What to Wear Surfing: Men and Women Surf Clothing Guide
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The question that trips up most first-timers: what do you actually wear in the water? Ordinary shorts get heavy, an ordinary swimsuit can come loose in the waves, and the wrong layer in winter leaves you too cold to practise.
This guide matches surf clothing to water temperature, has a section each for men and women, and ends with a checklist for before you leave.
The short answer: dress for the water temperature
| Water temp (approx.) | What to wear | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| About 24°C and above | Boardshorts, rash guard | No insulation needed; chafe and sun protection only |
| About 18–24°C | Rash guard, or a 2mm spring suit / short-sleeve top | Add a layer if you get cold |
| About 16–18°C | 3/2mm full wetsuit | Booties optional |
| About 13–16°C | 4/3mm full wetsuit | Booties recommended |
| About 9–13°C | 4/3mm or 5/4mm full wetsuit | Booties and gloves |
| Below about 9°C | 5/4mm or 6/5mm hooded wetsuit | Booties, gloves, hood |
This table is adapted from Rip Curl's public wetsuit thickness guide (the original is in Fahrenheit, so the Celsius values are conversions). O'Neill's public chart differs slightly (for example, 3/2mm or 4/3mm at 18–20°C), so brands do not fully agree. Treat the table as a starting point.
Reasons to go one layer thicker: wind, long sessions (over about 90 minutes), feeling the cold easily, or a suit that fits loosely and lets water flush through. On the other hand, a suit with good lining and seams feels warmer at the same thickness.
How to read the numbers: 4/3mm means 4mm on the torso and 3mm on the arms and legs. The limbs are thinner so you can paddle and move more easily.
In Taiwan, 3/2mm is usually the thickest you need at most spots. 4/3mm and 5/4mm are mostly for cold-water trips abroad. Water temperature varies by coast and season, so check the forecast on the day, and ask the local surf shop what thickness they recommend for that break.
Boardshorts: the basic choice
Ordinary beach shorts get very heavy when wet and slow you down when you pop up. Proper boardshorts are lighter, dry fast, and have a tie at the waist so they stay put during big movements.
What do you wear under boardshorts?
Most people wear nothing and just go in with the boardshorts. Some wear surf-specific underwear, mainly to prevent chafing: over a long session, skin rubbing against the shorts can get painful. If you surf for a long time, or found it sore after your first session, that is worth trying.
Rash guard: the first thing worth buying
When you paddle lying down, your chest rubs against the wax on the board all the time. A rash guard reduces chest and underarm rubbing and also blocks sun on your upper body. Many shops rent them, but owning one means you are not wearing someone else's, and you can pick the style you like.
What do you wear under a wetsuit? A rash guard is already a close-fitting layer, so you usually wear it as is, with no cotton T-shirt. Under a wetsuit, women usually wear a bikini or a fitted swimsuit, and men usually wear swim trunks or nothing. The rule is to keep it close-fitting and avoid water-absorbing cotton.
What men wear
- Summer: boardshorts plus a rash guard (short sleeve is fine).
- Cooler seasons: a spring suit over the rash guard, or a full wetsuit.
- Winter: a long-sleeve, long-leg wetsuit for the water temperature. Under it, most wear nothing; if you do, pick surf-specific underwear.
What women wear
- Bottoms, most common: a surf-specific bikini. The crossed straps at the back are more stable and do not come loose as easily.
- If you prefer more coverage or are not used to a bikini: athletic shorts over rash-guard leggings.
- Top: a surf bikini top or sports bra, with a rash guard on top. If you wear a regular fashion bikini, tie it tightly and put a rash guard over it so it does not come loose in a wipeout.
- Cooler seasons and winter: add a wetsuit for the water temperature, with a fitted swimsuit underneath.
Wetsuits: choosing the thickness
Wetsuit thickness is given in mm. A higher number is warmer and less flexible. Check three things:
- Water temperature: the colder, the thicker. Use the table above and the size chart of the brand you buy.
- Fit: too loose lets water in and will not keep you warm; too tight is restrictive. Try it on and squat and raise your arms.
- Style: long sleeves and legs are warmest; a short (Short John) is cooler and easier to move in.
Do not forget the extras
- Sun protection: choose reef-friendly sunscreen. Wear it on cloudy days too, since the water reflects UV onto your face.
- Hat and sunglasses: protect your scalp and eyes after the session.
- Daily contact lenses: the safest choice if you need vision correction in the water.
- Your own surf leash: you do not know how many times a rental leash has been used. Your own is easier to inspect. How to choose one: How to Choose a Surf Leash: 6 Things to Check Before You Buy
- Flip-flops and a changing robe: for changing on the beach.
What to wear after the session
Wet clothes are heavy, so bring a dry top. COTT has two T-shirts, the COTT logo T-shirt and the Ricky Billy 50 T-shirt, that are easy to wear after surfing. (They are cotton everyday shirts, not for wearing in the water.)
Before-you-go checklist
- ☐ Boardshorts or swimsuit (tried on, tie secure)
- ☐ Rash guard
- ☐ Wetsuit (for the season and water temperature)
- ☐ Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- ☐ Daily contact lenses if needed
- ☐ Dry clothes and a changing robe
- ☐ A waterproof bag for wet clothes
- ☐ Surf leash
For everything else to bring on your first surf, read: Your First Surf: What to Bring
Sources for water temperature and wetsuit thickness: Rip Curl wetsuit thickness guide and O'Neill water temperature chart.