Heater Tops

Picking the right heater top

A heater top is a wetsuit jacket — a top-half-only neoprene layer that takes the chill off cold-water sessions without the weight of a full wetsuit. Worn on its own in mild conditions, or layered under a buoyancy suit and over neoprene shorts for colder days. The standard pick for slalom skiers, wakeboarders, wake surfers and jet ski riders who want some warmth without giving up shoulder mobility for the rope. Thickness. Most heater tops here run 1mm to 2mm neoprene — light enough for a full range of motion through tricks and turns, warm enough for the first and last sessions of the season. Thicker tops (2mm+) suit jet ski riders who’d otherwise be cold sitting between runs. Thinner 1mm tops favour active riders who’d overheat in anything heavier. Sleeve length. Long sleeve is the most common — full arm coverage from wrist to shoulder, good for early-morning starts and water temperatures in the mid-teens. Short sleeve trims the forearm and is more flexible for handle pass and trick work; pairs well with arm sleeves if you need the option to layer. The shorter the sleeve, the less restriction through the shoulders. Style. Pullover tops slip over the head — fewer seams, slightly tighter cut, and no zip to leak. Zip-through tops have a front or chest zip for easier entry — better for jet ski riders who put the top on and off through the day, harder to get water-tight than a pullover but more convenient. Both styles are common; pick on what matters more — water-tight fit or quick entry. Fit. Heater tops fit snug when dry, the same rule as wetsuits and buoyancy suits. Loose neoprene fills with water and stops doing its job. A correctly fitted top sits flat against the chest and back, with no bunching at the waist or shoulders. Brands. Rip Curl runs multiple wetsuit-jacket ranges — surf-influenced cuts that work just as well behind a boat. Jetpilot covers jet ski and tow sports with longer-body cuts. Follow is the towed watersports specialist. Wing makes Australian-cut tops suited to local conditions. O’Neill and HO round out the range across mens, womens and kids sizing.