How to Choose the Right Size Wetsuit

Your new Buell wetsuit should feel like a 2nd skin. Like it's part of your body. Obviously a wetsuit should fit tight. The only question is tight, or tiiiiiggght? 

Quick answer? If you are between two wetsuit sizes on the size chart below, decide if warmth or ease-of-entry is more important to you.

For warmth go with the smaller size.

To make it easy to get into, go with the larger size.

A good fit includes:

• No bunching or "rolls" in the back, behind the knees, or in the elbows
• No gaps around the neck
• No "balloons" of water around the lower leg when you get out of the surf

You will always stay warmer in a thicker, tighter wetsuit. For example, our RB2 full suit at 5MM thick, with a slant zip entry, is designed to stop water flushes in extreme conditions. You may be getting smashed by the 29th wave of a Mid-Winter-Vic set, but you’ll still be warm. 

Here’s the rub: There's a bit of a learning curve when it comes to getting into a suit like this. Minor contortionist skills and strong arms will help too. Everything that makes this suit super-warm: sealed seams, thick neoprene, small entry, all make it harder to get into. It’’s not impossible to don, it just takes a bit more work.

If you’re surfing in warmer waters like The Gold Coast, maybe you don't surf too often, and you are not as flexible as you used to be, a wetsuit like the 2MM RBZ Stealth Mode with a back zipper may be perfect. With practice you can get into a looser-fitting 2MM in under 30 seconds. Suits like these are awesome for some extra warmth, sun protection, and an added layer between you and the wax.

Little kids don’t feel the cold. Buy the bigger size. After you just spent 20 minutes looking for a parking spot, the last thing you want to do is struggle with getting their wetsuit on. They’ll be stoked on the looser suit while they charge around the shore break and dig in the sand. You really just want to keep the sun off of them and have a bit of padding for when they eat it on their skim board.

Once your kids are bigger and are ripping properly, give their old suit to their younger sibling and get them into a suit that fits tight and right.