The Best Women’s Wetsuit Jackets of 2023 – The Inertia

Nothing puts a damper on an epic surf session more than being cold. Once the shivers start, it’s time to paddle in, regardless of how good the waves are. And unless you’ve got some way to warm up, it’s unlikely you’ll be paddling back out.

Wetsuit jackets are easy to throw on, making them the perfect way to combat the cold. If you’re heading out to surf in a bikini or swimsuit, having a bit of neoprene on the beach or close by is a great idea. After some testing, we’ve rounded up our favorite wetsuit jackets for women. For more info on what to look for in a wetsuit jacket, check out or Buyer’s Guide. And to see these wetsuit jackets side-by-side, check out our Comparison Table.

Best Overall Wetsuit Jacket: Xcel Axis Long Sleeve Front Zip Jacket

Best Budget Wetsuit Jacket: NRS Ignitor Jacket

Runner-Up Best Wetsuit Jacket: O’Neill Bahia Full-Zip Jacket

Most Stylish Wetsuit Jacket: Billabong Peeky Wetsuit Jacket

Warmest Wetsuit Jacket: Kassia + Surf La Luna 2mm Jacket

Best Overall Wetsuit Jacket

Xcel Axis Long Sleeve Front Zip Jacket ($95)

Pros: Created with eco-friendly neoprene, engineered fit
Cons: No key loop

Thickness: 1.5/1mm

Xcel’s Axis Long Sleeve Front Zip combines performance and comfort into one stylish jacket. The jacket has a black center, with colorful printed sleeves for a fun touch of style. The jacket was created with eco-friendly limestone neoprene, resulting in a comfortable yet stretchy jacket.

The engineered fit ensures the jacket fits true to size and the front zip makes it easy to take the jacket on and off. The Axis jacket sports 1.5mm neoprene on the body and 1mm on the side panels, making for the perfect blend of warmth and flex. Our only gripe was the lack of a key loop, which may or may not be a factor for some.

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Best Budget Wetsuit Jacket

NRS Ignitor Jacket ($70)

Pros: Made from recycled materials, durable
Cons: Runs big, stiffer than other jackets

Thickness: 2mm

Designed with river life in mind, NRS’s Ignitor Jacket is equal parts warm and durable. The jacket’s nylon interior and exterior are made from dope-dyed recycled materials, the neoprene is made from recycled tires, and everything is sealed with water-based adhesives. The full-zip entry allows for plenty of flexibility when it comes to comfort and warmth and the flat-locks seams ensure nothing rubs while paddling.

At 2mm thick, the jacket offers plenty of warmth and can easily be paired with a rashguard for even more insulation. Being on the warmer side, the jacket is a little stiffer than most wetsuit jackets but is also more durable. These jackets tend to run big, so order a size down for the best fit.

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Runner-Up Best Wetsuit Jacket

O’Neill Bahia Full-Zip Jacket ($100)

Pros: Stretchy and comfortable, rated UPF 50
Cons: Not as durable as some other options

Thickness: 1.5mm

We don’t know what O’Neill has done to upgrade their suits, but they hit the nail on the head when it comes to comfort. The jacket features Ultraflex DS material that is super stretchy, allowing for maximum mobility while paddling and shredding, which could explain the comfort. Top that off with flatlock stitched seams and chaffing and irritation are wetsuit woes of the past.

Available in three different color options, the jacket is rated to UPF 50+, so not only does it keep you warm, but it keeps you protected from the harsh summer sun as well. This jacket performed in comfort and style, but finished just behind Xcel’s Axis jacket due to its lack of sustainable materials.

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Most Stylish Wetsuit Jacket

Billabong Peeky Wetsuit Jacket ($120)

Pros: Made from recycled materials, comfortable
Cons: Not as durable as some jackets

Thickness: 1mm

Billabong has been our lead tester’s go-to for springsuits and wetsuit jackets for years and their Peeky Wetsuit Jacket solidified her love for their summertime neoprene. At 1mm thick, it’s plenty stretchy and comfortable and gives that added warmth you need. It’s also made from recycled neoprene, is topped with a recycled jersey, and is finished with non-toxic water-based adhesive. Because this suit is a little on the thin side, we worry it will stretch out quicker than other options, but it is well-made so we’re sure it’ll last a couple of seasons at least. With a variety of prints and colorways, you’ll be sure to find one that pairs seamlessly with your bikini bottoms or swimsuit.

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Warmest Wetsuit Jacket

Kassia + Surf La Luna 2mm Jacket ($158)

Pros: Stash pocket for keys, made from natural limestone + eco-carbon neoprene
Cons: Only available in one color

Thickness: 2mm

From the mind of longboard legend Kassia Meador, the La Luna jacket is surf tested and approved. At Kassia + Surf, they take the environment into consideration when creating all their products. As a result, the La Luna jacket is made from premium natural limestone + eco-carbon neoprene and is delivered in sustainable packaging.

Made from a super stretchy material, the jacket is nice and flexible, delivering when it comes to comfort. Double blind stitched and glued seams ensure the suit won’t fall apart prematurely and a stash pocket on the left arm allows you to easily store keys and wax. Sporting a subtle lunar print, the suit is stylish and fun while still pairing well with most bottoms.

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Best of the Rest

Most Sustainable Wetsuit Jacket

Patagonia R1 Lite Yulex Long-Sleeve Top ($139)

Pros: Made from Yulex natural rubber, internal key loop
Cons: No exciting prints or colors

Thickness: 1.5mm

At Patagonia, quality and sustainably are the name of the game and the R1 Lite Yulex top is no exception. The neoprene-free jacket is made from 85% Yulex natural rubber that is FSC certified by the Rainforest Alliance and 15% chlorine-free synthetic rubber. Additionally, the jacket is Fair Trade Certified sewn, the water-based glue used for the linings is solvent-free, and the jacket features solution-dyed recycled polyester linings.

The jacket sports flatlock seams for maximum comfort and a corrosion-proof zipper that is sure to withstand the test of time. The jacket also includes an internal key-loop, which is much appreciated. Although Patagonia’s wetsuits take a little longer to break in, the jacket is incredibly well-made and warm, so we know it will be in our closet for many trips around the sun.

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Stretchiest Wetsuit Jacket

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Long Sleeve Jacket ($100)

Pros: Super stretchy, timeless style
Cons: Runs small

Thickness: 1.5mm

The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Long Sleeve Jacket is a classic wetsuit jacket. At 1.5mm thick, it provides the perfect amount of warmth and with a front zip, it can be worn open or zipped up. The jacket runs a little small (we’d suggest ordering a size up), but the E5 neoprene is super stretchy to compensate. In timeless black, this wetsuit jacket will never go out of style and will match all the bikini bottoms and boardshorts in your collection.

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Sisstrevolution Summer Seas Jacket ($105)

Pros: Multiple print/style options, comfortable
Cons: Not super warm

Thickness: 1mm

Whether you prefer simple or bold styles, Sisstrevolution has you covered with their Summer Seas Jacket. The jacket is available in solid black as well as a retro floral print, so you can keep it mellow or funky – we’re big fans of the floral. The front zip jacket features flat lock seams and contrast paneling, so it’s super comfortable. At 1mm thick, it’s not too warm but adds the extra insulation you need for chillier summer days.

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Comparison Table

How We Tested

Our lead tester Rebecca Parsons lives on Oahu, Hawaii, where it’s typically warm enough to surf in a bikini. But sometimes, the water temp drops a bit or the wind picks up and it can get a tad chilly. Wetsuit jackets are the perfect solution because they add a little bit of extra warmth but can easily be unzipped if it gets to warm. To test these jackets, our tester did her due diligence and surfed in all of the options included here (as well as a few others that didn’t make the cut) at some of her favorite breaks and considered how comfortable the wetsuit jackets were to paddle and surf in, how durable they seemed, and if they kept her warm while in the water. She also wore them while freediving and snorkeling as well to test their multi-sport functionality.

Ratings Table

What Makes a Good Wetsuit Jacket?

Comfort
Comfort is our number one priority for most clothing items and wetsuit jackets are no exception. We want our jacket to be cozy and comfy so we can wear it for marathon sessions and not have to worry about it bunching or causing chaffing. Our goal is to have the jacket feel like a second skin.

Style
If we’re going to be wearing it often, we want something that looks good, so we feel confident wearing it for surfing, diving, and everything in between. We appreciate solids for their ability to match boardshorts and bikini bottoms. We’re also a big fan or funky, printed jackets, or subtle prints on the arms or chest for a little added flair.

Durability
When we buy a wetsuit jacket, we expect it to last a few years and as such, we want one that is well-made so it can withstand the test of time. Some jackets are cheaply made and stretch out or get holes in them after one season, which is not what we’re looking for.

Warmth
Wetsuit jackets are a Goldilocks type of situation where we want them to be warm, but not too warm. We’re looking for something that’s just right. Most jackets are between 1mm and 2mm thick, so be sure and check the thickness and consider where you surf and how cold or hot you tend to run before purchasing.

What Else Should I Consider When Buying a Wetsuit Jacket?

Thickness

Most wetsuit jackets are 1 mm, 1.5 mm, or 2 mm thick. Thinner jackets tend to be more stretchy and comfortable, but you sacrifice some warmth. If your main concern is sun protection with a little bit of added warmth, then you’ll do well with a 1 mm. But, if you’re focused on warmth, you should probably opt for a 2 mm jacket. 1.5mm tends to be the most common thickness and is what you should opt for if you can’t decide.

Key Pockets/Loops

One of the perks of surfing in some sort of neoprene is that they often have a place to stash your key. We’re a big fan of jackets that have either a key loop or a small pocket where we can store my key while surfing (preferably in a location that doesn’t allow the key to dig in while you’re shredding).

Riding Up

We really like wetsuit jackets because they’re a lot easier to take on and off than full springsuits and you can easily unzip them if you get hot. But, we’ve found that a lot of them tend to curl up or ride up at the bottom and we find ourselves constantly pulling them down. To combat this, some come with loops on the bottom to secure to boardshorts (this is found more often on men’s jackets, though). In most cases, you just want to make sure the jacket fits snug through to the bottom of your stomach and you should be good to go.

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Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.