5 Best Spring Suits of 2024

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes warmer days and longer nights — perfect for hitting up your favorite beach break. But if you want to stay in the water without feeling cold or getting fried by the sun, having a good spring wetsuit will make all the difference. We've researched top-of-the-line wetsuits specifically designed to keep surfers warm during those chilly sessions, so we can easily show you the 5 best spring wetsuits of 2024. With these amazing suits at your disposal, you'll never have to battle another shivering session ever again.

Wetsuits Reviewed

Most flexible wetsuit: O'Neill Hyperfreak 2mm Spring Wetsuit - $244.95+

Best budget wetsuit: O’Neill Reactor II 2mm Spring Wetsuit - $109.95

Most lightweight wetsuit: Rip Curl E-Bomb Pro 2mm Spring Wetsuit - $199.95+

Best value wetsuit: Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 2mm Spring Wetsuit - $169.95+

Most eco-friendly wetsuit: Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite 2mm Spring Wetsuit - $159.00+

Industry Insights and Updates

• It’s no surprise that the O’Neill Hyperfreak spring suit is our best-seller year after year. The Technobutter neoprene is a game changer in terms of comfort, flexibility, and being lightweight.
• The all-new Patagonia Regulator features some key updates: recycled nylon replaces recycled polyester, seams were removed from high-stress areas, the exterior seam seal was removed, and the interior liner is warmer and more flexible. 
• The O’Neill Reactor II is also a widely popular choice with its low price point and a large assortment of colors and sizes, all backed by the O’Neill reputation and warranty.

O'Neill Hyperfreak -$244.95+

“Most flexible spring wetsuit”

Our Take: Our top seller for the past few years is a name associated with flexibility and comfort. The Hyperfreak is a suit that has proven itself to be popular and reliable for many reasons, mainly because it has the most flexible neoprene on the market that is extremely comfortable and ergonomic. The Hyperfreak’s core is constructed of TB3 Neoprene for added durability while maintaining a good amount of stretch. The arms and shoulders are constructed out of TB3X neoprene. This lighter neoprene allows for easier paddling, which can reduce shoulder fatigue and increase overall comfort as well.

The Hyperfreak is soft and comfortable and the least restrictive chest zip option of the spring suits out there. Finding a suit that allows for free unrestricted movement can improve your sessions tremendously by allowing more agility in your movements and increasing paddle speed and endurance. The Hyperfreak sports a chest zip entry to help minimize flushing and keep you warm. Available in both a long sleeve spring and a short sleeve long john option, finding a Hyperfreak for your specific needs has never been easier.

Read our full review here: O’Neill Hyperfreak Wetsuit Review

Shop by Model

O'Neill HyperFreak 2mm Long Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $244.95
O'Neill HyperFreak 2mm Short Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $289.95

O’Neill Reactor II - $109.95

"Best budget spring wetsuit”

Our Take: The Reactor II is our top choice for surfers shopping on a budget. Made by one of the most trusted brands in the Neoprene world, this “no BS” option packs some solid features for a great price. The suit is made with limestone-based neoprene, keeping it pliable and soft to the touch. The flexibility and soft materials help improve the feel and fit of the suit. The Reactor II has smooth skin panels on the chest and back, making it an excellent choice for windier locations because the smooth skin works as a great barrier that wind cannot pass through.

The Reactor II is constructed from durable neoprene that still feels very flexible and comfortable. Its seams are constructed with a durable and flexible flatlock stitch. The suit sports a super robust back zip entry that can make getting into and out of the suit a breeze compared to the chest zip suits in the category..

Shop by Model

O'Neill Reactor II 2mm Short Sleeve Back Zip Spring Wetsuit - $109.95

Rip Curl E-Bomb - $199.95+

“Most lightweight spring wetsuit”

Our Take: The Rip Curl E-Bomb is Rip Curl's most flexible and high-performing spring suit. A zip-free suit may be more challenging to get into for those who are new to wetsuits, but the benefit is a range of motion and freedom of movement that is unobtainable for zippered suits. Suits with a zipperless entry are made with larger neoprene panels, creating a more form-fitting and flexible suit.

The E-Bomb is constructed using Rip Curl’s E6 neoprene. E6 Neoprene has 20% more stretch and is 15% lighter than E5. Paired with the soft and comfortable Thermo lining, the suit stays warm and maintains flexibility throughout your sessions. The seams are internally taped to create a better seal. Available in short sleeves, long sleeves with short legs, or long legs with short sleeves, also known as a short john.

Read our full review here: Rip Curl E-Bomb Wetsuit Review

Shop by Model

Rip Curl E-Bomb Pro 2/2 Short Sleeve Zip Free Spring Wetsuit - $199.95
Rip Curl E-Bomb Pro 2/2 Long Sleeve Zip Free Spring Wetsuit - $229.95
Rip Curl E-Bomb 2/2 Short Sleeve Zip Free Wetsuit - $279.95

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol - $169.95+

“Best value spring wetsuit”

Our Take: The Dawn Patrol is a great option with its durability, budget price, and variety of styles. Rip Curl’s back zip and chest zip option, the Dawn Patrol, is constructed with soft and flexible E5 neoprene. The Dawn Patrol has E-Stitch seams that are 50% stretchier and 30% stronger than flatlock. This helps with increasing the longevity and comfort of the suit over its lifetime of use. This suit is a great option for those who get too warm in their spring suit because it does not have any liners within the suit.

The Dawn Patrol has glued and blind stitched seams that are complemented with spot taping in critical areas that help improve the durability of the suit. This suit comes in a long-sleeved and short-sleeved option. Both options are available in chest or back zip as well.

Read our full review here: Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Wetsuit

Shop by Model

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 2mm Short Sleeve Back Zip Spring Wetsuit - $169.95
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 2mm Short Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $179.95
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 2mm Long Sleeve Back Zip Spring Wetsuit - $179.95
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 2mm Long Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $189.95

Patagonia Yulex Regulator - $159.00+

“Most eco-friendly spring wetsuit”

Our Take: Patagonia has created its own niche within the wetsuit world, constructing neoprene-free suits out of Yulex. Yulex is a natural rubber that is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council certified plantations to avoid contributing to deforestation. By switching to natural rubber, the emissions per suit constructed can be reduced by nearly 80%. The Yulex construction has proven that a quality suit can be made using more eco-friendly methods and perform like a typical neoprene suit. The updated Regulator is very durable and will have great longevity. You can rest easy knowing that the excellent craftsmanship of Patagonia’s suits is all backed by their Iron Clad guarantee, meaning if your suit ever breaks down, you can get your suit repaired for free or for a fair price.

The Regulator comes in either a short sleeve, long sleeve version, or a sleeveless long-leg cut. The sleeveless option allows for an excellent range of motion, and can be paired with a jacket if a little more warmth is ever needed.

Read our full review here: Patagonia Yulex Regulator Wetsuit Review

Shop by Model

Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite 2mm Short Long John Spring Wetsuit - $159.00
Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite 2mm Long John Spring Wetsuit - $179.00
Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite 2mm Short Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $249.00
Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite 2mm Long Sleeve Chest Zip Spring Wetsuit - $269.00

Honorable Spring Wetsuit Mentions

Although the suits listed below didn’t make the final list, we still recommend them for various reasons, including their affordable price tag and the fact that they use similar materials to those in the suits included in the blog.

O’Neill O’Riginal Spring Wetsuit: The O’Riginal comes in four different variations: short/long sleeves, sleeveless, and short/long legs. In addition, the no-nonsense back zip design makes it an easy choice for a wide variety of body types and age levels. 

Rip Curl Omega Spring Wetsuit: For under $100, you can outfit yourself for summer or tropical surf in sizes ranging from Small to 3XL. The easy back zip entry and smooth skin paneling make the Omega an attractive spring suit option.

Final Thoughts

After considering the details we've shared here, we hope you have more clarity about what options are best for you. Spring suits keep you warm enough on those chilly dawn patrol mornings and provide UV protection in sunny climates. 

When it comes to choosing the right suit, make sure you consider your local conditions and what makes sense for the waves and water temperature where you surf. Who knows, with a great spring suit, you may be enjoying some longer sessions very soon. From the high-performance Hyperfreak to the affordable Reactor II, what's the best spring suit for your local surf break?

If you have any additional questions about any spring suits we carry, feel free to call our customer service team at 1-888-546-6176 or reach out via email at support@cleanlinesurf.com.

Sarah

Originally from the rolling hills of New Hampshire, Sarah now calls Oregon home. She started at Cleanline Surf in 2019 and, since then, has grown into the role of the Customer Service and Blog Manager. When she’s not at work helping dial in customers with surf gear, Sarah is happiest out adventuring. From mellow summer surf sessions to winter splitboard missions to ripping down her favorite mountain bike line, Sarah is always ready to go at the drop of a hat.