Best Kids Wetsuits UK 2024
Are kids wetsuits really worth investing in?
As parents, we only want the best for our kids - even if they’re going to grow out of it so dang fast. Wetsuits can protect them from exposure, both sun and cold, as well as keep their skin safe from stings or board rash. And if they’re waterskiing or doing anything at speed, wetsuits are mandatory protection.
But how to choose the best kids wetsuit in the UK?
Wetsuit thickness appropriate to your intended use is definitely a factor, as well as design features like stitch-locked seams and gussets for freedom of movement. We also look at how easy it is to get on and off - the last thing you want is a cranky kid before you even get started. Read on to find out how design, functionality, comfort, and price comparisons can get you a great wetsuit for your little one.
Why don’t we dive right into the list of our top 5 best kids wetsuits!
Know what you’re looking for? Get straight to it:
Planning a beach trip for the holidays? Check out our list of the Best Beach Chairs of 2024.
Kids Wetsuit Comparison
Compare the specs or jump straight down to the kids wetsuit UK reviews.
Kids Wetsuit Reviews
#5: IREENUO Kids Wetsuit
IREENUO offers a full-body comfort wetsuit that is gentle on the skin. It is designed ideally for any season, which makes it versatile and a good choice if you’re not always out for water activities, and need just one suit for the occasional outdoor adventure. What we find smart and thoughtful is the large zipper with the even bigger leash so it is easy to grab and pull when it’s time to suit up or remove. The elasticity also makes it a breeze to get into since suits tend to be tighter when dry.
Summary
Comfort: The right amount of thickness, enough to protect while allowing for movement. The zipper is covered by neoprene to avoid damaging the skin.
Durability/Functionality: The full body coverage is great and protects kids from UV rays with UPF 50+ sun protection, scratches, and jellyfish stings. The material used is 2.5mm neoprene, a reliable material for protection and is breathable at the same time. The back zipper design runs along the entire back, so it’s easy to put on and take off.
Fabric/Material: 2.5mm Neoprene
Approx Price: £73.00
Rating
Durability: 5
Comfort: 7
Warmth: 4
Fit: 8
Construction: 5
OVERALL: 5.8
Where to get it:
Pros: Solid construction and material choice. So far, there hasn’t been any instance of discomfort. It’s a functional suit that withstands high temperatures.
Cons: This might be more effective for sunny days than cold climate. The cold still penetrates through, so would not recommend for winter swimming.
Verdict: With its price point, you get a decent suit with the right protection and equally safe materials used, but your options for taking this out are down to hot to bearable-cold weather.
#4: O’Neill Toddler Reactor
For an entry-level wetsuit, the O'Neill Kids Reactor 2mm is made to a high standard. We can tell they designed it with flexibility and comfort in mind with their durable flatlock seams and UltraFlex neoprene. Thermal retention is one of the most important features when we look into wetsuits, and while only a 2mm, the neck, arm and leg seals did a great job of retaining warmer water within the suit. Most of all, we didn't get any complaints from the kids during testing!
Summary
Comfort: The backzip system is designed for easy entry and exit. Talk about comfort, the ultra stretch neoprene is an extremely flexible fabric with full protection from UV and cold water down to 60°F/16°C.
Durability/Functionality: Flatloc-stitched seams kept the suit intact! We were impressed with the flexibility of the UltraFlex neoprene while also retaining warmth. The added Smoothskin Fluid Foam in the neck was especially significant to the overall function as it added a good barrier against water from coming in without any uncomfortable tight grip.
Fabric/Material: Fluidfoam Neoprene and Fluidflex Foam, 83% nylon/17% spandex
Approx Price: £38.95
Rating
Durability: 6
Comfort: 6
Warmth: 9
Fit: 6
Construction: 7
OVERALL: 6.8
Where to get it:
Pros: UV protection and thermal retention are the top features for this suit.
Cons: The product came in with a funky smell. It doesn’t come off easily with the few washes we’ve done, but will probably fade over long use.
Verdict: Design-wise, we like the overall functionality and how the choice of materials can actually protect kids from the harmful UV rays and low temperatures - the odd smell is a small downside for us which we’re sure won’t persist.
#3: Quiksilver Prologue Range
The 2/2 Proloque wetsuit is a combination of Freemax neoprene and Hyperstretch 3.0, a good construction suitable for kids. As an entry-level suit, it’s perfect for beginners and has the right thickness for keeping the cold at bay. It doesn’t have the “kiddie” type design of some of the others on our list, but catering to kids 5-16 years old makes this suit design more versatile if you want something for the early teens. We like how it is properly stitched and locks the seams underneath so it doesn’t cause irritation. Bonus points for the consideration around sustainability with recycled neoprene.
Summary
Comfort: The Quiksilver Prologue wetsuit is constructed with FreeMax and StretchFlight neoprene for full comfort and stretch. We especially loved the blind stitch seams that covered the stitches so as not to cause itchiness.
Durability/Functionality: Built with both FreeMax neoprene and Hyperstretch 3.0, this suit promises comfort while keeping your little ones warm. The limestone-derivate eco-friendly neoprene is made from scrap rubber tires and is Bluesign® certified, with 24% less CO2 emissions per suit. Flatlock stitching allows a minimal amount of water in to minimize overheating. The back zipper makes getting into the suit easy just as the others in the list.
Fabric/Material: 83% Nylon, 17% Elastane, FreeMax neoprene for durability, StretchFlight neoprene for comfort and warmth
Approx Price: GBP£47.00
Rating
Durability: 6
Comfort: 7
Warmth: 8
Fit: 8
Construction: 6
OVERALL: 7.0
Where to get it:
Pros: Quiksilver stayed true to their promise of a cold water full suit. It’s your best choice if you like an eco-friendly, high value suit that does a great job of keeping in warmth.
Cons: It doesn’t have many colour options, and looks more like a suit for adults.
Verdict: This wetsuit has an impressive warmth and stretch mechanism, while it is also worth its price. Any eco-conscious parent will certainly love the eco-friendly build.
#2: Seavenger Scout
Take your child for surf lessons in winter, this suit has an incredible 3mm thick warming neoprene that does the job! There’s not much to worry about when you have a full suit with rubberized knee panels on your little ones. We got to enjoy a winter swim with our kids and zero complaints afterward!
Summary
Comfort: We love an anti-chafing suit with UV protection! Its 3mm neoprene is thicker than others in this category and certainly more capable of keeping kids warm while they play in the chilling waters. It has flat-lock stitching with comfortable seams.
Durability/Functionality: Made for ultra-active toddlers to junior high-ers, this wetsuit is engineered with enhanced durability and strength. Aside from its 3mm neoprene, it features rubberized knee panels for added protection, which Seavenger designed especially for surfing or other active water activities since kids most likely get in contact with rough surfaces. It also comes in anti-chafing stitching and ankle zippers to reduce the need for flushing.
Fabric/Material: 3mm neoprene
Approx Price: GBP-currently unavailable
Rating
Durability: 8
Comfort: 7
Warmth: 9
Fit: 5
Construction: 8
OVERALL: 7.4
Pros: It’s surprisingly affordable for its high quality materials and features! Anti-chafe stitching and zippers on the ankles and back made it comfortable to get on, wear and remove. Most of all, our kids found it warm.
Cons: On our kids, the suit seemed disproportionate - longer and narrower than the average suit. Our kids are average weight and slightly above average height, and we needed to fold the arms and legs back to get the right fit.
Verdict: It has everything you need in a suit, just need to have a few adjustments on the length.
#1: Realon Kids
Durable flatlock stitching, UPF 50+ sun protection, stretchable nylon, and adjustable velcro— the Realon kids wetsuit is packed with functional features. Whether it’s snorkelling, playing in the sand, or casual swimming, the suit doesn’t get in the way of having a good time. With its breathable fabric, the 2mm suit allows for so much freedom of movement. More so, it’s easy to get in and out of, and is quick drying! We can say it is fairly priced for its fantastic performance.
Summary
Comfort: The Nylon fabric’s elasticity allows kids to move freely without feeling constrained in the suit. On the other hand, the neoprene functions as a warmer by slowing down heat loss. This comes with a close fit neck and firm fit in the wrists and ankles to prevent the water from flushing in.
Durability/Functionality: The Realon kids wetsuit is made for any outdoor water sport. It is built with 2mm neoprene for extra insulation against the cold and for water resistance. Its neoprene fabric hugs the body really well to prevent water flow inside the suit.
Fabric/Material: 90% Neoprene +10% Stretch Nylon
Approx Price: £38
Rating
Durability: 8
Comfort: 9
Warmth: 9
Fit: 8
Construction: 8
OVERALL: 8.4
Pros: Realon has got its game on with its heat retention. Our 8-year-old kid got into a cold pool and she was unbothered, even stayed longer! It has an impressive quick dry ability so it is basically easy to use and low maintenance.
Cons: As much as we wish we only had positive comments, we can’t ignore the chemical smell when the suit arrived. We had to wash it first, and it wasn’t as strong but it is still there. We are positive though that these are common in wetsuits. We can’t expect them to arrive smelling like vanilla!
Verdict: This suit has all the necessary features you’ll need, whether it’s for extreme weather or being able to move freely, you can rely on it. More importantly, our kids absolutely loved this one, which makes it the winner for us!
Kids Wetsuit FAQs
Is it worth getting kids a wetsuit?
Yes, getting kids a wetsuit is worth it, especially if they enjoy water activities like surfing, snorkelling, or swimming in cooler waters. The best kids wetsuits help keep them warm and protected.
What is the best wetsuit thickness for kids?
The best wetsuit thickness for kids depends on the water temperature. Generally, for warmer waters of 21 degrees celsius plus, a 2mm wetsuit is enough. For colder waters (below 21 degrees celsius), a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit would provide better insulation, even up to 7mm-10mm (but consider as the wetsuits get thicker they get harder to move around in, which may irritate some kids). For anything below 10 degrees, stick with at least a 5mm suit… or consider staying out of the water!
Should kids wear anything under wetsuit?
Kids don't need to wear anything under their wetsuits, but some may prefer to wear rash guards or swimwear for added comfort or protection. Anything worn underneath will actually lessen how warm your child is, but we’d still recommend wearing swimmers underneath for comfort and modesty.
Should wetsuits be tight?
Yes, make sure to choose a wetsuit that fits snugly like a second skin — don’t just size up for them to grow into. Wetsuits made of closed-cell neoprene fabric trap heat effectively, but if the wetsuit is too loose, water can seep in, causing your child to feel cold faster. Check the fit around areas like underarms and knees; a properly fitting wetsuit should be snug but not restrictive, preventing both heat loss and skin irritation.
What are the disadvantages of wetsuits?
Disadvantages of wetsuits can include restricted movement, potential discomfort and a rash if not fitted properly and the possibility of overheating in warm conditions if the wetsuit thickness is too high. The best wetsuits for swimming in the ocean can allow your child to spend a longer time in the water having fun without getting too cold.
Do you go commando in a wetsuit?
Yes, it's common practice to go commando (without underwear) in a wetsuit for better comfort and mobility.
What not to wear under a wetsuit?
Avoid wearing cotton clothing under a wetsuit as it can absorb water and make you colder. Opt for synthetic materials like nylon or polyester for better moisture-wicking properties if you prefer to wear something underneath.
Is it better to size up or down in wetsuits?
It's generally better to size down in wetsuits to ensure a snug fit. A properly fitting wetsuit will provide better insulation and mobility, but make sure to refer to the manufacturer's sizing chart for the most accurate fit or try the suit on in person before buying. Don’t buy a suit for your child to grow into.
Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.