Ion Wetsuit Guide. Compare the full Ion Wetsuit range here.

28 Sep 2026

ION Wetsuits Guide: How to Choose Between Select, Amp, Core, Element and Static

Choosing a wetsuit isn’t just a case of picking the thickest one. Water temperature, wind, time of year and how hard you work in the water all change what will feel right.

ION make wetsuits for surfing, kiteboarding, wing foiling, windsurfing and SUP, and the range runs from simple entry-level suits to premium winter wetsuits with graphene-lined warmth. Once you know how the ranges are organised, they’re much easier to compare.

How ION names its wetsuits

ION wetsuit names have two parts:

The family is the cut and who it’s for: Seek (men), Amaze (women) and Capture (junior).
The level is the specification: Select, Amp, Core, Element and Static, from premium to entry level.

So a Seek Core and a Seek Amp share the same men’s cut, but the Amp has a different stretch, warmth and seam package.

What thickness of ION wetsuit do you need?

Thickness is the first decision. Warmer water needs a thinner suit and colder water needs more insulation. Treat this as a starting point, because tolerance to cold varies a lot between people.

Water temperature	Typical thickness	Typical UK use	ION suits to look at
20°C+	2/2mm shorty	Warm summer days	Element or Static shorty
17–20°C	3/2mm	Summer	Core, Amp or Element 3/2
14–17°C	3/2mm	Late spring to early autumn	Core or Amp 3/2
11–14°C	4/3mm	Spring and autumn	Core or Amp 4/3
8–11°C	4/3mm to 5/4mm	Cold spring, autumn, early winter	Core or Amp 5/4, Select 4/3
Below 8°C	5/4mm and above	Winter	Select 5/4 or hooded Select

The lining changes the picture too. ION say Select suits are up to 20% warmer and dry 1.5x faster, so you can potentially drop to a thinner neoprene than you’d normally wear.

Don’t forget wind

Air temperature and wind chill matter as much as the water. A 4/3mm suit that’s fine on a still day can feel cold on a breezy one. This is why kiters, wing foilers and windsurfers often go a step warmer than surfers, and why ION put extra warmth on the back panel of their suits.

Full suit, spring suit or shorty?

Full suits cover arms and legs and are the everyday choice for the UK from spring to winter.
Spring suits and shorties have shorter arms and legs and suit warm water. ION offer 2/2mm shorties in both Element and Static.

Front zip or back zip?

ION make most of their full suits in both entry systems.

Front zip suits sit snugly with less water getting in, which helps warmth. They also give more freedom across the back and shoulders, which helps with paddling. The zip placement takes pressure off the spine.

Back zip suits are easier to get on and off and need less flexibility to do it. They keep the chest area free of pressure points. Back zip suits also add shin protection pads and detachable leg loops to stop water rushing in.

ION wetsuit ranges explained

We have scored each part of the range with 1 to 5 for warmth, flex and price.

ION Select: superior warmth

Select is the top of the range and the warmest suit ION make. It uses Graphene_Plush lining for insulation, combined with a high-stretch outer lining and reinforced seams with liquid seals. It’s built for riders who are in the water all winter for long periods of time.

Rating
Warmth	●●●●●
Flex	●●●●○
Price	●●●●○

Best suited to: Committed winter riders, and wind sports where wind chill is the problem.

Typical price: Around £480 for the 4/3mm front zip.

ION Amp: the perfect composition of flex and warmth

Amp is the most flexible suit in the range. It uses Max_Flex outer lining, an ultra-stretchy panel where you need it most, and pairs it with Hot_Stuff thermal lining. Fully taped seams limit water entry and add durability. It’s available in a range of thicknesses, front zip and back zip, and with a hood option.

Rating
Warmth	●●●●○
Flex	●●●●●
Price	●●●○○

Best suited to: Wing foiling, kiteboarding and paddling, where shoulder freedom matters most.

Typical price: Around £380–£390 for the 4/3mm (front zip / back zip).

ION Core: a versatile all-rounder with natural rubber

Core is the sensible middle of the range. It borrows selected features from the higher levels, including stretch thermal lining, durable nylon in the legs and torso, and reinforced, sealed seams. The result is a suit that’s warm, comfortable and hard-wearing at a reasonable price.

Rating
Warmth	●●●○○
Flex	●●●○○
Price	●●●○○

Best suited to: Regular riders in changing conditions, and anyone unsure where to start.

Typical price: Around £250 for the 3/2mm front zip.

ION Element: comfort and protection

Element is a genuine step into a properly made wetsuit at a friendly price. It uses Hot_Stuff 2.0 thermal lining around the core for warmth and Silk_Stuff in the shoulders and arms for comfort and freedom of movement. Stress points are reinforced and key seams are sealed. Your first proper wetsuit with some technical details.

Rating
Warmth	●●○○○
Flex	●●○○○
Price	●○○○○

Best suited to: Beginners, occasional riders and anyone on a budget.

Typical price: Around £190 for the 3/2mm back zip, and around £130 for the 2/2mm shorty.

ION Static: entry level

Static covers the basics. ION describe it as a performance-driven entry-level wetsuit with smart material choices for warmth and comfort. It’s the lowest price point in the range and a good way into wetsuits if you’re new to the water.

Rating
Warmth	●●○○○
Flex	●●○○○
Price	●○○○○

Best suited to: First wetsuits, summer sessions and anyone just starting out.

Typical price: £129.95

ION wetsuit range comparison

Range	Warmth	Flex	Price	Best for
Select	●●●●●	●●●●○	●●●●○	Cold water and winter
Amp	●●●●○	●●●●●	●●●○○	Maximum flex
Core	●●●○○	●●●○○	●●●○○	All-round use
Element	●●○○○	●●○○○	●○○○○	Comfort & warmth on a budget
Static	●●○○○	●●○○○	●○○○○	Entry level

ION wetsuit technology in plain English

Technology	What it does
Graphene_Plush	Premium thermal lining in Select suits for maximum heat retention
Max_Flex	High-stretch outer lining for shoulder and arm freedom
Hot_Stuff	Thermal lining that traps heat while staying flexible. Hot_Stuff 3.0 is ION’s stretchiest thermal lining
Plasma_Plush	Warm, quick-drying lining, useful where wind chill hits hardest
Silk_Stuff	Comfort lining in the shoulders and arms of Element suits

ION are also moving to recycled and lower-impact materials, including recycled outer linings and limestone-based neoprene in their higher-level suits.

Men’s and women’s ION wetsuits

The men’s range covers all five levels: Select, Amp, Core, Element and Static.

Ion wetsuit range with scales of budget warmth and flexibility.

The women’s range has four: Amp, Core, Element and Static. It follows the same logic as the men’s, with the Amaze cut shaped for women.

Ion Women's wetsuit range with scale of warmth, flexibility and affordability.

Fit matters more than any other feature. A wetsuit should feel snug when you first put it on, without loose patches around the lower back, shoulders or knees, and without restricting your breathing. ION offer intermediate sizes and stretchy linings to fit a wide range of body shapes. If you’re between sizes, check the size guide before ordering.

Which ION wetsuit is right for you?

If you want…	Look at…
The warmest ION wetsuit	Select
Maximum flexibility	Amp
One suit for most conditions	Core
Comfort at a budget price	Element
A first wetsuit	Static
A summer shorty	Element or Static 2/2mm

ION wetsuits for year-round UK use

Many UK riders end up with two wetsuits rather than one that covers everything. A typical setup:

Summer: 2/2mm shorty or a 3/2mm (Element, Static or Core).
Spring and autumn: 4/3mm Core or Amp.
Winter: 5/4mm Core or Amp, or a Select if you want maximum warmth.

Your own tolerance for cold and how long you’re in the water will move this up or down a step.

Choosing your ION wetsuit

For most people, a Core in the right thickness is the best first buy. Move up to Amp if you want more freedom in the shoulders, and to Select if you’re riding through winter and want the warmest suit ION make. Element and Static are the sensible entry points if you’re new or on a budget.

Above all, choose the right fit for the water temperature. A well-fitting 4/3mm will always beat a loose 5/4mm.

Shop the ION men’s

wetsuits and ION women’s wetsuits at King of Watersports, or get in touch and we’ll help you choose.

Ion Men's Wetsuit range overview Ion Women's Wetsuit range overview

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FAQs

The Select range is the warmest ION make. It uses Graphene_Plush thermal lining alongside reinforced seams with liquid seals, and it’s available in hooded versions for the coldest conditions.
The Amp range. It uses Max_Flex outer lining for extra stretch through the shoulders and arms, paired with Hot_Stuff thermal lining so it stays warm without feeling restrictive.
Amp is built for flexibility and Select is built for warmth. Amp gives the freest movement in the range, while Select adds Graphene_Plush lining for maximum insulation. Select is also the more expensive of the two.
Neither is better outright. Front zip suits fit snugly with less water entry, so they tend to be warmer, and they give more freedom across the back and shoulders. Back zip suits are easier to get on and off, keep the chest free of pressure points, and include shin protection pads and detachable leg loops.
Yes. A 5/4mm Core or Amp works for most UK winter sessions, and Select is the choice if you want maximum warmth or a hooded suit. Boots, gloves and a hood will help on the coldest days.
Yes, they’re designed for it. ION make gear for kiteboarding, wing foiling, wakeboarding, windsurfing and surfing. Amp is a popular choice for shoulder freedom, front zip suits help with warmth, and Select is worth a look if wind chill is your main problem.
Core is the step up. It has stretch thermal lining, durable nylon in the legs and torso, and reinforced, sealed seams, which makes it a better all-rounder for regular use. Element is the more affordable option, with Hot_Stuff 2.0 thermal lining for warmth and Silk_Stuff in the shoulders and arms for comfort.
Yes. The women’s range is called Amaze and comes in Amp, Core, Element and Static levels, cut specifically for women.
Snug, like a second skin, but not restrictive. It shouldn’t feel loose around the lower back, shoulders or knees, and it shouldn’t stop you breathing or moving freely. ION offer intermediate sizes and stretchy linings to help it fit a wide range of body shapes.
Start with the thickness that suits your water temperature, then pick a level: Select for warmth, Amp for flexibility, Core as the all-rounder, and Element or Static for value. Then choose front or back zip, and check the fit. If you’re unsure, Core in the right thickness is the safest first buy.
It depends mainly on water temperature. As a guide, a 2/2mm shorty suits warm summer days, a 3/2mm covers late spring to early autumn, a 4/3mm suits spring and autumn, and a 5/4mm is the winter choice. Wind, how active you are and how quickly you feel the cold all matter too. ION’s Select lining is up to 20% warmer, so you can often go a thickness lower than you normally would.