Supporting the youth towards well-being through surfing is a priceless decision. Surfing is a sport that teaches a lot about the environment, being fit, patience, coordination, and is also a perfect way to meet other like-minded individuals.
To our fortune, we live in an era where there’s a ton of technologically advanced gear that can be purchased at a reasonable price. This article is mainly aimed at parents who are looking to get their kids a proper wetsuit for surfing.
Table of Contents
Youth’s Wetsuit FAQ
Best
GIRLS’
Surf
Wetsuits
1. O’Neill – Reactor 2
2. Xcel – Axis Water Inspired
3. Roxy – POP SURF
4. Roxy – Syncro
5. Rip Curl – Dawn Patrol
6. O’Neill – Epic
1. O’Neill – REACTOR 2 Youths’
Best wetsuit for girls with the best feedback! 4.5/5 Rating on AMAZON
Preferred water temperature: 58F – 68’F / 14’C – 20’C
Reactor 2 is the best-selling wetsuit for everyone – Men, Women, Boys, and Girls. It has the best price for a quality rating on the market! Easy entry, plenty of warmth, and stretch that one could ask for. Great for many other water-related activities as well.
- Fullsuit/FluidFlex™ Neoprene fabric – High stretch neoprene has an ultra-soft hand for maximum comfort
- Flatlock seams – Flexible and strong, providing a durable seam that still allows some water into the suit for cool-down
- Hidden key pocket
- Fully adjustable single super seal collar
- YKK™ full zip closure in the back that helps to keep you dry
- Smooth skin finish on collar and torso helps to reduce drag when swimming
- Seamless paddle zones allow unrestricted motion and help reduce chafing
- Krypto Knee Padz™ provide flexible, abrasion-resistant, and ergonomic knee protection
- Color block design
- Brand call-outs throughout
- 85% nylon, 15% spandex; Lining: 100% polyester
2. Xcel – Axis Water Inspired 2/1
MSRP: $80 Xcel Wetsuits
The Axis from the Water-Inspired series is a 2/1mm shorty wetsuit that’s made of soft eco-friendly Dope Dye Yarn for the best 100% performance stretch. Front zipper for easy in-and-out, there’s way more behind the wetsuit you’d want to read. By getting water-inspired, you are investing in sea life conservation. Click to read more.
3. Roxy – POP SURF
The best shorty wetsuit for girls!
Thicknesses: 1mm / 1,5mm / 2mm / 3/2
Type: Vertical Front Zip Long-sleeve Shorty, Full wetsuit
Roxy’s Pop Surf wetsuit is a great all-rounder wetsuit. As it is designed for surfing, it’s also suitable for any other summertime water-related activities. The Pop surf is a warm-water orientated wetsuit, so there’s no need to look further for a spring suit for girls.
- F’N Lite neoprene
- Coil B-Lock seams
- Vertical front zip entry system with YKK #8 plastic zip
- Flush Lock 2.0 seals on wrists and ankles
4. Roxy – SYNCRO Girls’
Thicknesses: 2/2 Shorty, 3/2, 4/3
Types: Back Zip Full Wetsuit, Back Zip Shorty
Syncro is Roxy’s most known wetsuit by female surfers. This series has a wide variety of different types and designs to choose from. It is definitely worth consideration when you are looking for a warm, durable, and comfortable surf wetsuit for girls.
The Syncro is a performance-driven wetsuit for spring and summer use.
- F’n LITE neoprene
- Thermal Smoothie on chest and back panels
- WarmFlight far infrared thermal lining on the chest and back panel
- Triple glued & blindstitched (GBS) seams
- Back zip entry system with YKK #10 metal zip
5. Rip Curl – DAWN PATROL Girls’
Thickness: 1.5mm, 2mm, 3/2
Types: Back Zip shorty, back zip full spring suit
The very technologically advanced Dawn Patrol provides just the right amount of flexibility and comfort a young surfer could ask for. Rip Curl is a brand that specializes in surf gear, and the Dawn Patrol is their mid-range suit. It is very comfortable, stretchy, and warm. As it is suitable for surfing – it can be used for short-distance swimming and snorkeling with ease.
- GBS
- E5 neoprene in the arms and free flex neoprene in the body
- E5 taping in critical stress points add durability and comfort
6. O’Neill – EPIC Girls’ Surf Wetsuit 4/3
Widest variety of different designs and sizes!
The widely preferred model Epic by O’Neill has many of the same features as other high-end wetsuits at a reasonable price.
- UltraFlex DS neoprene
- Double seal neck closure
- LSD (Lumbar seamless design)
- Covert blackout zip
- Clean graphics and sharp style lines
BEST
SURF
WETSUITS
FOR
BOYS
7. Quiksilver – SYNCRO
8. O’Neill – EPIC
9. Xcel – Youth Comp Hooded
10. O’Neill – REACTOR 2
11. Billabong – ABSOLUTE COMP
7. Quiksilver – SYNCRO Boys’
Best 2/2 performance shorty
The Syncro has a performance package that won’t stop the young ones from losing their stoke. It is reliably warm for a 2mm suit, which helps to protect the body from the morning chills and damaging UV rays. It’s a go-to wetsuit for anyone who’s looking for a durable, comfortable, and best price to quality boys’ surf wetsuit!
- 100% StretchFlight x2 neoprene
- Flatlock stitched seams
- Back zip entry with YKK #10 plastic zip
- Hydrowrap adjustable neck closure
- Drainage holes
8. O’Neill – EPIC Youth Surf Wetsuit
Best selection of different designs!
Thickness: 4/3
Type: Back Zip Full Wetsuit
As the name says, Epic has awesome features for that price tag! There are a ton of different design variations for everyone!
- Ultra-stretch neoprene
- Seams are blind stitched and triple glued (GBS)
- Wind-Resistant FluidFlex firewall panels provide extra insulation and protection against the cold
- UltraFlex DS neoprene
- Double seal neck closure
- LSD – seamless lumbar design
- Covert blackout zip
9. Xcel – Youth Comp Hooded 4.5/3.5MM
MSRP: $190
You are looking at one of the best cold-water kids’ surf wetsuits. This hooded chest-zip suit is made of Nanoprene Lite Japenese Limestone. What Xcel has put into the suit uses a 100% ultra flex design, a watertight zipper, the new plush Thermo Lite Infrared Chest that generates warmth in movement.
Another essential you’d want to expect in a youth’s performance wetsuit are the triple glued and blindstitched seams, reinforced FusionX taped stress points, and water-based glue on seams.
10. O’Neill – REACTOR 2 Youths’
Best 3/2 Springsuit with the most available sizes, types and top recommendations!
Thickness: 3/2
Type: Back Zip Full Wetsuit
The reactor is another widely used youth wetsuit that has plenty of technology at a reasonable price. One of the most favored models in the youth wetsuit industry.
- Top Sleeve / under Sleeve
- FluidFlex on chest and back
- Mesh Ssmoothskin fluid foam
- Krypto knee pads
- Ergonomic knee protection
- Smoothskin fluid foam neck
- 30% FluidFlex / 70% fluid foam
- YKK back zip system
- Single super seal collar
- Fully adjustable seal
- Hidden key pocket
- Flatlock stitched (Breathable seams)
- Strategic seamless paddle zones
11. Billabong – ABSOLUTE COMP Boys’
The most technologically advanced boys performance surf wetsuit!
Thickness: 4/3
Type: Chest Zip Full Wetsuit
Never compromise when it comes to the quality of your cold water wetsuit. Technical details include thermal-insulting hollow fiber lining at the back and front pressure-bonded internal stretch tape for durability warmth and stretch and engineered seam placement to maximize performance. The model Absolute Comp is the only chest-zip boy’s wetsuit in this list.
- Premium AX2 Superflex neoprene
- Hollow fiber thermal lining back and front for warmth
- Pressure bonded strategic internally stretch tape
- Refined, machine applied internally bonded stretch taping ensures comfortable leak-free seals
- Engineered seam placement to maximize performance
Youth’s Wetsuit FAQ
How to Choose a Wetsuit for Kids?
Wetsuit is the most important surfing gear. A decent suit keeps the body well insulated for a long time, so I wouldn’t cut corners when choosing a wetsuit for kids.
First, make sure which season the kids will be surfing. Is it just the summer, or also the winter? Summer wetsuits for kids are cheaper due to thinner neoprene, while winter wetsuits – other times called the steamers, are thicker and packed with more technology to keep the warmth.
WETSUIT SIZE CHART (Opens a new tab)
Check out the size charts for Quiksilver & Roxy, Rip Curl, Billabong, and O’Neill
How Much to Pay For a Kids’ Wetsuit?
Kids’ wetsuits generally range around $50-$200 depending on the type. Budget kids’ wetsuits are rather basic, therefore more suitable for summer use, while thicker wetsuits are holding warmth during the winter months as well. We always recommend choosing the known brands in the surf industry, as supermarket wetsuits are not that great for athletic use.
The Young Grow So Fast, Should I Buy One Size Up So They Would Grow Into It?
No. Always buy the right size when it comes to wetsuits as the real warmth is generated only when the wetsuit is snug around the body.
Some local surf stores buy your second-hand wetsuit as a trade-in for a new one, or trade-in for a used wetsuit if they have the right sizing available. Well known surf brands (Quiksilver&Roxy, Rip Curl, O’Neill, and Billabong hold their value and quality rather well)
What is the Difference Between Boys’ And Girls’ Wetsuits?
Besides the most crucial factor for the young ones – is the design & color. Other than that, the youth’s wetsuits share the same sizing chart.
What Are The Best Surf Wetsuit Brands Suitable For Kids?
Billabong, Quiksilver&Roxy, Rip Curl, O’Neill are producing the most wetsuits all around the world for surfers of all levels and ages.
How to Take Care of the Wetsuit?
- A wetsuit should be rinsed in clean water after surfing, inside out.
- Leave the wetsuit soaking in a bucked for a while.
- Hang the wetsuit at a shaded spot away from direct sunlight.
- Use a wide wetsuit hanger and fold it from the middle so that the heavy wetsuit wouldn’t stretch too much
How to Choose the Wetsuit According to the Seasons?
Check out the recommended wetsuit thickness temperature chart.
Generally, all-year-round surfers have 2-3 wetsuits. A 2mm shorty for summer use, 3/2 for spring seasons, and a 4/3 or even a 5/4 for colder weather. Usually, the best and most consistent swells are during the winter unless you are living near the equator.
What is a Steamer, Springsuit, Full suit, or a Rashie?
- A steamer is a winter wetsuit. The term comes from the steam, that comes from inside the wetsuit then taking it off in the cold air, or simply what happens with the air inside the suit.
- Springsuit is a wetsuit used in autumn or spring. Something in the middle of a warm and thick wetsuit
- Full Suit means that the wetsuit has full-length arms and legs, sometimes even a hoodie.
- Rashie – A rash vest is a long or short-sleeved shirt used in the summer surf session to avoid getting the chest rash from the surfboard
- Shorty – A wetsuit with short arms/legs
How to Choose
How to Choose A Wetsuit?
- TYPE – Determine which type of wetsuit are you after. A Front/Back Zip, Long-sleeve spring suit, or a Short Jane
- THICKNESS – Choose the right thickness for the season. You’ll find the recommended thickness chart down below.
- SIZE – Make sure you get exactly the right size! A wetsuit must fit snug but not too tight.
Choosing the right size wetsuit is a crucial step as the kids will be spending a fair amount of quality time in it! A well-known surf brand kid’s surf wetsuits are very comfortable, designed in a way that helps to enjoy each surf session!
You’ll find each brand’s sizing charts down below!
How Should A Wetsuit Fit? RULE #1 When Buying A Wetsuit – Get Exactly The Right Size!
NB! When you have to choose between sizes, go for:
#1 – Weight
#2 Torso length
#3 Length
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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.