How to Find Your Perfect Wetsuit Fit Online
Buying a wetsuit online can feel a little like guessing the swell from your phone, you kind of know, but you’re never 100% sure until you’re in it. And when it comes to wetsuits, fit really is everything. It changes how warm you stay, how free you feel, and how long you want to stay out in the water.
So here’s a simple way to get it right, even from your screen, no stress, no overthinking.
Start with your real measurements
Before anything else, grab a soft measuring tape and check your chest, waist, and hips. If you’re choosing a full suit, it’s also worth noting your height.
Keep it natural, no sucking in or pulling tight. You’re not trying to “fit” a size, you’re just getting a true starting point for the right one.
Let the size chart do the heavy lifting
Once you’ve got your measurements, match them to the size chart and go with the size that best covers your overall shape.
Don’t worry if one number feels slightly off, wetsuits are designed to move and stretch with you in the water.
Hot Tip- If you are a tall gal, go with a size up. We fitted girls 175-185cm tall at NZ Fashion Week, and found if we sized them up it worked a trick.
Between sizes? Here’s the simple rule
If you land between sizes, think about how you want it to feel:
- Tighter fit: go smaller for better warmth and performance (less water flushing through).
- Easier fit: go up a size if you want something more relaxed or you’re new to wetsuits and are not use to the firm fit of wetsuits yet.
It’s always easier to tolerate a suit that feels firm than one that’s too loose in the water. Also keep in mind that once you're in the water, you often forget about any firmness.
Hot Tip- For example, I myself can wear a size 8 and 10. Both fit me super nicely- just one is a smidge firmer than the other. So you can't get this part wrong. Often either size will work.
It should feel snug.
A wetsuit should feel tight when you first put it on. That’s normal. Almost like it’s hugging you in all the right places.
After a few surfs, it softens and moulds to your body.
What you don’t want is extra space. If there are gaps, water will move through the suit and you’ll lose warmth fast.
A good fit feels secure, close, and free to move in — not restrictive, just held.
Thickness and style make a difference
Not all wetsuits fit exactly the same:
- Lighter suits (2mm): more stretch, a bit more forgiving
- Thicker suits (3/4mm): firmer feel, less give — if you’re in between, size up can be safer
It’s less about overthinking and more about how you want to feel in the water, locked in or slightly more relaxed.
We’ve got your back if it’s not right
If you get it wrong the first time, it’s not a big deal. Exchanges are easy, and we’ll help you get into the right fit so you can get on with it.
Quick fit check when you try it on
Once it’s on, check in with how it feels:
- No big folds under the arms
- No loose gaps at the waist
- No extra room in arms or legs
If you’ve got those, it’s probably too big. A wetsuit should feel like it’s part of you, close to the skin, but still letting you move freely.
The takeaway
Getting the right wetsuit online isn’t about guessing, it’s just about knowing a few simple things upfront. Once you’ve got your measurements and understand how wetsuits are meant to feel, it becomes a lot easier.
Then it’s just about getting it on, heading out, and enjoying the water.