Down in Southern California, a 3/2 is often the suit of choice, with all but the hardiest of surfers switching over to a 4/3 come fall/winter.

For the benefit of hardcore stats nerds out there, I also took note of the weight of each suit, wetsuit fit, additional features, and sustainable manufacturing. THE DETAILS: Super-stretch Limestone Neoprene – Derived from limestone, Nyord’s super-stretch neoprene delivers great flexibility and reduces our reliance on oil by replacing traditional petroleum-based neoprene. The suit is super light, so if you’re looking for a high-performance 4/3 and don’t want the extra stretch in a suit like the Quiksilver Highline, this could be a great choice. When they launched in 2014, O'Neill's Hyperfreak wetsuits quickly gained a reputation for unparalleled levels of flexibility and warmth but a life span that was much shorter than conventional wetsuits. It’s a petrochemical-derived fabric, is non-biodegradable, and tons of it gets thrown away every year – Finisterre estimates around 419 tons of neoprene is dumped annually in the UK alone.

We aim to make a positive impact on our planet through partnerships with nonprofits working hard to preserve earth’s sacred places.

We’ve put together this super simple guide to walk you through each range and take the guesswork out of finding the right one for you. The welded seams have stayed completely watertight, the neoprene has lost the new-suit stretch but still feels great once you hit the water, and it looks like this year’s lineup from Dakine has an even warmer lining. But a good suit will stop 'flushing', or the scenario when new (and bloody cold) water enters the suit on a regular basis, which is the thing you really want to avoid. Perfect for you if: You’re a regular surfer who needs a wetsuit you can wear mid-spring all the way through to autumn.The super-stretchy limestone neoprene, combined with our warmest internal lining from chest to knee, provides great insulation without restricting movement. After each use, make sure to rinse your wetsuit with fresh water, and hang it to dry (check out our guide to the best wetsuit hangers) in the shade. This wetsuit is a crossover steamer/high-performance suit, with steamer level warmth and the stretch (but not the lightness) of a high-performance suit.