The 6 Best Youth Wetsuits of 2025

Choosing the right wetsuit for your child is key to keeping them warm, comfortable, and safe in cold water, whether they're learning to surf, swim, or just splash around. Thankfully, today's best youth wetsuits offer the same performance and materials as adult suits, but in kid-friendly sizes. We’ve reviewed our favorite options of 2025 to help you find the perfect fit for your grom, from budget-friendly suits to high-performance models for future pros.

Best Youth Wetsuits Reviewed

Best affordable youth wetsuit: O’Neill Youth Reactor II Wetsuit - $94.95+

Best youth suit for toddlers: Rip Curl Youth Groms Omega Wetsuit - $169.95

Best-selling youth wetsuit: O'Neill Youth Epic Wetsuit - $189.95+

Best value youth hooded wetsuit: Rip Curl Youth Dawn Patrol Wetsuit - $229.95

Best all-around youth suit: Xcel Youth Axis Wetsuit - $199.95+

Best high-performance youth suit: O'Neill Youth Hyperfreak Wetsuit - $269.95+

O’Neill Youth Reactor II - $94.95+

"Best affordable youth wetsuit"

Our Take: What better place to start than the affordable Youth Reactor II? This suit combines comfort, warmth, durability, and style, all at a great price point. Whether or not you’re a first-time wetsuit buyer, don’t pass on the Reactor II. It’s backed up by O’Neill’s decades-long reputation for manufacturing quality suits. 

With a blend of Fluid Foam and Ultraflex neoprene, the Reactor II is sure to be a hit with so many color options available. Don’t miss the Superman-inspired color theme on the Toddler model! Aside from the fun colors, the Reactor II uses flatlock seam construction. The Flatlock seam is the most basic and cost-effective, often used in wetsuits 3mm thick or less. Although glued for improved watertightness, it’s not uncommon for water to seep through. Lastly, the back zipper with a long zipper pull ensures that putting the wetsuit on and taking it off is a breeze. This can be a big plus for younger kids struggling with more complicated suits.

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O’Neill Toddler Reactor II 2mm Wetsuit - $94.95
O’Neill Youth Reactor II 3/2 Back Zip Wetsuit - $119.95

Rip Curl Youth Groms Omega - $169.95

"Best youth suit for toddlers"

Our Take: We’re stoked to stock the Youth Groms Omega for the littlest groms out there. All the suits featured in this blog are only available in the standard sizes of 4 or 6 and above. However, this 4/3 back zip suit is also made in size 2 for young water lovers who weigh between 24 and 28.5 lbs. With the right conditions, it’s never too early to introduce your little grom to the water. 

Just because this is made for the little tykes doesn’t mean it sacrifices on features. It’s got the same E5 neoprene, sealed seams, and stress point taping that’s found in the Dawn Patrol, which we’ll get to below. You know how laughable it can be if you’ve tried to put a rubber suit on a squirmy two-year-old. That said, the Youth Groms Omega has special zippers built into the ankles of the suit, making the on/off process much more painless for everyone involved.

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O'Neill Youth Epic - $189.95+

"Best-selling youth wetsuit"

Our Take: This is the classic youth wetsuit and our best-selling youth suit by a country mile. The Epic has sustained popularity for so long because it’s a simple suit done right. Built with Ultraflex neoprene that’s comfortable and super flexible, the Epic is easy for kids to get in and out of. It’s also plenty warm and more durable than an old truck. We’ve always sold so many of these because they can withstand multiple rounds of being a "hand me down."

Beyond its longevity, the Epic is easy for kids to get in and out of and has the best back zipper of any youth wetsuit. It comes in several different colors and is a no-brainer for any up-and-coming surfer.

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O'Neill Youth Epic 3/2 Back Zip Wetsuit - $189.95
O'Neill Youth Epic 4/3 Back Zip Wetsuit - $199.95
O'Neill Youth Girls Epic 4/3 Back Zip Wetsuit - $199.95

Rip Curl Youth Dawn Patrol - $229.95

"Best value youth hooded wetsuit"

Our Take: Without a doubt, the Dawn Patrol has been a best seller for years in both the adult and grom models. Rip Curl hasn’t made any changes to this suit in the past few years, which is a testament to the reputation of the Dawn Patrol.

Trusty E5 neoprene packs in warmth and comfort while holding up to the wear and tear of a pounding beach break. Robust internal taping is placed at the high-stress areas, adding durability to the suit. In addition, glued and blind stitched seams round out the key features. Look no further than the Dawn Patrol for one of the best value suits on the market.

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Rip Curl Youth Dawn Patrol 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $229.95

Xcel Youth Axis - $199.95+

"Best all-around youth suit"

Our Take: The Xcel Youth Axis wetsuit is new to the Cleanline Surf inventory. So far, it's been a solid mid-range option for young surfers, offering a balance of warmth, flexibility, and durability. With its stretchy neoprene and cozy ThermoLite chest lining, this suit brings grown-up performance to pint-sized surfers. Whether your kiddo is chasing their first wave or paddling out like a pro, the Axis is flexible, warm, and built to last.

The back zip makes getting in and out a breeze (especially when you're juggling sand-covered snacks and sunscreen), and the eco-friendly materials mean you’re doing right by the ocean while you’re in it. Plus, those triple-glued and blindstitched seams can handle all that's thrown their way. If your young ripper needs a reliable suit for cool-water adventures, the Youth Axis is a no-brainer.

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Xcel Youth Axis 4/3 Back Zip Wetsuit - $199.95
Xcel Youth Axis 5/4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $259.95

O'Neill Youth Hyperfreak - $269.95+

"Best high-performance youth suit"

Our Take: If you want to spoil the grom in your life, the O’Neill Youth Hyperfreak is thee most flexible youth wetsuit available. Even though it’s about a third less than the adult version, the youth Hyperfreak hasn’t been watered down at all. O’Neill has taken all the great features and materials from the beloved Hyperfreak series and packed ‘em into this youth version.

That means the famous TechnoButter 3 neoprene in the body and the top-tier TB3X neoprene in the paddling zone (arms and shoulders) provide unrestricted mobility. The seams are all triple glued and blindstitched with TB3X tape internally for warmth, and there's a solid hood to boot. The insanely flexible, lightweight, and comfortable fit makes this the best youth wetsuit on the market.

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O'Neill Youth Hyperfreak 3/2+ Chest Zip Wetsuit - $269.95
O'Neill Youth Hyperfreak 4/3+ Chest Zip Wetsuit - $289.95
O'Neill Youth Hyperfreak 5/4+ Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit - $309.95

Youth Wetsuit Comparison Table

Youth Wetsuit FAQ

Why are youth wetsuits important?

Getting the correct thickness and size for kids is critical to keep them safe and comfortable in the ocean. Wetsuits help them stay warm in cold temperatures, shield their skin from the sun’s UV rays, add buoyancy, and in general, provide another layer of protection.

How do I size a kid’s wetsuit?

Youth wetsuit sizes typically match a child’s age—e.g., a size 10 fits a 10-year-old. Always consult the brand’s size chart to ensure the best fit. If they’ve hit a growth spurt or are filling out, they could be a 12. On the flip side, if they’re light for their age, they could be an 8. These measurements are just averages, so it’s always best to double-check the size chart listed just above the available sizes to confirm.

Is there a strategy for buying kids' wetsuits?

Yes, it's best to buy on a curve. Buy the wetsuit on the lower end of the size chart so the suit will be slightly oversized on them at first, but they'll be able to grow through it. Kids grow fast. Clothes, sporting equipment, and everything else require multiple purchases as they develop. Fortunately, youth wetsuits today are built to last and can survive a few generations of hand-me-downs. That being said, if a hand-me-down is too big or worn out, it won’t work properly to keep you warm. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to pick up a new suit to be sure.

What thickness wetsuit does my child need?

• 3/2mm – Best for water temps 60–68°F (mild spring/summer).

• 4/3mm – Ideal for 54–63°F (cooler spring/fall days).

• 5/4mm or 5/4/3mm with hood – Needed for below 54°F (cold winter surf).

Final Thoughts

Getting a quality kid's suit is a good investment and can pay for itself if you have a few groms it can cycle through. All the wetsuits featured are built for the brutal wear and tear kids put on their gear. Additionally, properly rinse the suit with fresh water after each use to extend its life and warmth over the years.

Looking for the best of the best? Go straight for the Hyperfreak. Or, if you're just getting started, check out the affordable O’Neill Reactor II. It’s got what’s needed to get your grom out in the water. No matter what suit you choose, we hope you and your kiddo are just as stoked as we are with that new suit feeling.  

If you have any questions about these suits, sizing, or anything else, feel free to call us at 1-888-546-6176, leave a comment below, or email support@cleanlinesurf.com. See you in the water!

Sarah

Originally from the rolling hills of New Hampshire, Sarah now calls Oregon home. She started at Cleanline Surf in 2019 and, since then, has grown into the role of the Customer Service and Blog Manager. When she’s not at work helping dial in customers with surf gear, Sarah is happiest out adventuring. From mellow summer surf sessions to winter splitboard missions to ripping down her favorite mountain bike line, Sarah is always ready to go at the drop of a hat.