With its soft neoprene construction, Flatrock’s Bronte is arguably the most comfortable wetsuit top that money can buy. Years in the making, it’s crafted by hand and purpose-built for surfing. That ultraflex neoprene delivers such a natural fit that you might forget you’re wearing a long-sleeve wetsuit shirt altogether. At this price point, it doesn’t get any better.

O’Neill’s Hyperfreak is the stuff of legend and with good reason. Offering seamless mobility and no shortage of comfort, the wetsuit top combines lightweight pre-stretched TB3-X neoprene with hydrophobic super-stretch TB3 neoprene. To quote the brand: “You’d swear you were surfing naked.”

Being one of the best names in the surf game, it’s no surprise that Rip Curl offers the best all-around long-sleeve wetsuit jacket. Dubbed the E-Bomb, it’s crafted from the brand’s most flexible and high-performance neoprene to date. A handy pull cord waist and boardshort loop enable easy adjustments, keeping the jacket intact when the going gets rough. Sealing the deal are glued and blindstitched seams. While you’re digging around Rip Curl’s store, be sure to check out their sleeveless surf vests, full-body wetsuits, and other gear and apparel. The brand can do no wrong!

Want some bang for your buck? Look no further than this 2mm wetsuit jacket from Need Essentials, which delivers tremendous value. Tested in cool conditions, it’s best worn in water that ranges from 20° to 26°celsius (68° to 78° Fahrenheit). Slip it on and behold the power of its limestone neoprene and flatlocked seam construction. Bring in some quality boardshorts and you’re ready to roll.

Featuring hand-drawn designs from pro surfer Mikey Wright, this popular wetsuit top combines premium performance with signature style. At the heart of its Deluxe Rubber construction is F’N Lite neoprene, which is equal parts light, flexible, and quick to dry. It’s also the only rubber that Mikey himself takes out onto the waves. Pair that with the brilliant aesthetic and you get the best of all worlds.

It’s not hyperbolic to say that most surfers share a unique bond with the planet and its natural resources. After all, without healthy air and clean water, outdoor sports like surfing might cease to exist altogether. Where are we going with this, you ask? To the R1 Lite Yulex Long Sleeve Top. While somewhat overpriced and uncomfortable, it’s Fair Trade Certified sewn, made of 85% renewable natural rubber, and lined with 100% recycled polyester. A quintessential Patagonia wetsuit top, this one is better for the environment than standard or even superior counterparts. For a number of modern surfers, that’s what matters most.

More than a high-performance wetsuit top, this one from The Critical Slide Society is also quite trendy and stylish. Its retro aesthetic with flaring edge results from a partnership between artist John Zabawa (of A Zabawa) and LA-based Cantina Studio. Features include 2mm ultra flex neoprene, front auto-lock zip, long sleeves, and a signature Sun graphic print on the front left chest. It’s available in limited supply so get this stylish stunner before it’s gone, baby, gone.

Sometimes, you just need a classic and affordable wetsuit top for when the water is warm and the breezes cool. Enter the Axis Long Sleeve Front Zip Jacket SP21 from Xcel Men’s. It’s crafted from Eco Limestone Veoprene, which is 1mm thick at the body and upper sleeves and just 0.5mm thick under the sleeves and at the side panels. Good for 100% performance stretch, it features B-Lock seam construction and an engineered fit design. Taking it on and off is as simple as using the front zip. All that for less than an average dinner for two at a nice restaurant.

Time flies when you’re out on the waves and surf brand NCHE certainly knows as much, as does Japanese artist Kentaro Yoshida. No stranger to the sport, Yoshida designed this wetsuit jacket’s graphic logo in tandem with his latest art exhibit (accordingly named “Time Flies”). On the construction front, expect silky limestone neoprene—better known as NCHE V Foam—along with the label’s own low-profile stitch. Supreme warmth and comfort are part of the package while the unique graphic drives home a distinguished vibe. As you can probably guess, this 2mm wetsuit top is available in limited supply.

One of the best sleeveless wetsuit tops comes from O’Neill and features FlatLoc seams, smooth texture, and a throwback silhouette. Retro by design, it still uses modern materials like UltraFlex DS Neoprene. Select your size and take to the waves with ample warmth and unfettered mobility.

If you’re just starting to surf in cold ocean temperatures, you should consider rocking a full-length wetsuit with thinner neoprene in the arms and legs, rather than a thick top. However, if you simply must go with a 3mm wetsuit top, make it this one from Zhik. Equal parts dope, stretchy, and exxy, it’ll keep you super warm indeed.

A personal favourite, this hooded wetsuit top offers excellent mobility and hybrid coverage. Not only that, but the hood comes with its own rashguard. Additional features include lightweight cooling sleeves and side panels, 2mm neoprene on the front and back, a built-in visor, and a seamless paddle zone. Your surfing regimen has just been optimised.