How it surfs
Dawn Patrol reviews are consistently high because Rip Curl doesn't cheapen the seam construction to hit the price point — the seams are the same GBS spec as the E-Bomb, just without the external liquid sealing tape.
For a first wetsuit, or a backup for road trips and rentals, the Dawn Patrol is the pragmatic pick.
Volume & sizing chart
Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.
| Size | Volume | Rider weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS | 3/2 mm | 70–77 kg / 155–170 lbs | Beginner |
| M | 3/2 mm | 72–80 kg / 158–177 lbs | Beginner |
| MT | 3/2 mm | 74–82 kg / 163–181 lbs | Beginner |
| L | 3/2 mm | 82–91 kg / 180–200 lbs | Beginner |
| XL | 3/2 mm | 90–98 kg / 200–215 lbs | Beginner |
How it compares
| Board | Best at | Wave range | Aggregate score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 3/2 | Entry-level back-zip | 15–19 °C | 8.4 |
| O'Neill Epic 4/3 | Entry-level back-zip winter | 12–17 °C | 8.5 |
| Rip Curl Omega 3/2 | Entry-level flatlock | 17–21 °C | 8.0 |
Verdict
Verified Rip Curl, Cleanline, and Boardshop sources are listed for the Dawn Patrol 3/2. None of the verified pages provide a reusable numeric review score, so the page lists sources and prices without inventing an average.
Estimated score: 8.4 / 10
Estimated from 3 independent sources — none publish numeric scores. See sources below.