Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Wetsuits for Men Braving the Waves in 2022

Mike Richard
By

If you’re fortunate to live in Costa Rica or Hawaii or some other extravagant surfer’s paradise, your watersports “season” is a literal Endless Summer. Wetsuits might be a luxury or completely unnecessary. If, however, you live somewhere with actual seasons, the warm weather does, in fact, end at some point each year. In that case, you’ll likely need at least two wetsuits — one for summer (or what you call summer) and a heavier full-body suit for the shoulder seasons. Whether you’re shopping for a “shorty” to keep warm while surfing in cooler waters or you need a legit full-body wetsuit for cold-water freediving exploration, we’ve got you covered. These are the best wetsuits for men to shop in 2022.

Flatrock Wetsuits Sarvo Series 3/2mm Full-Length Steamer

Flatrock Wetsuits Sarvo Series 3/2mm Full-Length Steamer

Australia’s Flatrock Wetsuits sources its wetsuit materials from premium Japanese limestone. The result is a buttery soft neoprene that fits like a second skin and promises all-day comfort, no matter what you’re getting into. For cooler waters (57°F – 68°F), the Sarvo Series 3/2mm Full-Length Steamer is ideal. The brand warranties its suits for life. If yours ever tears or disintegrates — it won’t, by the way — Flatrock will repair or replace it free.

Henderson 7mm Greenprene Wetsuit

Henderson 7mm Greenprene Wetsuit

Henderson’s Greenprene wetsuit delivers the ultimate in cold-water protection. The 7mm thickness keeps warm in even the coldest New England waters. What’s more, the unique Greenprene material uses natural insulating foam and sustainable source materials like oyster shells and sugar cane in its construction. The result is a suit that’s soft, stretchy, durable, lightweight, and even hypoallergenic.

Related

O’Neill Psycho Tech 3/2+ Full Wetsuit

O’Neill Psycho Tech 3/2+ Full Wetsuit

If money is no object and only the best will do, O’Neill offers some of the world’s best wetsuits. The Psycho Tech 3/2+ Full Wetsuit is a serious suit for serious surfers. This premium shell combines the brand’s exclusive TechnoButter 3 neoprene with a Technobutter Firewall for the utmost protection and comfort. The “+” designation indicates an additional 0.5mm thickness for added warmth.

Vissla 7 Seas Gadoo 3/2 Full Suit

Vissla’s 7 Seas Gadoo features a streamlined design that’s equal parts modern and retro (note the classic racing stripes down the sleeve). It boasts much of the same protection as its thicker brethren, including abrasion-resistant knee pads, liquid tape cuff seals that prevent flushing, and patented tape for maximum seam sealing. Like every product in Vissla’s deep catalog, the 7 Seas Gadoo 3/2 Full Suit also boasts an eco-friendly construction. It’s crafted from sustainable materials like limestone-based neoprene and Bluesign-certified dyes.

Quiksilver 3/2 Syncro Back Zip GBS Wetsuit

Quiksilver 3/2 Syncro Back Zip GBS Wetsuit

That hand-me-down wetsuit your brother’s friend sold you for $50 is still a great deal. Warm, comfortable, durable, all-black, and always on sale somewhere. Just because it’s a budget-friendly buy, though, doesn’t mean it’s low-performance. The StretchFlight neoprene of this Quicksilver suit is made with extra air bubbles, while the WarmFlight lining reflects heat back to your body to simultaneously insulate and reduce weight.

Matuse Betz Full John

Matuse Betz Full John

Made from ultra-flexible, sustainable Geoprene, this 2mm sleeveless wetsuit will send you rocketing through the final stage like a guided missile. Matuse’s sleek Betz Full John is reinforced with durable satin seal spot-taping to keep your suit leakproof and is constructed with Hydrasilk to make you sleek as a sea lion in the water.

Body Glove Phoenix 2mm Men’s Short-Arm Fullsuit

Body Glove Phoenix 2mm Men's Short-Arm Fullsuit

For milder days, sometimes a 2-mil suit does the trick. Body Glove’s Phoenix 2mm men’s short-arm is the closest thing to full-body protection in an ultra-lightweight, pared-down design. It’s the right thickness for adventuring in mid-60 to low-70-degree waters. The Magnaflex exterior material and Nano-tritec knee panels offer just enough protection for most typical surf and diving days.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
The 10 Best Pieces of Solar Gear for Exploring Off-Grid in 2022
Group of people camping and dining off-grid with solar power.

These days, car camping and overlanding typically involve a ton of gear, including everything from smartphones and tablets to drones and portable refrigerators. Most of it requires power and, if you’re going off-grid for any length of time, you'll need plenty of it. Thankfully, solar gear — including portable power stations and the solar panels that fuel them — has caught up to the needs of tech-savvy off-grid explorers.

Whatever your power needs, there’s an option for you. If you’re a solo backpacker who obsesses over every gram you pack, there’s an ultra-portable solar power solution for you. For overlanders who pack everything and the kitchen sink, there are heavy-duty battery banks designed to run any standard household appliance, including hairdryers, microwaves, and even power tools. Car campers seeking a middle-of-the-road option have the most choice of all. But dialing in the right solution for your on-the-go power needs can be tricky. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the best solar gear for exploring off-grid in 2022.

Read more
10 Best Hiking Socks for Men To Buy in 2022

Even among hardcore outdoor gear lovers, socks are hardly a sexy topic. But, good socks are essential for just about every type of adventure. That’s doubly true for hiking. With the cooler weather around the corner, it’s time to leave the every day dress socks at home and start shopping for thicker midweight foot coverings. We’ve done the legwork for you to round up the best hiking socks for men in 2022.

Read more
A Beginner’s Guide to Kayaking in the Spring of 2022
A Beginner's Guide to Kayaking

Is there a better time than now to start thinking about spring plans? Spending long hazy days down by the water, lounging on the beach. What about dipping your toe into the water and learning how to kayak? We might be in winter mode and the lake might just be starting to show signs of defrosting, but right now is the time to plan spring adventures to ensure the warm weather doesn't pass you by. This beginner's guide to kayaking is the perfect read to rekindle our favorite outdoor pastime.

Few things are more relaxing than a day on the water, whether it’s upright on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or from inside a canoe or kayak. If you’ve been dying to take up the latter, here’s the low-down on getting started with kayaking.
Prepping for the Water
Gear Up
Whether you’re getting into freediving, snowboarding, or hiking, any new sport requires essential gear to get started. But, first-time kayakers don’t need to -- and probably shouldn’t -- buy the best, most expensive boats, paddles, and accessories. Figure out your budget and start small with affordable gear. As with all of the sports above, there are plenty of entry-level and mid-range brands that are perfect for beginners. It’s best to talk with a professional, even if you ultimately intend to buy online. At a minimum, you’ll need:

Read more