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Which Wetsuit Thickness is Best for Australia?


So you're about to purchase a wetsuit and you're not sure which thickness is right for Australian water temperatures. The right thickness depends on where in Australia you're surfing and what time of year.

If you're surfing up in QLD during summer then you won't need anything more than a thin 1.5mm wetsuit top. However, down in Tasmania in the winter months the water temperature can drop as low as 11°C (54°F), in which case you'll need a thick 5mm steamer plus booties.

What do the numbers mean in a wetsuit thickness (e.g. 3:2)?

The 1st number is the thickness of the neoprene around your chest and torso.

The 2nd number is the thickness of the neoprene around your arms and legs.

Example: 3:2 is 3mm around the chest and 2mm around the arms & legs.

 

Which Wetsuit Thickness is Best for Australia?

 

Sydney, NSW:

 

Summer (Dec-Feb):

Water Temperature: 23°C (74°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

Autumn (Mar-May):

Water Temperature: 22°C (72°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm or 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top or Springsuit

 

Winter (Jun-Aug):

Water Temperature:  19°C (67°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Spring (Sep-Nov):

Water Temperature: 19°C (67°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm or 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top or Springsuit

 

 

 

Gold Coast, QLD:

 

Summer (Dec-Feb):

Water Temperature: 26°C (79°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

Autumn (Mar-May):

Water Temperature: 25°C (78°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

Winter (Jun-Aug):

Water Temperature:  22°C (72°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Springsuit

 

Spring (Sep-Nov):

Water Temperature: 23°C (74°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

 

 

Bells Beach, VIC:

 

Summer (Dec-Feb):

Water Temperature: 18°C (64°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit) or Springsuit

 

Autumn (Mar-May):

Water Temperature: 17°C (63°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm or 5:3mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Winter (Jun-Aug):

Water Temperature: 14°C (57°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 5:3mm or 5:4mm PLUS booties

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Spring (Sep-Nov):

Water Temperature: 14°C (57°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 5:3mm or 5:4mm PLUS booties

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

 

 

Hobart, TAS:

 

Summer (Dec-Feb):

Water Temperature: 16°C (61°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm or 5:3mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Autumn (Mar-May):

Water Temperature: 15°C (60°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 5:3mm or 5:4mm PLUS booties

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Winter (Jun-Aug):

Water Temperature:  13°C (56°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 5:3mm or 5:4mm PLUS booties

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

Spring (Sep-Nov):

Water Temperature:  13°C (56°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 5:3mm or 5:4mm PLUS booties

Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)

 

 

 

Perth, WA:

 

Summer (Dec-Feb):

Water Temperature: 22°C (71°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

Autumn (Mar-May):

Water Temperature: 23°C (73°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top

 

Winter (Jun-Aug):

Water Temperature:  20°C (68°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Springsuit

 

Spring (Sep-Nov):

Water Temperature: 19°C (67°F)

Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3:2mm

Best Wetsuit Type: Springsuit