Wetsuit calculator

How it decides

The bands follow standard water-temperature charts, aligned with our full wetsuit thickness guide. The one kitesurf-specific twist: the windy-day toggle applies the rule that kiters dress one step warmer than surf charts suggest, because standing in the wind for two hours cools you far faster than bobbing behind the break.

Heading somewhere cold? Read the guide's sections on seams, hoods and session length; heading somewhere windy and warm, the kite size calculator is the tool you want next.

FAQ

What wetsuit do I need for 15 degree water?

Around 14-17C (57-63F) most kiters want a 3/2 to 4/3 full suit, with boots at the cold end. On a windy day or for long sessions, take the warmer option: a good 4/3 with boots.

Do kitesurfers need thicker wetsuits than surfers?

Usually one step warmer. A kiter stands in the wind for the whole session and gets constant evaporative cooling, while a surfer spends much of the time submerged and paddling. If a surf chart says 3/2, a kiter on a breezy day is happier in a 4/3.

What do wetsuit numbers like 4/3 or 5/4/3 mean?

Neoprene thickness in millimetres, thickest panel first: a 4/3 has 4mm in the torso and 3mm in the arms and legs; a 5/4/3 grades from 5mm in the core to 3mm in the limbs. More millimetres in the core keeps you warm; fewer in the limbs keeps you mobile.

When do I need boots, gloves and a hood?

As a rule of thumb: boots from about 15C water, gloves from about 12C, and a hood from about 10C. A hood is the best warmth-per-gram upgrade you can make, because you lose a lot of heat through your head in wind.