6 Best Affordable Hooded Wetsuits for 2023

Finishing 2023’s round-up of the best-hooded wetsuits, we enter the affordable price tier. The suits on this list are some of the best for value currently available. Affordable suits don’t have all of the premium features of $350+ suits, but they pack in enough tech and rubber to keep you comfortable and warm in our frigid waters. This leads the suits to be lighter weight than their more expensive counterparts, which is a bonus if you are looking for higher performance while surfing.

Wetsuits Reviewed

• Vissla - Seven Seas 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $329.95
• Buell - RB2 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $315.95
• Quiksilver - Everyday Sessions 5/4/3 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $299.95
• Billabong - Absolute Plus 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $339.95
• Volcom - Modulator 5/4/3 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $344.95
• O'Neill - Ninja 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $329.95

Now, here are the six best affordable hooded wetsuits for 2023.

Vissla Seven Seas - $314.95

“Bang for Your Buck”

Starting off our list, we have the Vissla Seven Seas. Completely redesigned in 2022, this suit features some of Vissla’s best tech. Namely, the 100% limestone-based neoprene that gives this wetsuit a premium buttery feeling. After spending some time in a limestone-based suit, you really begin to notice a difference in flex and comfort. Vissla chose to ax the smooth skin on the suit's chest and just include one panel on the back. They also chose not to use an exterior seam weld to save on weight and price. This results in a suit that is much easier to repair and is a bit longer-lasting.

Vissla didn’t skimp on their interior seams as they are glued, triple blind stitched, and fully taped. Their incredibly soft and hard-working interior liner, Fever Fiber, also makes an appearance in the core and ends just above the knees. The legs of the suit are finished with their Eco Fiber liner. There’s even a strip of Eco Fiber in the hood to help prevent ice-cream headaches. This suit is jam-packed full of higher-end features and is one of the better buys on this list.

For a more in-depth review of the hooded Vissla Seven Seas Wetsuit, check out our full review.

Highlights & Features

• Incredible value
• Warmest suit on this list
• Environmentally-friendly materials

Buell RB2 5/4 - $315.95

"A Pacific Northwest Favorite"

Still a relatively newer brand out of Northern California, Buell has been a consistent favorite here in the PNW. One of the best things about the RB2 is how simple it is. With some colorful shoulder panel options, this suit is one of their most discreet and unassuming. However, it is jam-packed with features to keep you warm and happy on the coldest of days. The suit features limestone-based neoprene; Buell calls it Ninja Neoprene, which is less water permeable and more environmentally friendly. It is buttery to the touch and dries pretty darn quickly compared to its petroleum counterpart.

The interior seams are triple glued, blindstitched, and include critical taping. You’ll notice the exterior seams are welded with Buell’s Sizzle seal to ensure a water-tight wetsuit. A plush internal thermal barrier liner is also present in the core and extends to just above the knee pads. All of the features in the RB2 create an incredibly warm and durable wetsuit at a great price point. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t. There’s a reason folks in this corner of the world have been wearing RB2s since they first dropped. 2023 is a great year to pick one of these bad boys up.

For a more in-depth look at this suit, check out our full review of the Buell RB2 Wetsuit.

Highlights & Features

• Simple yet rugged suit
• Ninja Limestone based Neoprene
• Complete exterior Sizzle seam weld
• Solid Interior Liner
• Happy Faces on the kneepads

Quiksilver Everyday Sessions - $299.95

“Striking Quality”

Quiksilver has been designing wetsuits for years and has been producing surprisingly high-performing hooded suits for the price. We covered the Marathon Sessions in the mid-range wetsuit guide, and the Everyday Sessions make an appearance in this one. The Everyday Sessions is the lighter, more flexible, and cheaper suit made with performance features in mind. It’s one of two 5/4/3s on this list, and that little bit of 3mm neoprene makes this suit feel stretchier and more comfortable than a true 5/4 or a 5.5/4.5. In thicker hooded wetties, every bit of weight reduction helps.

Starting with the seam construction of the Everyday Sessions: they are triple blindstitched, glued, and spot taped. The Everyday Sessions only has smooth skin in the hood, which greatly reduces the weight as compared to the Marathon Sessions. Instead of a liner just in the core, Quik decided to put their WarmFlight Eco Velvet thermo liner throughout the entire suit. It’s incredibly comfy and does a great job of keeping you toasty warm during cold sessions. This suit is excellent if you’re a fan of their gear and looking for extra stretch and comfort in the water.

Take a look at our full review of the Quiksilver Everyday Sessions Wetsuit.

Highlights & Features

• Quality StretchFlight eco-neoprene
• Comfy liner throughout entire suit
• Great features for the price

Billabong Absolute Plus - $339.95

“High Performance, Low Price”

The Billabong Absolute Plus has been a favorite at Cleanline for a while now. We actually use the non-hooded version of this suit in our rental fleet. This is because it’s an affordable suit that can handle constant abuse and still keep the cold water out. The hooded version is a souped-up suit with even more tech and an easy recommendation to anyone looking to get wet in 40-degree water. The Absolute Plus also features their award-winning Graphene liner, one of the highest-quality liners on the market.

The exterior seams are 100% welded with a liquid S-Seal. Liquid S-seal is added to higher-end wetsuits to improve warmth and durability. This feature on an affordably priced wetsuit is unheard of. The new 2023 Absolute plus also includes smart foam for superior thermal retention. There is ample smooth skin on the core and hood, so if you surf at a particularly windy break, this is the suit for you. As an added bonus, most of the wetsuit is made from recycled material. Namely upcycled car tires in the liner and jersey material. This is a cheap hooded suit jam-packed with high-end features, which makes it an incredible buy.

Take a look at our full review of the Billabong Absolute Plus Wetsuit.

Highlights & Features

• High-quality Superlight Neoprene
• Award-winning Graphene Liner
• Incredibly warm for the price tag
• Surprisingly durable

Volcom Modulator - $344.95

“Staff Favorite”

Newcomers on the scene, Volcom released their first line of wetsuits in 2022. When we got our hands on them for testing, they quickly became a staff favorite, and we are seeing them in our local lineups. The hooded Modulator is a tough and simple suit that has everything you need and nothing you don't. The interior seams are glued, triple blindstitched, and fully taped. Following the trend, there is no smooth skin or exterior seam weld anywhere on this suit. As stated before, this makes it more durable and easier to repair as compared to suits with smooth skin.

The Modulator immediately stands out with how buttery and premium the rubber feels. Volcom chose to go with a 100% limestone-based neoprene construction. The elongation, flexibility, and insulation characteristics of limestone neoprene are the same or better than its predecessor, petroleum-based neoprene, but are way less harmful to the environment. This makes limestone neoprene one of the most flexible and warm neoprene types out there. Coupled with its quick-drying liner, the Modulator is one of the fastest-drying suits I have owned. With all of these premium features crammed into a more affordable suit, it is an easy recommendation for any cold water surfer.

For a more in-depth look, check out our full review of the Volcom Modulator Wetsuit.

Highlights & Features

• Staff favorite
• A great balance of warmth and flexibility
• Extra-buttery limestone neoprene
• Stoney Vibes

O'Neill Ninja - $329.95

"Maximize Performance”

Maneuver like a pro in the recently released O’Neill Ninja wetsuit. O’Neill has been making top-of-the-line wetsuits for many years. Let’s just say they know a little bit about satisfying surfers. With DL fluid flex Firewall, a F.U.Z.E closure system, and Ultraflex seams, this suit is well worth the price. The Ninja also includes internal ultra-flex taped seams, which improve the wetsuit's durability and performance. Along with the incredible flex, O’Neill includes Firewall throughout the chest and legs for added warmth. This wetsuit is at the top of the chart when it comes to the best bang for your buck.

If you’re looking for a wetsuit to help you perform at a new level, look no further. The Ninja could very well be your next favorite.

Read through our full review of the O'Neill Ninja Wetsuit.

Highlights and Features

• Maximum stretch
• Comfortable Techno Butter
• Strong zip system
• Suitable price

Relevant Blogs We’ve Written

• Surf Wetsuit Hood Guide
• Surf Wetsuit Glove Guide
• 6 Best Mid-Range Hooded Wetsuits for 2023
• 5 Best High-End Hooded Wetsuits for 2023

Final Thoughts

There you have it, the 6 best affordable wetsuits on the market. If you’re looking to purchase your first suit or find something cheaper and more lightweight, there are plenty of options. This list compiles all of Cleanline’s best affordable hooded wetsuits for 2023. We believe there is a wetsuit out there for every person and every budget. We’ll see you in the water: cheers.

If you have any questions about these or any other suits, feel free to give us a shout at support@cleanlinesurf.com, leave a comment, or call us at 1-888-546-6176.