long john short john surf wetsuits

Best Long John / Short John Wetsuit

Long John, also known as the farmer john wetsuits are preferred due to their awesome mixture of warming and cool-down capabilities alike. Generally ranging from 3/2-2mm in thickness, there’s quite a variety to choose from from the most known surf wetsuit brands.

  • Long John Wetsuit = Sleeveless long-leg surf springsuit for men

Short John wetsuits are ideal for summer and warm-water use. They protect the core of your body while providing warmth to an essential degree.

  • Short John Wetsuit – Sleeveless short-leg surf springsuit for men

surfer in a short john wetsuit


 

Surfing / Diving / Snorkeling / Paddleboarding / Jet-skiing

 


Best Shorty Wetsuit Brands

The best surf wetsuit brands are known to be: Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver, O’Neill, Patagonia, Xcel, Vissla, Hurley and so on.

surf wetsuit brands
Read more – 19 Best Surf Wetsuit Brands

 

How to Choose?

  1. Size – Choose by the weight first, then the height. The wetsuit has to fit snug, not too tight.
  2. Type – Short john / long john
  3. Model – Brand / model

Check out each brand’s size chart to get the best fitment for you. If you didn’t find a size chart – check out our 7-wetsuit brands’ size charts

Related: Best Women’s Short Wetsuits


 

best LONG JOHN surf wetsuits

 


 

O’NEILL – Reactor 2

o'neill reactor sleevless surf wetsuit

1.5mm / Front-zip / Best for: 70’F (20’C) and up

MSRP $120+

What makes the Reactor 2 so popular among surfers is that O’Neill produces the widest range of sizes for their wetsuits compared to any other brand.

The Reactor 2 series is by far one of the best value wetsuits, and this 1.5mm farmer john is a perfect example of that. Ideal for warm waters, you can easily extend the use and carry-on this suit to colder weather by using the Reactor long-sleeve jacket.

  • Long front zipper – Sturdy build with easy on and off use
  • UltraFlex neoprene – Great flexibility and warmth
  • Sleeveless design – Offers maximum flexibility and totally restriction-free paddling
  • Flatlock seam construction – for durability and comfort, a must-have for any decent surf wetsuit

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 


 

NEOSPORT – Waterman

NeoSport Men's Premium Neoprene 3mm Waterman John Wetsuit

3mm long john / Back-zip

MSRP: $50-$100

The NeoSport ‘Waterman’ sleeveless wetsuits come in various thicknesses – 3, 5, and up to 7mm. It’s a decent wetsuit under the 100-dollar line which can be used for any water activity out there such as – jet skiing, kite- or windsurfing, paddle boarding – you name it.

  • Neoprene – Made for diving, snorkeling, scuba, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and other water sports
  • Spot taped at stress points
  • Flatlock seams – provide a smooth interior and exterior surface for maximum comfort and durability
  • Diamond plate knee pads
  • Internal key pocket
  • Lycra trimmed wrist and ankle seals

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

STOHLQUIST – Storm John

long john neoprene wetsuit

3mm long john / front-zip

MSRP: $85+

Score: 4/5 out of 18+ reviewers. Easy on and off, thick 3mm neoprene with strengthened knees and softened seating. Not sure how great is it for surfing, but it sure does a great job in and around the water. Stohlquist recommends this wetsuit to be a perfect choice for rental companies as the sizes are also color-coded. So, whenever you are looking for a durable and warm long john wetsuit, there you have it!

  • 3mm standard neoprene
  • Flat-lock seams – comfort & durability
  • YKK zipper with elastic zipper lock
  • SupraTex knees and bottom for added durability and abrasion resistance
  • U-shaped cuff openings for easier donning/doffing

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

XCEL – Axis

xcel sleevless surf wetsuit

2mm long john / Back-zip

MSRP: $110

What’s great about the Xcel Axis is that it’s super lightweight and made by a brand that makes wetsuits only!

You heard it right, it’s hard to go wrong with a brand that has mastered the art of producing top-of-the-line cold water wetsuits. The Xcel Axis 2mm long john surf wetsuit has got the features borrowed from many other high-end wetsuits and blended into their warm-water surf wetsuit line-up. Definitely worth consideration!

  • 100% UltraStretch neoprene
  • Short back zipper – easy on and off
  • Well-designed armholes with inner SmoothSkin hem seals to minimize chafing
  • Should fit snug, but not too tight
  • Flexible DuraFlex knee panels
  • Comfortable flatlock seams
  • Lightweight neoprene
  • Designed for flexibility

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

BILLABONG – 202 Revolution Pump’d Smooth Skin

billabong sleevless long john surf wetsuit

Zipless / 1mm / Best for – 72’F-77’F (22’C – 25’C)

MSRP: $120

Super lightweight and flexible – the 1mm surf wetsuit is really a ‘layer’ you are looking for to protect yourself from the burning sun, wipeouts, or the jellyfish.

No zip – no problem. Entering the wetsuit is done by removing the shoulder pad.

  • Premium Glide-Skin Superflex neoprene
  • Glued and Blindstitched Sealed Seams
  • YKK front zip
  • Internal zig-zag sublimation
  • Temp. Guide: Warm 72°F – 77°F

 

best SHORT JOHN wetsuits

 


 

O’NEILL – O’Riginal

o'neill original sleevless surf wetsuit

2mm short john / Back-zip

MSRP: $90

Great wetsuit for warmer waters where you’d crave that little bit of warmth savings. Amazon’s best-seller! It’s got everything you could ask for when in a need for a warm/tropical weather wetsuit.

O’Neill O’riginal Review

  • 2mm Fluid Foam body, 1.5mm lightweight FluidFlex legs
  • GBS seams
  • Extended zipper pull tab
  • Seamless lumbar design
  • 100% nylon bonded to neoprene

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

RIP CURL – Aggrolite

rip curl aggrolite sleevless surf wetsuit

2mm short john / Back-zip

MSRP: $80

Simple and stretchy, you can easily trust your money on Rip Curl when it comes to surf wetsuits. The brand has mastered manufacturing a fine set of cold water wetsuit, so their Aggrolite is a definite go!

  • Should fit snug, but not too tight
  • E4 Neoprene
  • Freeflex Neoprene
  • E stitch seams
  • Mesh leg seals

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

XCEL – Axis Zipperless

xcel axis sleevless surf wetsuit

2mm short john / Zipless

MSRP: $80

The zipless ‘farmer john’. Unlike the Axis shorty, the zipless Axis offers zero restrictions when it comes to paddle performance. 2mm range keeps the best warmth around the 70’F (21’C) range while offering plenty of cool-down on much warmer waters as well.

  • Zipperless design
  • Performance-driven Stretch-panels
  • Smoothskin armholes
  • Loop it or Lose it
  • Waist Tab

Availability – XCEL.com


 

RIP CURL – Dawn Patrol Short John

rip curl sleevless shorty wetsuit

1.5mm Short John / Back-zip

MSRP: $95-115

An awesome performance sleeveless shorty wetsuit, aka the short john by Billabong. The Dawn Patrol series has a ton of affordable mid-entry range wetsuits to offer while having superb qualities for that price range. Whoever has used the E5 neoprene before knows the feel and level of warmth ‘waterproofness’ this suit has to offer knows exactly that there’s no need to go any further than here!

  • E5 Neoprene – easy stretch
  • E-Stitch high Stretch
  • Mesh skin chest & back panels

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

PATAGONIA – R1

patagonia sleevless wetsuit

Back Zip / 65°–75° F (18°–23° C) / Short john

MSRP: $149

One of the most advanced non-neoprene shorty wetsuits on the market. The R1 offers great warmth at a wide temperature range. From 65’F means that it can be great for early morning sunrise surf sessions!

  • 85% Yulex (Natural rubber) – 15% synthetic rubber by polymer content
  • Stretchy
  • 100% recycled polyester lining
  • Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

NRS – Little John

nrs sleevless short john wetsuit

2mm short john / Front zip

MSRP: $90

Another great alternative to the main surf brands, NRS short john offers great value and the essential features you would expect from a shorty wetsuit!

  • Lightweight
  • 2-mm Terraprene neoprene 
  • Flat-lock seams
  • Extra-long, double-pull YKK front relief zipper
  • Titanium laminate adhesive reflects heat back to your body

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

QUIKSILVER – Syncro

quicksilver Short John Wetsuit

2mm / Back-zip / Suitable for 70°F – 73°F (21°C – 23°C) and over

MSRP: $95

Simple yet durable and warm enough performance surf wetsuit by Quiksilver. As it is mainly designed for surfing, it can easily be used when kayaking, jet-skiing, and so on. It does a great job protecting from the sun and keeps that little bit of warmth we all crave after some degree of exhaustion!

  • 100% StretchFlight x2 neoprene
  • Flatlock stitched seams
  • Drainage holes

Check Availability – Amazon.com


 

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I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.

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