Guide: Board shorts, wetsuits, Lycra and more – surfwear for the hottest days

“We’re in Italy! In August! All you’ll need is a shorty at most” – test leader Stephan’s reply back then was quite firm and carried a slightly reproachful undertone. Yet we, as test novices from northern Germany, had simply asked whether we should take a 4/3 long-sleeved wetsuit with us for the test on Lake Garda. A week later, we were indeed cruising across the warm lake on large boards in a lovely southerly breeze – in our shorties, of course. The rude awakening came the next morning. At 6.00 am, we jumped onto our small freestyle boards in our shorties – the plan was a photoshoot in the morning light. The problem: overnight, a strong northerly wind had completely reversed the lake’s current. Despite mild air temperatures, we shivered with every crash and, with a water temperature that felt like 14 degrees that morning, more than we would have in winter on the North Sea back home. As a result, we prayed every night for calm conditions in the morning, but the cycle of freezing in the morning and sweating in the afternoon was to become the norm during this test. The question of which system to choose for yourself in summer therefore depends on several factors:

Driving ability

If you can cruise across the water for hours without falling in, you should base your decision primarily on the air temperature. Conversely, if you end up in the stream every other turn, water temperatures are more likely to be the deciding factor when choosing the right wetsuit. What’s more, your knees and shins take a bit more of a beating when getting onto the board – so a wetsuit with long legs can be worth its weight in gold, even in hot weather.

Scope of application & conditions

When flying across the lake on a foil in 25-degree weather with a 12-knot wind, a shorty can be ideal. Conversely, the same temperature feels significantly cooler in a 30-knot wind or during sessions in the waves. At tropical or Caribbean spots, the purpose of surfwear is completely different: rather than keeping the body warm, sun protection is the main priority here. Depending on the spot and your skill level, your kit should also protect you from grazes or scraped knees when climbing onto the board. At the same time, wearing too many layers can easily lead to heat build-up under your wetsuit.

​Choosing the right wetsuit also depends on your skill level and the conditions.

A comparison of various summer options

​We have surveyed the market and compared different concepts with one another by way of example.

Steamer – plenty of protection for moderately warm days

Neoprene wetsuits with long legs and short sleeves are available in as little as two millimetres of neoprene, which protects against the wind chill in the shade without being too bulky. The knees and shins are protected, whilst the arms have freedom of movement – though you’ll still need to apply sun cream to them. Optionally, a Lycra top can be worn over the top. The advantage is that you can also use a suit like this on the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in summer for light-wind cruising or stand-up paddleboarding.

​Thermal base layers

Malicious tongues might be reminded of Borat when they see these skimpy one-pieces, but these wrestling-style suits certainly have their advantages. In tropical heat, they fit well and offer a good compromise between neoprene and thin board shorts. These base layers are between one and a maximum of two millimetres thick and disappear completely under shorts and Lycra. What’s more, you can use these base layers to upgrade your long-sleeved wetsuit for colder temperatures using the layering principle. Also available as thermal tops.

​​Shorts & Lycra – for purists

Simply strap on the harness and head out onto the water. In Caribbean waters or around the Mediterranean during the summer, this dream becomes a reality when the combined air and water temperature approaches the 50 mark. Important to know: Lycra shirts have a cooling effect on the skin, which means that even high temperatures of over 25 degrees on the water can feel refreshing. Tip: It’s best to upgrade with a thermal base layer.

Neoprene shorts – a relic for seat harness fans

Neoprene shorts are a relic from the days of the seat harness; they were more comfortable to wear because of the straps running through the crotch area. Unlike some board shorts, neoprene shorts don’t chafe between the thighs either. They also go well with Lycra and don’t cause you to overheat, even in the Caribbean.

Shorty – for those hot days

Short legs, short arms: the body stays covered, whilst the limbs are exposed. Offers less (sun) protection than a steamer; the knees are also exposed. Anyone who has to scramble onto the board frequently will soon notice from their knees that this isn’t the ideal solution. On the plus side: in borderline temperatures, the core of the body stays sufficiently warm and there’s still some padding under the harness.

3/4-Shorty – your knee never hurts

Ideal for anyone who still has to climb onto their board frequently and wants to protect their legs from the rough deck varnish – this applies just as much to beginners in windsurfing as it does to foil surfing, where the wind is often not strong enough for a water start. Shorties with 3/4-length legs protect the knees but otherwise offer a similar degree of freedom of movement to standard shorties. However, it’s important not to forget sun protection for your legs here either.

Long-sleeved shorty – sun protection for the arms

Just like the steamer, this is a style that can also be worn at home: the short legs allow freedom of movement, whilst the long sleeves protect you from the sun, as arms and shoulders tend to burn more quickly than the legs. It’s ideal for rough, windy spots in particular – it’s no coincidence that you often see this style in Pozo. It’s also great for surfing.

Long John – A classic, rediscovered

A classic from the early days of windsurfing: the Long John is a type of dungarees, available with or without a zip. Very similar to a steamer, offering plenty of protection for the legs. This makes it ideal for climbing onto the deck without getting injured, or for foiling. The upper body is adequately ventilated. Be careful – the exposed shoulders can burn easily, so wearing it with a Lycra top is highly recommended.

Nice to have: Specifications and features

Summer wetsuits are often a little more basic than those in the winter range. In warm water, such as in Sardinia in summer, an affordable shorty without taped seams will do. In cold water and warm air (for example, on Lake Garda), taped seams on a summer wetsuit are a welcome luxury. Well-sealed cuffs and leg openings also let less water in during a quick dip. For wing foiling, but also for budding windsurfers, a 3/4-length wetsuit with sturdy knee reinforcements can be very helpful, particularly when you frequently have to scramble onto the board.