3/2, 4/3, 5/4 — what to wear in NJ water month-by-month, from Belmar summer to Manasquan winter.
NJ water swings from 75°F in August to 38°F in February. The wetsuit you wear for Belmar summer is wrong for a Manasquan winter session. Here's how to choose by month, fit, and seam construction.
Tested across NJ surfing seasons — Belmar 8th Ave summer mornings, Manasquan jetty winter sessions, Spring Lake glassy fall days. The right thickness saves a session; the wrong one ends it.
June–Sept: 3/2mm. Oct + April–May: 4/3mm. Nov–March: 5/4mm with hood. Springsuit (2mm short) for August only.
Flatlock = summer only. Glued-and-blind-stitched (GBS) = shoulder seasons. Sealed/taped = winter must.
Back zip = easier to get into, more flush. Chest zip = warmer, less flush. Zipperless = warmest but pricey.
Snug everywhere, no gaps at neck or wrists, no bunching at lower back. Wetsuits stretch when wet — buy slightly tight.
Limestone neoprene > petroleum. More expensive but lasts longer and stretches better. O'Neill, Rip Curl, Xcel are reliable.
Hood (3mm) for water under 50°F. Booties (5mm) for jetty rocks. Gloves (3-5mm) for winter sessions only.
| Water Temp | Months | Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65°F+ | July–Sept | 3/2mm or springsuit | Comfort priority |
| 55–65°F | May–June, Oct | 4/3mm sealed | Shoulder season |
| 45–55°F | April, Nov | 4/3mm + hood | Hood optional |
| 38–45°F | Dec–March | 5/4mm hooded | Booties + gloves required |
Each pick is one we'd actually grab. Tap through to Amazon for current pricing.
O'NEILL
O'Neill Reactor 3/2 — the daily-driver June-September suit. Flatlock seams, back zip, full coverage without overheating in 70°F water.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Belmar 8th Ave summer dawn patrol
Hevto
O'Neill Hyperfreak 4/3 — sealed seams, chest zip, perfect for April-May and October when the lineup empties out.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Cape May Cove October session
O'Neill
O'Neill Psycho One 5/4 hooded — winter-grade taped seams, attached hood. The suit that keeps you in the lineup December-February.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Manasquan jetty 40°F winter swell
Ho Stevie!
O'Neill Reactor 2mm Springsuit — short arm, short leg, mid-summer August suit. Perfect when 3/2 is too warm but trunks are too cold.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Mid-August Long Branch warm-water session
O'NEILL
O'Neill 3mm Surf Hood — extends your suit's range by a month on either end. Pair with 5mm booties for the jetty rock walks.
Tested on the Jersey Shore — Pre-dawn IBSP November sessions
NJ surf shops (Inlet Outlet, Manasquan; Brave New World, Asbury) let you try suits on. Online is cheaper but fit varies wildly between brands and years.
Yes, surfers pee in their suits. It's warm for 30 seconds and then ruins the neoprene long-term. Rinse the suit thoroughly with cold fresh water after every session — extends life 2-3x.
A separate dry bag for your wax + leash + booties keeps the wetsuit smell out of your trunk. Trust us on this.
Hang on a wide hanger (not folded) in a cool dark place. Don't leave in the trunk all summer — heat destroys the seams.
Seasonal deals on the gear we test on the shore.
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4/3mm sealed seams. Water is typically 58-62°F. A 3/2 is too thin; a 5/4 is overkill. Add a hood if you tend to run cold or you're paddling out before sunrise.
For year-round surfers, yes. Premium suits ($300-500) use better neoprene that stretches more, holds heat longer, and lasts 3-5 seasons. Budget suits ($80-150) are fine for occasional summer sessions.
Snug everywhere with no gaps at the neck, wrists, or ankles. You should feel restricted standing on land — wetsuits stretch when wet. If you can pinch more than a finger of slack at your back, size down.
2-5 years for occasional use; 1-2 seasons for daily surfers. Signs of failure: tears at high-stress points (shoulders, knees), seams separating, neoprene losing flex. Salt and UV are the enemies.
Beginners and casual surfers: back zip. Easier to get on/off, more flush available. Advanced surfers in cold water: chest zip. Less water flush, more flexibility, slightly warmer overall.
Soft-top vs funboard vs mini-mal for NJ summer waves.
Read more →Starter kitBoard, leash, wax, suit — everything for your first session.
Read more →Starter kit5/4mm essentials and the gear that keeps the lineup year-round.
Read more →CategoryBrowse NJ-friendly surf gear by category.
Read more →GuideRinse, dry, store — how to make your suit last 5 years.
Read more →BeachesOne of the cleanest NJ summer surf breaks.
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