Which 4/3 wetsuit for Kaikōura?

Hills can look like spring. The water usually doesn’t. For most of the year around here, a 4/3 wetsuit is the one people actually end up wearing, so here’s how we think about choosing one at the shop on Westend.

How cold is the water at Kaikōura?

Published sea-surface averages for Kaikōura sit at around 11°C from June through September (August is the coldest, averaging about 10.7°C, and the recorded minimum is around 9.4°C), then climb through spring to about 16°C in January and February. That’s from seatemperature.org’s Kaikōura averages; other sea-temperature sites land within about a degree of it. Treat the numbers as a guide: wind, swell and a cold southerly change how it feels on the day. We’ve tested 4/3s here in 11–12°C water and written up the results in Winter Wetsuits 2026.

4/3 vs 3/2 vs 5/4, in plain English

The two numbers are neoprene thickness in millimetres: the first is the body, the second is the arms and legs. Thicker means warmer, thinner means more stretch.

• 3/2: summer and warm spells. Browse our men’s 3/2mm wetsuits if you only surf the warmest months.
• 4/3: the all-rounder here. Autumn, spring and a lot of winter, especially if you keep moving. O’Neill’s own wetsuit guide, quoted on the product page, says most New Zealanders wear a 4/3 steamer in winter.
• 5/4 (often hooded): the coldest months, long sessions, or if you chill easily. See our men’s 5/4mm hooded wetsuits.

Thickness isn’t everything. A well-built 4/3 with sealed seams and a warm lining can feel warmer than a cheaper, thicker suit. We go into this in What makes a good wetsuit.

Chest zip or back zip?

A chest zip has a smaller opening, so it generally seals better against flushing and feels less restrictive across the shoulders. It can take a bit more wriggling to get into. A back zip is easier to get on and off, but it gives cold water a longer path in. Nearly all the men’s 4/3s below are chest zips, but comfort comes first, so try both if you can.

Seams: stitchless, taped and glued

Seams are where cold water sneaks in. Flatlock stitching is fine for warm water. For cold water you want glued, blind-stitched seams, ideally taped, or no stitching at all. The O’Neill Men’s 4/3mm HyperX Stitchless LTD Chest Zip goes furthest: its triple-glued seams are sealed with tape on the inside and an 8mm Fluid Seam Weld on the outside, so there are no needle holes for water to find. It’s cut from TB3X neoprene, with a chest zip, a 360° anti-flush barrier and a hidden key pocket.

Men’s 4/3 wetsuits we stock

• O’Neill Men’s 4/3mm HyperX Stitchless LTD Chest Zip: the stitchless option, cut from stretchy, lightweight neoprene.
• O’Neill Men’s 4/3mm Hyper Fire Chest Zip: TB4 neoprene with a graphene-infused liner. Light, stretchy and easy to paddle if you want freedom of movement.
• O’Neill Men’s Hyperfreak Chest Zip 4/3+: TechnoButter neoprene and a very light feel.
• O’Neill Men’s 4/3mm Defender Chest Zip: the workhorse. Warm enough for plenty of Kaikōura sessions and a sensible one-suit choice for many people.
• Billabong Men’s 4/3mm Furnace Natural Chest Zip: natural rubber with a graphene-infused lining, which suits people who feel the cold.
• Billabong Men’s 4/3mm Revolution Natural Chest Zip: neoprene-free, with a graphene-infused interior and glued, blind-stitched seams.
• Rip Curl Men’s 4/3mm Dawn Patrol Chest Zip and Xcel Men’s Infiniti 4/3mm Fullsuit: two more solid options. The Infiniti has a Thermo Dry Radiant lining for core warmth.
• Want a bit more warmth? The Patagonia Men’s R3 Regulator FZ Full Suit is a 4.5/3.5mm natural-rubber suit, which Patagonia rates for water around 9–13°C.

See them all in men’s 4/3mm wetsuits.

Women’s and kids’ 4/3

For women, we stock the O’Neill Women’s 4/3+mm Hyperfreak, the Hyper Fire X (O’Neill says it’s warmer than the Hyper Fire but not as light), the Bahia Fuze and the Rip Curl Women’s Flashbomb Chest Zip. The full range is under women’s 4/3mm wetsuits, and kids are in kids’ 4/3mm wetsuits.

Boots, hood and gloves

On the coldest days, your hands, feet and head are what give up first. Boots are the first add-on; a hood or gloves come next if you’re out for a long time. A few to start with: the O’Neill 5mm Hyperfire Split Toe Bootie, the Rip Curl 5mm Flashbomb Hidden Split Toe Bootie, the O’Neill Hyperfreak Fire Hood 1.5mm, the O’Neill Psycho Tech 3mm Cold Water Surf Hood and the O’Neill 3mm Hyperfire Glove. Everything is in surf booties, hoods and gloves.

Getting the fit right

Charts help, but try it on if you can. A good fit is snug all over with no gaps at the lower back, armpits or neck. A loose suit flushes cold water, and one that’s too tight will tire your shoulders. Sizing depends on your height, weight, chest and waist, and tall and short sizes matter more than the logo on the chest. Start with the O’Neill size charts or the Rip Curl size charts, then pop in and we’ll fit you properly.

Once you own one, look after it: rinse in fresh water, hang it folded over a wide hanger and keep it out of the sun.

Not ready to buy? Hire one

If you’re only here for a day, wetsuit hire is $20 for up to 8 hours, and most of the hire suits are 4/3mm. A surfboard and wetsuit combo is $50. We can’t take online bookings yet, so call or drop in. All the details are on our surfboard and wetsuit hire page.

Come in for a fitting

We’re at 24 Westend, Kaikōura, trading from the same spot since 2003. Winter hours are 9am–5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am–3pm Sunday. Summer hours run to 5:30pm Monday to Saturday (see our contact page for the current times). Can’t make it? Call us on (03) 319 5028 and we’ll talk through size before you order. Shipping is $5 anywhere in New Zealand on most items, including wetsuits and accessories (shipping info), and our 30-day return policy applies to items returned unused and in the original packaging, so a fitting in store is the best way to be sure.

FAQ

Is a 4/3 warm enough for a Kaikōura winter?

For most people, yes, especially with boots. Water averages around 11°C from June to September. If you sit around in the water, surf for hours or feel the cold easily, step up to a 5/4 or a hooded suit.

Chest zip or back zip?

Chest zips generally seal better and flex more across the shoulders, but they take a bit more effort to get into. Back zips are easier on and off. Try both on if you can.

What size should I get?

Wetsuits are sized by height, weight, chest and waist, so check the brand’s size chart and ask us if you’re between sizes. Tall and short cuts exist for a reason.

Do I need boots, a hood and gloves as well?

Boots are the first thing most people add in winter. A hood or gloves are worth it for long sessions or the coldest days.

Can I hire a wetsuit?

Yes, $20 for up to 8 hours, mostly 4/3mm. Call or drop in, as online booking isn’t available yet.

Can you ship a wetsuit, and can I return it?

We ship anywhere in New Zealand for $5 on most items, including wetsuits (surfboards and bikes are different, so check the shipping page). You can return an unused item in its original packaging within 30 days.