Wetsuit Buying Guide — Rip Curl and O'Neill Wetsuits for Los Angeles Surfing
Rider Shack carries Rip Curl and O'Neill wetsuits for every water temperature, every skill level, and every budget. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right wetsuit for surfing in Los Angeles — what thickness you need, how to pick a model, how to fit a wetsuit properly, and what accessories make the difference between a comfortable session and a miserable one.
Ready to shop? Browse men's wetsuits, women's wetsuits, and kids' wetsuits. Check our wetsuit size guide before ordering.
Water temperature guide for Los Angeles
The Pacific Ocean off Los Angeles runs cold year-round compared to the air temperature. Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, El Porto, and Manhattan Beach all hover around 58–65°F (14–18°C) through winter and spring, warming to 66–72°F (19–22°C) in late summer and fall. That means most surfers in LA need a wetsuit most of the year.
Summer (July–October) — 66–72°F / 19–22°C: A 2mm springsuit or wetsuit jacket on cooler mornings. Many surfers go rashguard-only in August and September at the peak of the summer warm. A 3/2mm is comfortable for morning sessions year-round.
Spring and fall (April–June, November) — 60–66°F / 16–19°C: A 3/2mm fullsuit is the standard. Chest zip or zip-free entry for performance surfers. Back zip for ease of getting in and out.
Winter (December–March) — 58–62°F / 14–17°C: A 4/3mm fullsuit. Some surfers add booties and a hood on the coldest mornings. A 3/2mm is marginal in these conditions — you'll survive but your hands will be cold by the end of the session.
These are guidelines, not rules. Body temperature sensitivity varies widely. If you run cold, size up in thickness. If you run warm, you can often go thinner. Ask us in store and we can help you calibrate.
Wetsuit thickness explained — 3/2mm, 4/3mm, 4/3mm with hood
Wetsuit thickness is written as two numbers: the thicker neoprene on the body / the thinner neoprene on the arms and legs. A 3/2mm has 3mm on the torso and 2mm on the limbs. A 4/3mm has 4mm on the torso and 3mm on the limbs. More mm means warmer but less flexible.
2mm — springsuits, jackets, and tops. Warm-water or summer-only use. Good for mornings in July and August.
3/2mm — the standard LA wetsuit. Works for most of the year at most local breaks. Available in back zip, chest zip, and zip-free.
4/3mm — winter and cold-water sessions. Significantly warmer than a 3/2mm with slightly less flexibility. A good 4/3mm with quality neoprene moves well enough for performance surfing.
4/3mm with hood — for the coldest winter days. The attached hood eliminates the single biggest source of heat loss — water flushing past your neck. Makes a real difference on those December and January mornings at Zuma, Malibu, or the South Bay.
Zip entry types — back zip, chest zip, zip-free
Back zip — the easiest entry. A long zipper runs down the centre back, making the suit simple to get into and out of. Slightly more water flushing than chest zip or zip-free, but the convenience is real, especially for kids and beginners. Back zip is the most common entry across the O'Neill Epic and Rip Curl Omega ranges.
Chest zip — a short zipper across the chest with a double anti-flush collar system. Warmer and more watertight than back zip. More effort to get in and out — you pull the suit over your head. Standard on performance wetsuits like the Rip Curl Flash Bomb, E-Bomb, Dawn Patrol, O'Neill Hyperfreak, Hyperfreak Fire, and Psycho Tech.
Zip-free — no zipper at all. The most flexible and most watertight entry. You stretch the suit on. More difficult to put on but unmatched in-water performance. Used on the Rip Curl Flash Bomb Zip Free and O'Neill Hyperfreak Zip Free.
Rip Curl wetsuit models
Rip Curl is an Australian surf brand founded in 1969 and one of the most technically advanced wetsuit makers in the world. Every model in their lineup uses E-series neoprene — E6 and E7 — which is lighter, warmer, and more flexible than standard neoprene.
Flash Bomb — Rip Curl's performance flagship. Built with E7 and E6 Flash Lining neoprene and the revolutionary FlashDry lining that dries the suit in 30 minutes or less. The Flash Bomb is the world's fastest-drying wetsuit — a genuine advantage for surfers who session twice a day. Available in chest zip and zip-free in 3/2mm and 4/3mm.
Flash Bomb Fusion — the evolution of the Flash Bomb. The Fusion adds Fusion Dry Seam Technology — a unique bonding technique that eliminates stitching on the body, creating a 96% stitch-free seam that doesn't leak. The traditional problem with any sewn wetsuit seam is that stitching eventually wicks water. The Fusion solves that permanently. Available in zip-free entry in 3/2mm and 4/3mm.
E-Bomb — Rip Curl's ultimate super-stretch wetsuit. Built with E7 neoprene throughout — 20% more stretch than E6 — and 100% internally taped seams for maximum durability and comfort. The E-Bomb prioritises unrestricted movement above all else. Available in zip-free, chest zip, and back zip across 3/2mm and 4/3mm. Also available as a hooded 4/3mm zip-free for cold winter sessions.
Dawn Patrol — Rip Curl's high-performance everyday wetsuit. The Dawn Patrol delivers performance features at an accessible price — E6 neoprene, sealed seams, and solid construction for regular surfers who want quality without paying Flash Bomb prices. Available in back zip and chest zip in 3/2mm and 4/3mm. Also available in 2mm springsuit and wetsuit jacket versions. A strong choice for the intermediate surfer who surfs regularly.
Omega — Rip Curl's entry-level wetsuit. The Omega uses E4 neoprene — more affordable than E6 and E7 but still a properly built suit. A good starting point for beginners, occasional surfers, and anyone who wants a reliable wetsuit without the premium price. Available in back zip in 3/2mm and 4/3mm. Kids' versions available.
O'Neill wetsuit models
O'Neill invented the modern wetsuit. Jack O'Neill built the first neoprene surf vest in his garage in 1952 in Santa Cruz and changed surfing forever. Today O'Neill builds wetsuits in Santa Cruz and is behind some of the most significant advances in neoprene technology, including the TechnoButter family of neoprenes.
Hyperfreak Fire — O'Neill's warmest high-performance wetsuit. Built with TechnoButter 4 (TB4) neoprene featuring graphene-infused fibers that create a heat-recirculating feedback loop — as your body warms the graphene fibers, they conduct that heat back into your body. The Hyperfreak Fire uses the F.U.Z.E. chest zip entry and Fluid Seam construction for a watertight seal. Available in 3/2mm and 4/3mm. This is the suit for committed surfers who want maximum warmth without giving up performance.
Hyperfreak — O'Neill's lightest, most flexible performance wetsuit. Built with TechnoButter 3 and TB3X neoprene — so light and flexible that O'Neill describes it as feeling like surfing naked. The Hyperfreak uses the F.U.Z.E. chest zip or zip-free entry with Fluid Seam construction. Available in 2mm, 3/2mm, and 4/3mm. A strong choice for performance-focused surfers who prioritise range of motion over maximum warmth.
Psycho Tech — O'Neill's premium cold-water wetsuit. Built with TB4 Firewall technology — graphene-infused neoprene that creates a thermal feedback loop trapping and recirculating body heat. The Psycho Tech is rated for the most serious cold-water conditions and includes Fluid Seam construction and chest zip or back zip entry. Available in 4/3mm and 5/4mm.
Heat — O'Neill's performance mid-range wetsuit. Built with TechnoButter 3 neoprene — 20% lighter and 30% less water absorption than standard premium neoprene — with TB3 Firewall in the chest and back. The Heat uses back zip entry with Fluid Seam construction. A strong step up from the Epic for surfers who want better technology without the Hyperfreak price.
Epic — O'Neill's best-value wetsuit. The Epic uses 100% UltraFlex neoprene with a double seal neck closure and lumbar seamless design (LSD) to eliminate lower back chafing. Back zip entry makes it one of the easiest wetsuits to get into. Available in 3/2mm and 4/3mm for men, women, and kids. O'Neill calls it the best value in the industry — a hard claim to argue with.
Reactor — O'Neill's entry-level springsuit and wetsuit jacket range. The Reactor uses UltraFlex neoprene in 1.5mm and 2mm configurations — ideal for warm water, summer sessions, and kids learning to surf. Available in back zip, zip-free, and front zip. A natural starting point for beginners and warm-water surfers.
Bahia — O'Neill's women's springsuit and jacket range. The Bahia runs in 1.5mm and 2mm for warm-water and summer sessions, in women's-specific cuts and colorways. Available in chest zip, back zip, and front zip entry.
How to fit a wetsuit
A wetsuit should feel like a second skin — snug without restricting movement or breathing. The most common mistake is buying too loose. A loose wetsuit flushes cold water constantly and defeats the purpose. Here's the test: put the suit on fully zipped, take a deep breath, and raise both arms overhead. If you can do both without restriction, the fit is right.
Check these specific points: the neck should sit flush against your skin with no gaps. The wrist and ankle cuffs should seal without cutting circulation. There should be no material bunching at the knees or elbows. The lower back panel should lie flat against your body.
Wetsuit sizing is brand-specific and has nothing to do with clothing sizing. A medium wetsuit from Rip Curl is not the same as a medium from O'Neill. Always measure height, weight, and chest before consulting the size chart. See our full wetsuit size guide for both brands.
Getting a wetsuit on — the WetChute
Getting into a wetsuit is famously awkward, especially for kids. The WetChute is a simple nylon sleeve that slides over your arm or leg, allowing the neoprene to glide over skin rather than grab and drag. It's a small tool that makes a genuine difference — particularly for kids who can now get themselves into their wetsuit independently. We carry the WetChute at Rider Shack and it's the kind of thing you don't know you need until you've used it once.
Wetsuit accessories
Booties — for cold winter sessions or rocky entry points. O'Neill Heat and Hyperfreak Fire booties in 3mm. Split-toe and round-toe options. Browse surfing booties.
Hoods — eliminates the single biggest source of heat loss in cold water. The O'Neill Squid Lid in 3mm. Browse wetsuit hoods.
Gloves — for the coldest winter sessions. Rip Curl E-Bomb gloves in 2mm and O'Neill Psycho Tech gloves in 1.5mm. Browse wetsuit gloves.
Wetsuit care — rinse your wetsuit in fresh water after every session. Hang it inside-out on a wide hanger to dry. Never leave it in direct sunlight or in a hot car. Wetsuit cleaner removes odour and salt build-up that degrades neoprene over time. Browse wetsuit care products.
Changing ponchos and mats — essential for beach parking lot changes. We carry Slowtide, Creatures of Leisure, Nomadix, Leus, Captain Fin, and our own Rider Shack ponchos. A changing mat protects your feet from hot pavement and keeps sand and grit off your suit during the change. Browse changing ponchos and changing mats.
Wetsuit repair and storage
Small tears and delamination in neoprene can be repaired at home with neoprene glue and repair patches. Acting quickly prevents small damage from spreading. Store your wetsuit flat or hung inside-out on a wide wetsuit hanger — never folded, which creases the neoprene and degrades it over time. Browse wetsuit repair and cleaning supplies.
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Not sure of your size? See our Wetsuit Size Guide for Rip Curl and O'Neill.
