Best Affordable Hooded Wetsuits for 2024
Finishing 2024’s round-up of the best-hooded wetsuits, we enter the affordable price tier. The suits on this list are some of the best for value currently available. Affordable suits don’t have all of the premium features of $500+ suits, but they pack in enough tech and rubber to keep you warm and comfortable in our frigid waters. Whether you're an avid surfer or just learning, exploring the best affordable options of this year will help you gear up for your next surf session without sacrificing quality or budget.
Wetsuits Reviewed
- Vissla Seven Seas 5/4/3 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $349.95
- Buell RB2 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $315.95
- Quiksilver Everyday Sessions 5/4/3 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $329.95
- Billabong Absolute Natural+ Upcycler 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $339.95
- Volcom Modulator 5/4/3 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $345.00
- Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $319.95
- Xcel Axis 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $314.95
Now, here are the six best affordable hooded wetsuits for 2024.
Vissla Seven Seas - $349.95
Starting off our list, we have the Vissla Seven Seas. Completely redesigned in 2022, this suit features some of Vissla’s best tech. Namely, the 100% limestone-based neoprene that gives this wetsuit a premium buttery feeling. After spending some time in a limestone-based suit, you really begin to notice a difference in flex and comfort. Vissla chose to ax the smooth skin on the suit's chest and just include one panel on the back. They also chose not to use an exterior seam weld to save on weight and price. This results in a much easier-to-repair suit that is a bit longer-lasting.
Vissla didn’t skimp on their interior seams as they are glued, triple-blind stitched, and fully taped. Their incredibly soft and hard-working interior liner, Fever Fiber, also makes an appearance in the core and ends just above the knees. The legs of the suit are finished with their Eco Fiber liner. There’s even a strip of Eco Fiber in the hood to help prevent ice-cream headaches. This suit is jam-packed full of higher-end features and is one of the better buys on this list.
For a more in-depth review of the hooded Vissla Seven Seas Wetsuit, check out our full review.
Highlights & Features
- Incredible value
- Durable Triple Glued Seams
- Environmentally-friendly materials
Buell RB2 5/4 - $315.95
Still a relatively newer brand out of Northern California, Buell has been a consistent favorite here in the PNW. One of the best things about the RB2 is how simple it is. With some colorful shoulder panel options, this suit is one of their most discreet and unassuming. However, it is jam-packed with features to keep you warm and happy on the coldest of days. The suit features limestone-based neoprene; Buell calls it Ninja Neoprene, which is less water permeable and more environmentally friendly. It is buttery to the touch and dries pretty darn quickly compared to its petroleum counterpart.
The interior seams are triple glued, blindstitched, and include critical taping. You’ll notice the exterior seams are welded with Buell’s Sizzle seal to ensure a water-tight wetsuit. A plush internal thermal barrier liner is also present in the core and extends to just above the knee pads. All of the features in the RB2 create an incredibly warm and durable wetsuit at a great price point. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t. There’s a reason folks in this corner of the world have been wearing RB2s since they first dropped. 2024 is a great year to pick one of these bad boys up.
For a more in-depth look at this suit, check out our full review of the Buell RB2 Wetsuit.
Highlights & Features
- Simple yet rugged suit
- Ninja Limestone Neoprene
- Complete exterior Sizzle seam weld
- Solid Interior Liner
- Happy Faces on the kneepads
Quiksilver Everyday Sessions - $329.95
“Striking Quality”
Quiksilver has been designing wetsuits for years and has been producing surprisingly high-performing hooded suits for the price. We covered the Marathon Sessions in the mid-range wetsuit guide, and the Everyday Sessions make an appearance in this one. The Everyday Sessions is the lighter, more flexible, and cheaper suit made with performance features in mind. It’s one of two 5/4/3s on this list, and that little bit of 3mm neoprene makes this suit feel stretchier and more comfortable than a true 5/4 or a 5.5/4.5. In thicker hooded wetties, every bit of weight reduction helps.
Starting with the seam construction of the Everyday Sessions: they are triple blindstitched, glued, and spot taped. The Everyday Sessions only has smooth skin in the hood, which greatly reduces the weight as compared to the Marathon Sessions. Instead of a liner just in the core, Quik decided to put their WarmFlight Eco Velvet thermo liner throughout the entire suit. It’s incredibly comfy and does a great job of keeping you toasty warm during cold sessions. This suit is excellent if you’re a fan of their gear and looking for extra stretch and comfort in the water.
Take a look at our full review of the Quiksilver Everyday Sessions Wetsuit.
Highlights & Features
- Quality StretchFlight eco-neoprene
- Comfy liner throughout the entire suit
- Great features for the price
Billabong Absolute Natural+ Upcycler - $339.95
“Sustainable High Performance”
The Billabong Absolute Natural+ Upcycler is a great entry-level wetsuit created with sustainable materials such as Graphene and Natural Rubber. Merging a balance of flexibility, warmth, and durability, the Billabong Absolute Natural could easily be considered the best eco-friendly high-performing wetsuit on the market. Billabong cares for our oceans and strives to be the leader in the innovation of sustainable practices. As a neoprene-free wetsuit, the Absolute Natural+ Upcycler is already one of the Greenest on the market. Natural rubber pairs well with the graphene liner made from recycled car tires.
This feature-rich wetsuit also includes a flexible YKK extended zipper and exterior liquid-welded seams for ease of entry and long-lasting durability. To tell you the truth, this might be my next wetsuit due to the sustainable properties and high-end material. I’m eager to test the boundaries of the wetsuit while feeling good about limiting pollution in our atmosphere. Oceans are warming, and ecosystems are deteriorating, which is why I have the utmost respect for Billabong as a company.
Highlights & Features
- Sustainable Curation
- Award-winning Graphene Liner
- Incredibly warm for the price tag
- Flexible Silicon Stretch Fabric
Volcom Modulator - $345.00
“Staff Favorite”
Newcomers on the scene, Volcom released their first line of wetsuits in 2022. When we got our hands on them for testing, they quickly became a staff favorite, and we are seeing them in our local lineups. The hooded Modulator is a tough and simple suit that has everything you need and nothing you don't. The interior seams are glued, triple blindstitched, and fully taped. Following the trend, there is no smooth skin or exterior seam weld anywhere on this suit. As stated before, this makes it more durable and easier to repair as compared to suits with smooth skin.
The Modulator immediately stands out with how buttery and premium the rubber feels. Volcom chose to go with a 100% limestone-based neoprene construction. The elongation, flexibility, and insulation characteristics of limestone neoprene are the same or better than its predecessor, petroleum-based neoprene, but are way less harmful to the environment. This makes limestone neoprene one of the most flexible and warm neoprene types out there. With all of these premium features crammed into a more affordable suit, it is an easy recommendation for any cold water surfer.
For a more in-depth look, check out our full review of the Volcom Modulator Wetsuit.
Highlights & Features
- Staff favorite
- A great balance of warmth and flexibility
- Extra-buttery limestone neoprene
- Stoney Vibes
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol - $319.95
“Long Lasting Reputation”
The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol has a long-lasting reputation. Due to its universal fit and durable properties, we used to have this wetsuit in our rental fleet. The only reason it isn’t still on our rental fleet is because of the collaboration we have with Billabong. I’m glad we still sell the Dawn Patrol, and I often recommend it to customers. The included features to value make the Dawn Patrol well worth the price.
The wetsuit is exceptionally warm and flexible, made of E5 neoprene and E5 flashlining. Flashlining, Rip Curl’s signature lining, is a sought-after material that revolutionized the surf industry. My favorite aspect of flashlining is how fast it dries after a session. Having a dry wetsuit to get into can sometimes be the determining factor on whether to go out for a second session or not. Along with Flashlining, Rip Curl included Yulex @ natural rubber and a recycled external jersey, which makes the Dawn Patrol a great sustainable option.
Highlights & Features
- E5 Durable Stress Tape
- Warm E4 Lining
- Sustainable Materials
- Flexible
Xcel Axis - $314.95
“Elevated Entry Level”
The Xcel Axis is a great option for the surfer looking for enhanced warmth and comfort. Xcel created the Axis model with elevated features to maximize the performance of their entry-level wetsuit. The smooth skin panels located on the front and back of the wetsuit add additional warmth by preventing wind from entering the suit. The smooth skin panels also provide a nice grip for less unnecessary paddling movement. While paddling through a critical break, it is nice to know that you will be securely set on the sweet spot of your board, which, in return, conserves your energy.
Thermolite IR is an infrared-infused fiber that enhances the wetsuit's overall performance through warmth, flexibility, and drying time. It is infused in the front and back panels on the inside of the Axis. With a Semi-dry zipper system and fusion X seam tape, the Axis keeps you drier for longer and is exceptionally durable.
Highlights & Features
- Warm Thermolite IR Tech
- Comfortable Lining
- Easy Entry and Exit
- Durable Taped Stress Points
Relevant Blogs We’ve Written
- Surf Wetsuit Hood Guide
- Surf Wetsuit Glove Guide
- 6 Best Mid-Range Hooded Wetsuits for 2024
- 5 Best High-End Hooded Wetsuits for 2024
Final Thoughts
In summary, the best affordable 5/4 hooded wetsuits of 2024 prove that you don't have to break the bank to stay warm and protected in colder waters. This year's top budget-friendly options deliver impressive warmth, durability, and flexibility without compromising any essential features. By prioritizing value and performance, these wetsuits offer excellent functionality for those who want to enjoy their time in the water while keeping costs in check. If you’re looking to purchase your first suit or find something cheaper and more lightweight, there are plenty of options. This list compiles all of Cleanline’s best affordable hooded wetsuits for 2024.
We believe there is a wetsuit out there for every person and every budget. We’ll see you in the water: cheers
If you have any questions about these or any other suits, feel free to give us a shout at support@cleanlinesurf.com, leave a comment, or call us at 1-888-546-6176.
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