A. FULL SUIT
This is the classic, all-over coverage wetsuit.
Description: Covers the entire body: arms, legs, and torso.
Best For: Cold to very cold water. This is the go-to for most surfers, divers, and triathletes in water temperatures below ~65°F (18°C).
Key Feature: Maximum warmth and protection from the sun and abrasions.
Variations: The thickness (e.g., 3/2mm, 4/3mm, 5/4/3mm) is chosen based on the specific water temperature.
B. SPRING SUIT (SHORTY)
The classic warm-water wetsuit.
Description: Features short arms and short legs, typically ending above the elbow and knee.
Best For: Warm water where you need some core warmth but full freedom for your limbs. Ideal for water temperatures between ~65-72°F (18-22°C).
Key Feature: Excellent mobility and flexibility, perfect for long sessions in milder conditions.
C. STEAMER / BACK ZIP
This is the traditional and most common style of full suit for decades.
Description: Features a single, long zipper that runs vertically up the back.
Pros: Generally easier to put on and take off because the back opens wide. Often more affordable.
Cons: The zipper can let in small flushes of cold water ("flush") and can create a pressure point on the back when paddling.
Best For: Recreational surfers, divers, and those on a budget.
D. CHEST ZIP / ZIP-FREE (THE MODERN HIGH-PERFORMANCE STANDARD)
This style has become the gold standard for performance in surfing and triathlon.
Description:
Chest Zip: The zipper is across the chest and shoulders, secured with a flap and a cord.
Zip-Free (or Zipless): Uses no zipper at all, relying on ultra-stretchy neoprene and a clever closure system over the chest.
Pros: Warmer (dramatically reduces water flush), more flexible, and contours to the body better, eliminating the back zipper pressure point.
Cons: Can be more difficult to get in and out of, and usually more expensive.
Best For: Serious surfers, triathletes, and anyone prioritizing maximum flexibility and warmth.
E. JACKET / SHORTY COMBO (TWO-PIECE)
A modular system for variable conditions.
Description: A separate long-sleeved wetsuit top (jacket) and spring suit bottom (shorts). They are worn together to create a full suit or separately.
Best For: Travel or areas where water temperature can vary. Gives you multiple options from one purchase.
Key Feature: Versatility.
F. WETSUIT VEST / TOP
For just a little extra core warmth.
Description: A sleeveless top, often with a front zipper, that provides core insulation without restricting the arms.
Best For: Wind protection and slight warmth in very warm water, or under a rash guard on a slightly cooler day.
G. WETSUIT SHORTS / PANTS (LONG JOHN)
Focus on leg warmth and protection.
Description:
Long John: A sleeveless, full-length bottom.
Wetsuit Pants/Shorts: Just the bottom half, with either long or short legs.
Best For: Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), or wearing under a drysuit. Sometimes used in surfing combinations.