Steamer, springsuit, shorty, short john.
No, we’re not naming members of a 90s punk band.
These are actually terms for the different wetsuit types. In a nutshell, wetsuit types differ mainly by how much of your arms and legs they cover. The colder the water, the more rubber you’ll want. The warmer the water, the less you can get away with.
Nailing your wetsuit (or wettie) choice keeps you warm and happy in the water. Because take it from our wetsuitologists… there are few things worse in the surfing world than having to pull up stumps on an epic session because you can’t feel your extremities.
To ensure that you never have to cut an amazing day of surfing short, we created this handy guide to the main wetsuit types.
With it you can match the right one to your local water and get on with the fun part.
Want to see what's on offer while you read? Check our full wetsuit range today.
How wetsuit types differ
The more of your body a wetsuit covers, the warmer it keeps you. That’s the whole logic behind wetties.
Neoprene thickness is a separate decision that fine-tunes things further. We'll get to that later. The cut of your wetsuit is what you’ll decide on first.
Below we'll walk through the three main ones you'll come across (the steamer, the springsuit and the short john) plus a couple of others worth knowing.
What is a steamer wetsuit?
Steamer wetsuits are full-length suits with long arms and long legs. They're for sure the warmest option going around. If a suit covers you from wrist to ankle, it's a steamer.
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Full coverage makes it the go-to for cooler water, winter sessions and crisp early-morning surfs when the air is colder than the water
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When people talk about a "full suit" or a wetsuit steamer, this is what they mean
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For most Australian surfers, it's the wetsuit you'll spend the bulk of the cooler months in, so it's worth investing in a decent one
Have a look at our men's steamers and women's steamers to see the range.
What is a springsuit (aka a shorty)?
A springsuit wetsuit is a short-legged cut built for the warmer months. You'll sometimes see it written as two words, spring suit.
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It covers your torso but leaves your legs free from around the thigh down
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This way you get a bit of core warmth and wind protection without the risk of overheating when the water's mild
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You'll often hear a springsuit wetsuit called a "shorty wetsuit". They’re the same cut
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Most come with short arms, but there's also a long-sleeve springsuit variant that adds a little extra warmth up top while keeping the legs free
Browse our men's springsuits and women's springsuits.
What is a short john?
A short john is sleeveless with short legs. It’s not so popular these days, but it definitely has a place in warmer climates.
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The short john covers your torso but frees up your shoulders and arms completely
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That open upper half gives you full paddling movement, which is why it suits warmer water where warmth matters less than freedom
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The easy way to tell it apart from a springsuit: a springsuit has sleeves. A short john doesn't
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If your arms are bare and your legs are short, you're in a short john
Other cuts worth knowing
A couple of other wetsuit cuts fill the gaps between the main three.
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A short-sleeve steamer keeps the full-length legs of a steamer but swaps long arms for short arms
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This is a nice middle ground for water that's cool but not cold
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There are also wetsuit tops or vests worn on their own or layered under a suit for a bit of extra core warmth when you need it
See our men's short-sleeve steamers and women's short-sleeve steamers.
Which wetsuit type do you need?
It really comes down to season and water temperature. Here's the simple version:
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Cold water and winter, go with a steamer
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Warm water and the middle of summer, a springsuit or shorty has you covered
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If you're surfing warm water and doing a lot of paddling, a short john gives your arms the freedom they want
Now, that’s the wetsuit-type-rundown. But we also have to consider neoprene thickness in millimetres. Good times ahead. Our seasonal winter wetsuit guide can help you fine-tune from there.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is a steamer wetsuit?
A steamer is a full-length wetsuit with long arms and long legs, making it the warmest cut. It's the standard choice for cooler water, winter and early-morning surfs, and it's what most people mean when they say "full suit".
Q. What are steamer wetsuits made for?
Steamer wetsuits are made for cooler water. Their full-length arms and legs trap the most warmth, so they're the suit you reach for through winter and on cold early starts when you want to stay out longer.
Q. What does steamer wetsuit mean?
The name simply refers to the full-coverage cut. A steamer covers your whole body from wrists to ankles, which is what makes it the warmest option and the go-to for colder water.
Q. What is a shorty wetsuit?
A shorty is another name for a springsuit, a short-legged wetsuit for warmer months. It covers your core but leaves your legs free from the thigh down, so you stay comfortable without overheating in mild water.
Q. What’s the difference between a steamer and a wetsuit?
A steamer is a type of wetsuit, not a separate thing. "Wetsuit" is the umbrella term for all of them, while "steamer" refers specifically to the full-length cut with long arms and legs. So every steamer is a wetsuit, but not every wetsuit is a steamer.
Final thoughts
It all comes back to how much of you is covered.
A steamer covers the most and keeps you warmest for cold water. A springsuit or shorty covers your core with short legs for warmer months. A short john frees your arms for warm water and lots of paddling.
Match the cut to the temp of the water you plan to surf in and you’ll be sweet.
If you'd like a hand working out which suits your water, browse our full wetsuit range or get in touch with the team in Gerringong. We've been kitting out surfers for the local conditions for over 50 years and we'd be stoked to help you find the right one.
