Rip Curl Women's Dawn Patrol Wetsuit Review

Rip Curl has been supplying wetsuits for surfers worldwide for over 40 years. In this review, we will dive into one of their staple models: the women's Dawn Patrol wetsuit. Over the years, it has been a popular suit for ladies surfing colder waters for a reason. Its affordable price point and well-thought-out design meet the needs of all cold water surfing enthusiasts. Time and time again, this trusted cold-water wetsuit excels surfers' expectations in the ocean.

Women’s Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Wetsuit

Neoprene and Lining

The Women’s Dawn Patrol wetsuit uses Rip Curl’s signature plant-based natural rubber. For 2025, Rip Curl transitioned from E5 neoprene to plant-based natural rubber due to its lower toxicity and improved performance.  

The lining of this particular suit is what shines out in the lineup. Rip Curl equipped the Dawn Patrol with high-quality Flash lining to keep surfers warm in the coldest temperatures. The combination of E5 Flash lining and E4 Thermo Lining is designed to keep water out, regardless of swell size. You’ll even notice a drier feel to the suit's interior when peeling it off, thanks to the quick-drying and water-funnel elements the liner provides. This liner has a soft, felty feel, making it super comfortable to wear for long periods.

Seams and Durability 

Every detail of this suit, down to the stitching, is designed with performance in mind. The Women's Dawn Patrol wetsuit is finished with E5 taping over the seams to provide balanced strength and flexibility at each cut of rubber. The taping method also helps keep water out and ensures less leaking while duck diving in bigger waves.

All interior seams are taped in high-stress areas such as the shoulders, inner thighs, and knees to provide extra strength in the parts of the body most needed to execute maneuvers. The bright red E5 taping matches the plush red lining on the suit's interior, making it easy to spot and repair if necessary. As a lady making her way through the cold swell, you’ll feel confident that this suit won’t bust when going for big turns, deep barrels, or long nose rides. Another thoughtful part of the suit design is the paneling and simple exterior. The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol uses larger rubber panels to reduce the number of seams. This notable characteristic, paired with the simple stretch exterior and the lightweight zipper, makes for a durable wetsuit.

Fit and Cut

Rip Curl has a unique fit compared to most brands. If you're of a more athletic build, it may be best to size up, as Rip Curl tends to run a skinnier, tighter fit. For instance, if you're normally a size 8 in other brands, you very well could be a size 10 in this Rip Curl. However, it depends on your body type, and it is best to follow the size chart offered by Rip Curl. The wrist and ankles are snug but not too tight, allowing protection from flushing if caught on the inside.

Since this suit has a narrow cut, the chest zip entry can be more challenging to get on and off. Look at the back zip option if you aren’t used to using a chest zip suit or have limited shoulder mobility. The Women’s 4/3 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Back Zip is a great choice for women with a curvier build or someone who is simply looking for the Dawn Patrol with a more accessible entry system.

Hoods are often one of the more uncomfortable features of a suit. However, Rip Curl has been able to construct a pretty comfortable hood. While there isn’t any extra liner on the hood to prevent extra brain freeze during duck dives, this simple design allows the fit to feel less claustrophobic.

Flexibility and Warmth

The Women’s 5/4 Rip Curl Dawn Patrol is well known for the endless warmth it provides while surfing water in the 45 - 55 F degree range. Rip Curl’s E5 Flash liner holds heat in while keeping water out. If your suit flushes, the liner simply repels the water, keeping as much warmth inside as possible.

While this suit keeps you plenty warm, the flexibility can feel a bit lackluster. By no means will you feel heavily restricted in the water, but the thick neoprene paired with the E5 flash liner makes for a stiffer suit compared to similarly priced wetsuits. The Dawn Patrol doesn’t feel as stretchy when dry, but it will loosen up once you spend some time in the water. Over the years, I’ve surfed in many different wetsuits, and for the price, the warmth and durability make up for any lack of flexibility.

Value

The Women’s Rip Curl Dawn Patrol is a mid-range wetsuit, topping out at $349.95 for the 5/4 hooded model. This type of suit is an investment in your cold water surf experience. Arguably one of the most durable suits on the market, the Dawn Patrol is worth every penny in my eyes. This suit will keep you warm when you need it, last you multiple seasons with the proper care, and still give you enough mobility to rip out there. Lastly, Rip Curl is one of the companies that offers a 1-year warranty on materials and stitching. 

Customer Feedback

"Nice warm wetsuit for CA winter. I've never had chest zip wetsuits before so it's a bit tricky for me to put it on/take it off at first but it's manageable."- Previous model

Cleanline Customer

Staff Feedback

"Growing up surfing in warm water, it was very important for me to have a wetsuit that kept me warm throughout my long surf sessions in the cold water of the North Coast. The Rip Curl Women's Dawn Patrol makes sure of that, containing E5 flash lining with a fuzzy and comfortable material which helps your wetsuit to dry extremely quickly. Along with the E5 lining, this wetsuit also contains Rip Curl's E5 neoprene creating a stretchy and more comfortable wetsuit. Overall I would strongly recommend this wetsuit to all types of athletes looking for a well made cold water wetsuit." - Previous model

Sophi at Cleanline Surf

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This Wetsuit Is Also Featured In:

• 6 Best Affordable Women's Wetsuits Under $300
• 5 Best Mid-Range Women's Wetsuits For 2026

Final Thoughts

Is the Women’s Rip Curl Dawn Patrol worth it? Is it going to keep you warm while still allowing you the freedom to rip? Is this a good suit for women? The answer to all of those questions is yes. The wetsuit is one of the best values for your money due to its high-quality construction and plush warm interior. The Dawn Patrol is to the point with its simple exterior and exceptional warmth. If it doesn’t sound like this wetsuit will work for you, but you still need to find something, check out our Women’s Wetsuit Fit guide to better understand what brand will work best for you.

If you have any questions about fit or any other details on the suit feel free to give our team a call at 888-546-6176 or shoot us an email at support@cleanlinesurf.com.

Cleanline Surf

Established in 1980, with locations in Seaside and Cannon Beach, Cleanline Surf is the Northwest's Original Surf Shop and remains your leader for surf, skate, and kitesurf needs..