So you're about to purchase a wetsuit and you're not sure which thickness is right for Australian water temperatures. The right thickness depends on where in Australia you're surfing and what time of year.
If you're surfing up in QLD during summer then you won't need anything more than a thin 1.5mm wetsuit top. However, down in Tasmania in the winter months the water temperature can drop as low as 11°C (54°F), in which case you'll need a 4/3mm steamer plus booties at minimum, and a 5/4mm on the coldest days.
What do the numbers mean in a wetsuit thickness (e.g. 3/2)?
The 1st number is the thickness of the neoprene around your chest and torso.
The 2nd number is the thickness of the neoprene around your arms and legs.
Example: 3/2 is 3mm around the chest and 2mm around the arms & legs.
Which Wetsuit Thickness is Best for Australia?
Sydney, NSW:
Summer (Dec-Feb):
Water Temperature: 23°C (74°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Autumn (Mar-May):
Water Temperature: 22°C (72°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top or Springsuit
Winter (Jun-Aug):
Water Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Spring (Sep-Nov):
Water Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Gold Coast, QLD:
Summer (Dec-Feb):
Water Temperature: 26°C (79°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Autumn (Mar-May):
Water Temperature: 25°C (78°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Winter (Jun-Aug):
Water Temperature: 22°C (72°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm or 2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top or Springsuit
Spring (Sep-Nov):
Water Temperature: 23°C (74°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Bells Beach, VIC:
Summer (Dec-Feb):
Water Temperature: 18°C (64°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Autumn (Mar-May):
Water Temperature: 17°C (63°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Winter (Jun-Aug):
Water Temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 4/3mm PLUS booties
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Spring (Sep-Nov):
Water Temperature: 14°C (57°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 4/3mm PLUS booties
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Hobart, TAS:
Summer (Dec-Feb):
Water Temperature: 16°C (61°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Autumn (Mar-May):
Water Temperature: 15°C (60°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm or 4/3mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Winter (Jun-Aug):
Water Temperature: 13°C (56°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 4/3mm PLUS booties
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Spring (Sep-Nov):
Water Temperature: 13°C (56°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 4/3mm PLUS booties
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
Perth, WA:
Summer (Dec-Feb):
Water Temperature: 22°C (71°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Autumn (Mar-May):
Water Temperature: 23°C (73°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top
Winter (Jun-Aug):
Water Temperature: 20°C (68°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 1.5mm or 2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Wetsuit Top or Springsuit
Spring (Sep-Nov):
Water Temperature: 19°C (67°F)
Best Wetsuit Thickness: 3/2mm
Best Wetsuit Type: Steamer (Full Length Wetsuit)
