A good wetsuit is what makes the difference between a session cut short by the cold and one you enjoy to the end. Paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing, wing foiling or sea walking: it keeps you warm, protects you from the sun and from chafing, and extends your season by several months.
You still need to pick the right one. Thickness, style, fit, size: here is our advice for finding the wetsuit that suits your activity and the water temperature.
How does a wetsuit work?
Neoprene is an insulating foam filled with tiny air bubbles. A thin layer of water between the suit and your skin is warmed by your body and stays in place. For this to work, the wetsuit must fit snugly: if it is too loose, cold water keeps flushing through and you lose that warmth.
1. Thickness: the number one criterion
Thickness is given in millimetres with two numbers, for example 3/2 or 4/3. The first number is the neoprene on the chest, back and legs, where warmth matters most. The second, thinner one is for the arms, to keep freedom of movement.
The colder the water, the thicker the wetsuit. Here are our guidelines:
| Water temperature | Recommended wetsuit | At HANA |
|---|---|---|
| Above 21 °C | Neoprene top or shorty | Maui Jacket 2 mm |
| 18 to 21 °C | 3/2 mm shorty | Waimea men’s shorty, Portofino women’s shorty |
| 15 to 21 °C | 3/2 mm full suit | Waimea men’s full suit, Portofino women’s full suit, Kids 3/2 |
| 11 to 15 °C | 4/3 mm full suit | Waimea 4/3 men, Portofino 4/3 women, Kids 4/3 |
| Below 11 °C | 5/4 mm full suit with boots, gloves and hood | – |
These are guidelines only. If you feel the cold easily, if it is windy or if you stay in the water for a long time, go one thickness up.
To give you an idea: on the French coast, the Mediterranean often goes above 22 °C in summer, while the Channel and the northern Atlantic are closer to 17 to 19 °C. In spring and autumn, the water drops below 16 °C almost everywhere.
2. Style: shorty, full suit or top?
The neoprene top
A thin neoprene jacket or top, worn with a swimsuit or boardshorts. Ideal in high summer for paddle boarding or kayaking, when you rarely fall in but want protection from wind and sun. The HANA Maui Jacket 2 mm can be worn on its own from 21 °C, or over a wetsuit when the water gets cooler.
The shorty
Short arms and legs: this is the summer wetsuit. It keeps your torso warm while leaving plenty of freedom of movement, for water from around 18 °C.
The full suit
Long arms and legs: it covers the whole body and lets you get out on the water in spring, autumn and even winter, depending on its thickness. It is the most versatile choice if you only buy one wetsuit.
3. Which wetsuit for which activity?
- Stand up paddle and kayak: you spend most of the time out of the water, but exposed to the wind. A shorty or a top is enough in summer. In spring and autumn, a 3/2 full suit keeps you from getting cold if you fall in.
- Surfing and wing foiling: you spend a lot of time in the water and fall often. Go one thickness up from what you would wear for paddle boarding.
- Sea walking: you walk immersed up to the waist or chest, often out of season. A 3/2 or 4/3 full suit is a must.
- Towable tubes and wakeboarding: falls and speed cool you down quickly. A shorty in summer, a full suit as soon as the water drops below 20 °C. Neoprene also prevents chafing.
4. Choosing the right size
A wetsuit should be close-fitting, like a second skin. A few things to check when trying it on:
- No air pockets or folds at the back, armpits or knees.
- The neck is snug without squeezing your throat.
- You can raise your arms and squat comfortably.
- It feels a little tight when dry: that is normal, neoprene loosens slightly in the water.
If you are between two sizes, choose the one that fits the torso best, since that is where warmth matters. The size guide is available on each product page, and we are happy to advise you.
HANA wetsuits come in a men’s cut (Waimea), a women’s cut (Portofino) and a kids’ version (Kids, ages 8 to 14), designed for each body shape. For a child, choose by height rather than age, and avoid buying too big: cold water would flush through the suit.
5. The details that matter
- The neoprene: a stretchy neoprene makes moving and getting the suit on easier. Our wetsuits use limestone-based SCR neoprene.
- The seams: flat seams are fine in summer. For cold water, stitched and glued seams limit water entry.
- The closure: a back zip is the easiest to put on, especially for beginners.
- The thermal lining: on 4/3 models, an inner lining makes a real difference to warmth in winter.
6. Caring for your wetsuit so it lasts
- Rinse it in fresh water after every session, especially after the sea.
- Dry it in the shade, inside out, on a wide hanger. Sunlight damages neoprene.
- No tumble dryer, no ironing, no hot water.
- Store it hanging rather than folded, to avoid creases.
In short
First choose the thickness for the water temperature you most often go out in, then the style for the season, and finally the snuggest size. For a single versatile wetsuit, a 3/2 full suit covers most of the year. Add a shorty or a jacket for summer, and move up to a 4/3 if you go out in winter.
Discover our full range of HANA wetsuits for men, women and kids. A question about size or model? Contact us, we’ll be happy to help.
See you on the water!