Ripcurl Dawn Patrol 5/4 Chest Zip Wetsuit Grey

Thickness - 5/4mm
Seams - Glued & Blindstitched (GBS) with Critical Stress Point Taping
Entry - Chest Zip
Foam - Neoprene-Free Natural Rubber-Based Foam
Lining - E5 Flash Lining & Thermal Lining

Top 3 Reasons We Love This
1. Brilliant warmth and stretch for the money — a proper winter wetsuit without the top-end price tag
2. Gets loads of technology trickled down from Rip Curl's premium Flashbomb range, including Flash Lining and high-stretch materials
3. Solid, dependable build quality — a proper winter workhorse that'll see you through the full season and is built to last

Suit Description
The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5/4 Chest Zip Wetsuit is a brilliant option for anyone looking for a proper cold-water wetsuit without necessarily wanting an integrated hood. You get the warmth of a 5/4mm winter suit, Rip Curl's E5 Flash Lining, Glued and Blindstitched seams and a secure chest-zip entry, all at a price that makes the Dawn Patrol one of the best-value technical wetsuits in the range.

For UK surfing, the 5/4mm construction gives you plenty of insulation for colder water. The big difference compared with the Hooded Dawn Patrol is versatility. On milder days you can surf without a hood, then simply add a separate hood when the water and air temperatures really start dropping.

Rip Curl's E5 Flash Lining provides additional insulation through key areas of the suit. Its two-layer construction is designed to retain warmth while allowing water to drain rapidly once the wetsuit is hung up, helping it dry more quickly between sessions.

The Chest Zip entry keeps the opening compact compared with a traditional back zip, helping reduce flushing while still being relatively straightforward to get in and out of. High-stretch materials through key movement areas also mean you're getting good freedom through the shoulders when paddling.

The latest Dawn Patrol also moves away from traditional neoprene, using natural rubber-based foam made with FSC Certified natural rubber alongside plant-based oil and oyster shell powder. This is combined with recycled internal jersey and water-based lamination, giving you a more considered material construction without losing the performance the Dawn Patrol is known for.

Features
• Thickness: 5/4mm
• Chest Zip entry
• Glued and Blindstitched seams
• Critical stress point seam taping
• Neoprene-free natural rubber-based foam
• FSC Certified natural rubber content
• Plant-based oil and oyster shell powder used within the foam construction
• E5 Flash Lining
• Thermal lining for additional insulation
• High-stretch construction through key movement areas
• Recycled internal jersey
• Water-based lamination
• Internal key pocket
• Designed for cold-water surfing

When Would We Wear a 5/4?
This is a proper cold-water wetsuit and one we'd reach for once a 4/3 starts becoming hard work. For UK surfing, it can cover the colder end of autumn, winter and into early spring depending on where you're surfing and how much you feel the cold.

The non-hooded design makes it particularly useful if you don't always like surfing in a hood. During the milder edges of winter you can wear the suit on its own, then add a separate 3mm or thicker hood when conditions demand it.

For the absolute coldest part of a UK winter, we'd combine it with good winter boots, gloves and a hood. If you know you're going to wear a hood virtually every session throughout winter, we'd also consider the Hooded Dawn Patrol 5/4 as the integrated design gives you a cleaner seal around the head and neck.

Expert Advice
The non-hooded Dawn Patrol 5/4 makes loads of sense for someone who wants one warm wetsuit that can cover a wide range of colder conditions. You're not committed to having a hood attached every time you put the suit on, but you've still got enough insulation to tackle proper cold water.

It's particularly good if you surf through autumn and spring as well as winter. There are plenty of days where 5mm insulation feels great but an integrated hood isn't really necessary. When it does get freezing, simply add a separate hood and you've got a full winter setup.

The Dawn Patrol is also one of those suits where Rip Curl have concentrated on the features that actually make a difference. E5 Flash Lining, GBS seams, a chest zip and good stretch are exactly what we'd want before spending money on more premium refinements.

Compared with the E-Bomb, you're giving up some outright flexibility and premium construction, but you're saving a decent chunk of money. If warmth, durability and value are higher on your list than having the absolute stretchiest wetsuit possible, the Dawn Patrol is a cracking choice.

Q & A

Q: Is the Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5/4 suitable for UK winter surfing?
A: Yes. It's a proper cold-water wetsuit. For the coldest winter conditions we'd add a separate hood along with suitable winter boots and gloves.

Q: What's the advantage of the non-hooded version?
A: Versatility. You don't have to wear a hood every time you use the suit. On milder days you can surf without one and then add a separate hood when conditions get colder.

Q: Should I choose the Hooded or Non-Hooded Dawn Patrol 5/4?
A: If you're buying specifically for the coldest part of a UK winter and expect to wear a hood every session, we'd lean towards the Hooded version. If you want a 5/4 that covers a wider range of conditions and like having the choice, go Non-Hooded.

Q: Can I wear a separate hood with this wetsuit?
A: Absolutely. A separate wetsuit hood or insertable hood is the obvious addition when temperatures drop, and it gives you the freedom to choose different hood thicknesses depending on the conditions.

Q: What does 5/4mm mean?
A: The thicker 5mm material is positioned around areas where warmth matters most, while 4mm material is used where greater movement is required. This keeps the suit warm without making it unnecessarily restrictive.

Q: Is this warmer than a 4/3?
A: Yes. The extra thickness makes a noticeable difference in colder water. If you're finding yourself cutting sessions short because your 4/3 isn't warm