There is nothing more frustrating than shivering through a set because your neoprene is too thin or being so restricted by bulk that your paddle out feels like a gym session. 

South Africa’s coastline has massive temperature variances, ranging from 9°C in the Atlantic to 25°C in the Indian Ocean. Understanding the balance between warmth and mobility is the secret to scoring awesome sessions all year round.

In this post, Coral Wetsuits discusses wetsuit thickness and provides an overview of neoprene depths. 

The Secret Code on Your Sleeve

Look at your sleeve, and you’ll see numbers like 3/2 or 4/3. These represent the neoprene thickness in millimetres across different parts of the suit. The first number always refers to the core, providing essential thermal protection for your heart and lungs. 

The subsequent numbers represent the extremities, ensuring you stay warm without sacrificing the agility needed to handle our cold waters.

Keep Your Core Warm

Your torso is the priority because the core plays the most vital role in overall body heat maintenance. By keeping the middle of the suit thicker, your heart can pump effectively even in a biting Atlantic swell. 

Thinner neoprene on the limbs is specifically designed for maximum paddle power and trunk rotation during turns. Keep in mind that shorties usually feature a uniform 2mm thickness rather than a tiered system.

The Definitive Temperature-to-Thickness Guide

While many Saffas choose suits based on the month, the most accurate method is to look at the water temperature alone. 

Use the following guide to ensure you have the right protection for the specific coastal conditions you are facing.

The Wind and Sport Factor

Water temperature is only half the story when deciding how many millimetres to wear. Wind chill and your specific activity type radically change how your body perceives the cold. 

A surfer is immersed most of the time and might want a thicker suit even if the air is mild. Conversely, a windsurfer remains mostly above the water and is far more susceptible to the freezing south-easterly winds.

The Winter Survival Kit

When the temperatures drop to 11°C and below, a standard full suit is no longer sufficient. For those icy West Coast mornings, you will need to add a surf cap to prevent massive heat loss through your head. 

Thickness means absolutely nothing if the suit does not fit your body perfectly. An ill-fitting suit allows cold water to flush through the neck and zips, rendering the neoprene useless. We can tailor your wetsuit to ensure it’s a perfect fit. 

Coral Wetsuits: The Perfect Fit

To ensure year-round ocean access, build a wetsuit arsenal that handles everything from Durban to the Atlantic. For high-performance gear with local expertise, choose Coral Wetsuits: the definitive choice for South African conditions.

Choose a wetsuit that’ll last a lifetime. Visit our shop in Salt River, Cape Town, to see our range.