Redefining Cold-Water Surfing: The Story Behind the LunaSurf All 4mm Hooded Wetsuit

When most surfers think of winter waves, they imagine bulkier suits, stiff shoulders, and the inevitable chill creeping in. But at Lunasurf, we’ve always believed that cold-water performance doesn’t have to come with compromise. That belief led us to develop the Alpha 4mm Hooded Wetsuit—a suit born from real-world testing in some of the harshest surf environments on Earth.

Tested Where It Matters Most

We didn’t build the All 4mm in a lab. We built it in Iceland.

Founder and professional free surfer Ian Battrick spends months and years of time surfing Iceland’s frigid breaks, often paddling out in sub-zero air temperatures, icy winds, and unforgiving swell. His mission? To create a wetsuit that delivers the warmth of a traditional 5/4, with the freedom and comfort of a lighter, more flexible design.

The result: a 4mm wetsuit that performs far beyond its weight class.

Engineered for Harsh Realities

The Alpha 4mm is constructed from 100% Yamamoto #39 neoprene—a limestone-based material renowned for its superior stretch, hydrophobic properties, and environmental advantages over petroleum-based neoprene. The suit features:

• Glued, blind-stitched, and internally taped seams to prevent water entry and maximize heat retention.

• Recycled quick-dry thermal lining throughout for warmth and faster turnaround between sessions.

• A slanted front mini-zip system with a warmer panel to reduce flushing and improve fit in harsh conditions.

• A thermal lined integrated hood design for full cold-weather protection without sacrificing comfort and a cosy lip warmer - that can as comfortably be worn up or down.

Every detail—from seam placement to cuff tapering—was refined with feedback from Ian’s testing in places like Iceland, Scotland, and the Canadian Maritimes. If it didn’t perform there, it didn’t make the cut.

A Suit That Travels

Whether you’re chasing Northern Hemisphere winter swells or heading south for shoulder-season barrels, the Alpha 4mm is designed to adapt. It’s ideal for water temperatures ranging from 6°C to 13°C (43°F to 56°F), giving surfers year-round flexibility in colder climates. Although Ian and many Icelandic surfers will wear it in colder water than this along with minus 20°C (4°F) air temps.

Lightweight, packable, and resilient, it’s a favorite among surf travelers who value performance without compromise.

Built by Surfers. For Surfers.

At Lunasurf, we don’t follow industry trends—we follow the swell. Our wetsuits are developed and tested by surfers who live and breathe the lifestyle, not by corporate design teams far from the ocean.

The Alpha 4mm represents more than just warmth—it’s our commitment to creating gear that works in the real world, under real pressure, session after session.

🧤 Dial In the Full Cold-Water Setup: Boots, Gloves & Mitts That Complete the System

Maximum Warmth, Minimum Bulk: Why the 4mm Wetsuit + 8mm Boot Combo Just Works

When it comes to cold-water surfing, staying warm isn’t just about thickness—it’s about balance, comfort, and efficiency. That’s why so many LunaSurf riders are pairing our All 4mm Hooded Wetsuit with our 8mm neoprene boots for unmatched performance in frigid conditions.

Here's why this combination is so effective:

🔹 Optimized Warmth Without Restriction

The 4mm wetsuit is built with premium Yamamoto neoprene, which offers exceptional thermal insulation and stretch. While most winter suits go heavier (5/4 or 6/5/4), our 4mm design gives you full flexibility and paddling freedom—without sacrificing warmth.

By pairing it with our ultra-insulating 8mm boots, you keep the body’s most vulnerable heat-loss points (your feet) fully protected, even in sub-zero air temps and near-freezing water. The result? A system that stays warmer for longer—without overloading your upper body.

🔹 Keeps You Nimble Where It Counts

Your core stays agile in the 4mm suit, while the 8mm boots keep you grounded and warm when walking across frozen sand, reef, or rocks. And thanks to the boots' ergonomic design and flex zones, you maintain board feel and balance—critical for late drops and critical turns.

🔹 Tested in the Coldest Waters

This combo was developed and proven in places like Iceland, Scotland, Norway, and Northern Canada, where water temperatures often hover around 4–7°C (39–45°F). LunaSurf founder Ian Battrick used this exact setup on surf missions where failure wasn’t an option. It worked. Every time.

4mm Gloves – All-Around Cold-Water Performance

Designed for surfers who want warmth without bulk, our 4mm gloves are ideal for temps between 6–11°C (43–52°F). They feature:

• Quick-dry lining

• Pre-shaped ergonomic fit

• Solid grip with minimal fatigue

Best for days when flexibility and hand movement are key.

7mm Mitts – Maximum Warmth for Extreme Conditions

For the most brutal conditions—think windchill, snow, or extended sessions in freezing water—our 7mm mitts offer serious protection. They’re thicker and warmer than gloves, with a split-finger design that helps retain heat by grouping fingers together.

• Yamamoto neoprene for comfort and stretch

• Extended wrist coverage to tuck under or over your wetsuit

• Ideal for sub-5°C (41°F) water and windy winter days

🧊 The Cold-Water System That Just Works

What makes this system so effective isn’t just thickness—it’s synergy. By combining a lightweight, highly mobile wetsuit with targeted warmth on the extremities, you get the best of both worlds: freedom and function.

This exact surf gear combo has been tested and proven in some of the coldest surfable regions on Earth—by surfers who live it, not just wear it.

Bottom line: If you’re hunting cold-water waves, the All 4mm Wetsuit + 8mm Boot + 4mm gloves/7mm mitts combo gives you the thermal protection of a much thicker setup, with the mobility and comfort of a lighter one—and that’s the key to longer, better sessions in extreme environments.

Ready for Winter?

If you’re looking for a wetsuit that performs in conditions most surfers avoid, the LunaSurf All 4mm Hooded Wetsuit is your new cold-water companion. Tried. Tested. Trusted.

🌡️ Prefer a 5/4 or 6/4? We’ve Got You Covered—Lighter, Warmer, Smarter

For those of you who swear by a traditional 5/4 or 6/4 winter wetsuit, or simply feel the cold more than most, LunaSurf still delivers—without the weight penalty. Thanks to our use of premium Yamamoto neoprene, even our thicker suits are significantly lighter when wet than standard petroleum-based alternatives. The result? You get the warmth and insulation of a heavyweight winter suit, but with noticeably less drag, faster drying times, and improved mobility in the water.

Whether you choose the 4mm, 5/4, or 6/4 hooded options, you're getting serious thermal performance—backed by real-world testing in some of the coldest waves on the planet.

For those who prefer extra warmth, our 6/4 wetsuits deliver premium insulation with the same lightweight feel thanks to advanced Yamamoto neoprene. And don’t forget the littlest surfers—our Kids 6/4 Hooded Wetsuit offers full cold-water protection so the whole family can enjoy the waves, no matter the temperature.

Shop the 4mm Suit →
Explore Men’s 6/4 Wetsuits →
Explore Women’s 6/4 Wetsuits →
Explore Men’s 5/4 Wetsuits →
Explore Women’s 5/4 Wetsuits →
Shop Kids 6/4 Hooded →
Explore the 8mm Boots →
Shop 4mm Gloves →
Explore the 7mm Mitts →

🎬 FREE FULL SURF FILM — Arctic Cold-Water Surfing Adventure 

 JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE SURF

If you’ve been following our latest blog about LunaSurf’s cold-water wetsuit system, you know how crucial it is to have gear that balances mobility, warmth, and durability in extreme conditions. Now, see it all in action.

This film takes you on a raw, unfiltered journey into the unforgiving beauty of Arctic surfing — where patience is tested more often than waves. Endless hours battling biting cold, fierce winds, and the harshest environments imaginable.

But when the waves finally roll in—pristine, glassy, and framed by frozen landscapes—those rare moments of perfection make every struggle worthwhile.

It’s exactly these fleeting rides that capture the true spirit of surfing in some of the coldest waters on Earth, and prove why the LunaSurf 4mm Hooded Wetsuit combined with our 8mm boots and gloves/mitts is the ultimate cold-water system. Tested in these wild conditions, it’s gear you can trust to keep you out there longer, warmer, and freer.

Watch the full film and get inspired to chase your own cold-water waves with confidence.

[Watch Now →]