, and no bunching at the elbows, knees, legs or under the arms — bunching is what causes chafing.
The rest of the layer
A wetsuit is one part of staying comfortable. On hot days a rashy covers the sun-protection half of the job without the warmth. Everyone still needs a properly fitted life jacket over the top — requirements are set state by state, so check the state-by-state guide, and there is more detail in the life vest breakdown.
Kids grow out of suits faster than they wear them out — kids wetsuits are here.
The best way to size a wetsuit is still to put one on. See the full wetsuit range, or come into the shop at Moorooka, Brisbane and we will get you into the right suit for the sport you are actually doing.
Presented by Reuben at Waterskiers World, Moorooka, Brisbane. If a suit does not feel right, give us a call before you write it off — it is usually a size or a style question, not a bad suit.