Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-15 Origin: Site
In most of Europe, a wetsuit is needed for at least three quarters of the year. In France alone, with water temperatures ranging from 8 to 25 degrees, most avid surfers will have 2 or 3 wetsuits in their armory. They will have a spring suit, a summer suit and a winter wetsuit so that they can surf comfortably all year round.
The numbers 5/3, 4/3, 3/2, etc. refer to the thickness of the neoprene in millimeters and therefore describe the warmth of the wetsuit. 5/3 wetsuits are 5 mm thick in the torso and 3 mm thick in the arms and legs. The same logic applies to 4/3 and 3/2 wetsuits that use thinner rubber and therefore do not retain warmth as well.
Your choice will depend on the season you plan to use the suit, the water temperature, the wind speed, and how cold you personally are. In 13 degree water, as you would find in the winter off the Atlantic coast of France, you would choose a 4/3. Once the water temperature reaches 16 degrees in the spring, you can switch very comfortably to a 3/2. For the winter throughout most of the UK, you will need a 5/3.
If you want to know more, please feel free to contact us!