Billabong’s springsuits are the epitome of style and comfort. Photo: Jody Marcon//The Inertia

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The days are growing longer and the water is getting warmer, meaning it’s time to stash your winter suit and switch to a less obtrusive option. Springsuit wetsuits are typically more flexible, more comfortable, and come in a variety of different styles, so it’s easy to find a suit best suited to your needs. As more women find their way to surfing, the wetsuit options continue to expand and there are a number of springsuits designed specifically with lady sliders in mind. We took into consideration what makes a solid springsuit and set out to find the best women’s springsuits in the business.

Read on for our top picks, and for more information such as how we tested, check out our Buyer’s Guide and Comparison Table.

The Best Women’s Springsuits of 2024

Best Overall Springsuit: Billabong Spring Fever Long Sleeve Spring Suit
Best for Lots of Paddling: Roxy Rise Long Jane Springsuit
Best for Warmest Water: Xcel’s V Back Short Jane Springsuit
Best Eco Option: Patagonia R1 Front-Zip Long-Sleeve Springsuit
Warmest Springsuit: Manera’s Seafarer Bikini Wetsuit
Best Value Springsuit: O’Neill Bahia 2/1 Front-Zip Springsuit

Best Overall Springsuit

Billabong Spring Fever Long Sleeve Spring Suit ($150)

Pros: Sustainably made, flexible
Cons: Runs big

A performance-minded springsuit designed specifically for women, the Spring Fever suit sports a cheeky boy short cut and long-sleeve arms for added warmth. Created with the environment in mind, the 2mm suit is made from recycled Superlight neoprene—a mix of recycled car tires and neoprene scraps topped with a 100 % recycled Superflex jersey. Part of Billabong’s Surf Capsule collection, the Spring Fever comes in six different fun patterns that are sure to make a splash in the lineup.

At 2mm thick, the suit is plenty warm for spring and summer, the material is comfortable and flexible, and an internal key loop is included. In our experience, Billabong’s springsuits run a tad big so we’d suggest ordering a size down.

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Best for Lots of Paddling

1.5mm Roxy Rise Long Jane Springsuit ($200)

Pros: Zippered pocket, mock neck
Cons: Doesn’t keep your arms warm

Marrying flexibility with warmth, the Roxy Rise Long Jane Springsuit keeps your legs and core warm while providing plenty of paddling freedom. Made from recycled polyester elastane blend fabric, the Rise Long Jane is warm without compromising stretch and comfort. The front zip makes it easy to get the suit on and the mock neck provides extra sun protection.

The Flush Lock 2.0 stretch seals help prevent flushing through the shoulders and ankles, and the padding on the knees provides extra protection where you need it. The suit has a zippered back pocket for stashing keys or wax. Although this suit doesn’t keep your arms warm, it provides enough warmth and flexibility to get you comfortably through those spring and summer days. Long Jane wetsuits are often a top-pick for longboard surfers in sub-tropical summers as the upper-half of your body stays out of the water for the most part when longboarding, and the lack of arms makes for effortless paddles back to the lineup after long, glide-y waves.

Best For Warmest Water

Xcel V Back Short Jane Springsuit ($90)

Pros: Eco-friendly limestone, flexible
Cons: Runs a little small

Xcel’s V Back Short Jane Springsuit is the perfect suit for when you need maximum comfort with a little extra warmth. This suit is made from eco-friendly limestone neoprene that offers 100% high performance stretch. The tank V-back design and subtle print make for a fun aesthetic and with no sleeves and no legs, this suit is super flexible and comfortable.

Our tester lives on Oahu, and this suit has quickly become her go-to for days when the wind is up and she wants to keep her core warm. The suit feels like a second skin and is oh-so-comfortable. This suit runs a little small so you may want to size up if you’re in between sizes.

Best Eco Option

Patagonia R1 Front-Zip Long-Sleeve Spring Suit ($269)

Pros: Sustainably made, warm
Cons: Pricey

Whenever we purchase a garment from Patagonia we know it’s going to fit well, be sustainably made, and withstand the test of time. The Patagonia R1 Front-Zip Long-Sleeve Springsuit is no exception. If you’re looking for a little more warmth with Patagonia’s attention to detail, this one fits the bill. The suit fits like a glove, is stretchy, incredibly warm, and delivers the comfort you need for long days on the water.

Warmest Springsuit

Manera Seafarer Bikini Wetsuit ($205)

Pros: Warm, durable
Cons: Pricey

Manera’s Seafarer offers everything you need in a good springsuit: warmth, comfort, and durability. At 3/2 mm thick, the Seafarer is essentially a fullsuit with the legs cut off, so it runs warmer than most springsuits while remaining plenty comfortable.

To top it off, the suit is well made and will no doubt last for years to come. The Seafarer suit sports a sleek design and a chest-zip entry to ensure maximum warmth. The suit fits like a glove and is simple yet flattering.

Best Value Springsuit

O’Neill Bahia 2/1 Front-Zip Springsuit ($129)

Pros: Buttery soft, front zip for easy entry
Cons: Not as durable as some other suits

For those who aren’t fans of the back zip, check out the Bahia Front Zip. Available in multiple color options, the Bahia suit looks good while remaining a high-performance suit.

The suit features a full-length front zip entry, strategically placed and flatlock-stitched breathable seams, and stretchy neoprene, the combination of which makes for a comfortable and warm wetsuit. The suit is easy to put on, feels buttery soft against the skin, and keeps you warm on chilly spring mornings – it’s a winner.

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Best of the Rest

Patagonia Yulex Regulator Lite Spring Jane ($139)

Pros: Sustainable Yulex rubber, built-in key loop
Cons: Basic design

Ringing in at 2mm thick, the Spring Jane offers maximum flex for warm-water sessions. Fair Trade Certified sewn, the suit is made from 85 percent Yulex natural rubber that comes from sources that are Forest Stewardship Council certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

The suit features a form-fitting design with a step-in entry, internal key loop, and racerback detailing. Out of the box, the suit looked pretty basic but on it is flattering, has a classic, retro look, and is effortlessly comfortable.

Finisterre Women’s Nieuwland 2e Yulex Swimsuit ($175)

Pros: Sustainable, racerback design
Cons: Can rub under the arm

The Finisterre Women’s Nieuwland 2e Yulex Swimsuit is like a blend between a swimsuit and a wetsuit. The suit sports a one-piece swimsuit style cut, with 2 mm of neoprene throughout. The front-zip entry makes the suit easy to get on and off, and the racerback cut allows a full range of motion while paddling and shredding. Our tester did experience some chafing under her arms, but she is prone to this. The suit is make from Yulex natural rubber that is both sustainable and warm. We’re big fans of the colorway and having a cool suit to slide into when it’s just a tad chilly out.

Volcom Modulator 2 mm Long Sleeve Chest Zip Wetsuit ($210)

Pros: Minimal flushing, warm
Cons: Chest zip entry takes more work to put on

Worn by the Queen of Pipe Moana Jones Wong, you know the Volcom Modulator is a worthy suit. Featuring bright, bold colors, the 2mm wetsuit is warm and functional. This suit is designed similar to a full wetsuit, just without the legs. The chest zip entry and elastic drawcord shoulder may take a little more work to get on, but the suit has minimal flushing and is toasty warm.

The glide skin collar, liquid seal wrist grippers, and rolled edge glide skin work to further minimize flushing. If you want a suit that’s moderately warm, the Modulator might not be it because for a springsuit, this suit is toasty. The blend of nylon and spandex ensure that the suit is comfortable and flexible for paddling and shredding.

Seea Sydney 2mm Yulex Long Jane ($275)

Pros: Retro look, low-arm opening to reduce chafing
Cons: Pricey

The Sydney suit’s timeless retro vibes combined with modern wetsuit technology make it a worthy warmer-weather option. Made from two-mm, natural rubber, the long legs and sleeveless upper body provide the necessary warmth to keep your core warm while keeping your arms free.

The suit features a Velcro and snap-button closure for easy entry, low-arm opening to reduce chafing, and extra padding on the knees for comfort while knee paddling. Although the price is a little steep, the suit offers a flattering fit and has everything you could want in a Long Jane style springsuit.

Ripcurl Revival G-Bomb Long Sleeve Surfsuit ($130)

Pros: Flexible, feels like a second skin
Cons: Runs small

Sporting retro vibes, Ripcurl’s Surf Revival G-Bomb Springsuit delivers style and comfort. At one mm thick, the suit is flexible and comfortable and provides essential added warmth for when the wind picks up or the water cools down. Made from 100% E5 neoprene, the suits features E-stitch stretch seams, a back-zip entry, and a cheeky cut. The Surf Revival suit is lightweight and comfortable and feels like a second skin, making it perfect for summer sessions.

Best Women’s Springsuits Comparison Table

How We Tested The Best Women’s Springsuits

Our lead tester lives on Oahu in Hawaii where the weather and the water are warm year round. However, water temperatures do get a little chilly in the winter, making a springsuit a much appreciated piece of gear. Additionally, Oahu is often windy, and that wind chill is real. Our tester is a self-proclaimed cold water wimp, so she usually wears some sort of springsuit from fall to spring.

To test out these springsuits, we mostly wore them surfing but also took some of them free diving as well. We considered how they felt while surfing, how they looked, and how warm they kept us while out in the water.

Testing springsuits on Oahu. Photo: Caleb Heikes//The Inertia

Best Women’s Springsuits Ratings Table

Surf check in a long sleeve springsuit. Photo: Jody Marcon//The Inertia

Best Women’s Springsuits Buyer’s Guide

Types of Springsuits

Long-Sleeve Springsuits

As the name suggests, long-sleeve springsuits have long sleeves and short legs. The cut of the legs is typically either bikini cut, which is cheekier, or booty cut, which is like mini shorts on the bottom. Functionally, they both perform about the same so it comes down to your style preference.

Getting ready to surf in Hawaii in a short jane style springsuit. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Long Jane

Long Jane springsuits are the opposite of long-sleeve springsuits. They have full length legs and no arms. The top of the suit is tank top style, allowing full range of motion for paddling and surfing.

Short Jane

A Short Jane springsuit has no arms and no legs, making it the least warm springsuit option. Short Jane suits have a tank top style cut on top and a bikini cut on the legs. They are good for when you want to keep your core warm but not much else.

What Makes a Good Springsuit?

Unlike a fullsuit, springsuits aren’t designed to keep you warm in frigid temperatures — they simply offer sun protection and an added layer for a little extra comfort when the water is a tad chilly. Our top criteria when selecting a suit are durability, comfort/flexibility, cost, and of course, style.

Durability

Although springsuits are significantly cheaper than fullsuits, they still don’t come cheap and as such, we want a suit that will last us multiple seasons. In the summer, we typically only wear a springsuit during dawn patrol sessions or when it’s windy, so we expect the suit to last even longer than our full. Of course, how well you take care of your suit is also going to affect its lifespan, so be sure and rinse with freshwater and hang to dry (in the shade!) between sessions.

Some springsuits have chest zip entries while others have front zips or back zips. Photo: Caleb Heikes//The Inertia

Comfort/Flexibility

The idea of springsuit season is what powers us through the cold, unfortunate days of struggling into a stiff 4/3. In our opinion, springsuits are meant to be comfortable and flexible and should feel like a second skin, allowing you to move with ease. If the suit isn’t comfortable, there’s no point and we certainly won’t be buying it.

Best Overall Springsuit

The Billabong Spring Fever Long Sleeve Spring Suit has everything you could want in a women’s spinguit. At two millimeters (mm) thick, the suit is plenty warm for spring and summer, the eco-friendly material is comfortable and flexible, and the patterns are bright and fun.

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Style

For one reason or another, there is much more variety available for springsuits than fullsuits. There are different cuts, colors, and patterns, so it’s really an opportunity to express yourself. Although it isn’t essential to performance, we’re all about style when it comes to springsuits.

Stylish yet comfortable springsuits are what we’re after. Photo: Jody Marcon//The Inertia

What Else Should I Look for in a Springsuit?

Cost

Since advanced technology to keep you warm isn’t as necessary in a springsuit, we prefer to not spend as much. Our goal is to find a suit that’s available in our desired style, comes in a fun print, and isn’t too pricey. However, there are some eco-friendly options out there now that come at a higher price point and it can be worth shelling out a few extra bucks in the name of the environment.

Key Pocket

Car break-ins are common, so we really want a suit that has a place to stash a key. When we’re in the market for a new springsuit, we look for a suit that has a key pocket or some sort of key loop so we can keep our key on our person as opposed to in our car’s wheel well.

The Billabong Spring Fever Long Sleeve Spring Suit was our top pick springsuit. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia

Zippers

Zippers and buttons are important to consider when buying a springsuit. Typically, you’re safe with a back zip, but if the suit sports a front zipper, you’ll want to make sure it’s positioned in a way that’s not going to dig into you while paddling. We’ve wound up with some pretty significant bruises due to poorly placed buttons and zippers, so it’s definitely something we look for nowadays.

Thickness

Depending on the water temperature where you’re surfing and how warm or cold you run, you’ll want different thickness. Most springsuits are one or two millimeters thick. Obviously a two-mm suit is going to be thicker than a one-mm suit. Take a look at the thickness of the springsuit, the water temperature where you’ll be surfing, and the recommend temps for each springsuit to decide which thickness to buy.

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Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. Need a full suit? Read We Reviewed the Best Women’s Wetsuit of 2024. Want a simple jacket? Check out The Best Women’s Wetsuit Jackets of 2024. Is the water warm enough to trunk it? Head to The Best Women’s Swimsuits for Surfing.