Should you size up in wetsuits for women’s?
Tips for women’s wetsuit sizing start with your dress size. Make sure to check the measurements on the sizing guide of the wetsuit brand. If you have a different size top and bottom, it is recommended to go with the larger of the two sizes. If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up.Quick answer? If you are between two wetsuit sizes on the size chart below, decide if warmth or ease-of-entry is more important to you. For warmth go with the smaller size. To make it easy to get into, go with the larger size.If you struggle to get into a wetsuit, or it’s your first time putting one on, keep your socks on, or wrap your feet in a plastic bag. This makes it much easier for your feet to slide through the leg cuffs.To Sum It Up But we hope that by the time you’ve finished reading this post, you’ll know that in order to save yourself time and grief, it’s simply easier to get into a wetsuit when you’re wet and to get into a dry wetsuit when you’re dry. Opposites just don’t attract in this case, so don’t force it.
Is it better to size up or down for wetsuits?
Step 2: Should you size up or down in a wetsuit? In this case, we’d recommend selecting the next largest size. While we don’t want excess material, mobility is important when surfing and we don’t want the size of your wetsuit to limit your motion. While a woman can technically wear a men’s wetsuit, the fit might not be ideal. Women’s wetsuits are specifically designed to support and accommodate the female form. A men’s wetsuit might not fit snugly in the right areas, which can allow cold water to circulate and reduce the suit’s ability to keep the wearer warm.A well-fitting swimsuit is a great choice for women looking to wear a full-coverage piece under a wetsuit. Benefits include ensuring comfort, preventing skin irritation and providing additional warmth.Unfortunately, a wetsuit that is too thick does have a few downsides. It doesn’t allow you to lose excess heat and can make you feel too hot. Additionally, the thick neoprene fabric on the arms and legs can limit your range of movement, which is not what you want when surfing, swimming, windsurfing or kitesurfing.From board shorts, to a bikini, to nothing at all, what to wear under a wetsuit is a matter of personal preference. Most people prefer to wear a swimsuit or board shorts, and others may need to wear sport specific gear underneath their wetsuit depending on the activity they’re participating in.Your body heats that water, and the neoprene helps retain the warmth. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water.
Are wetsuit sizes the same as clothes?
Contrary to everyday clothes, most wetsuits come in many different sizes. In addition, they cater to people with different body types. Wetsuit sizes are built up by combining body height and chest and waist width. You can verify this by measuring your height, weight, chest and waist sizes. Wetsuits fit more snugly than clothing. Wetsuits are meant to be form-fitting. You don’t want loose folds of neoprene or large pockets of air or water in your wetsuit.If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up.Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.A 3mm or 2mm shorty for summer, a 3mm fullsuit with watertight seams for dawn patrols and general later spring and early Autumn surfing. A 4mm suit for early spring and late Autumn before the winter really kicks in. A 5mm wetsuit for winter in most locations is fine, especially when couple with boots gloves and a hood.A wetsuit should fit tight to your body like a second skin. There should be minimal gaps where water can flush through, as this excess water will make you cold. Your wetsuit needs to fit correctly on your torso, as this will keep you feeling warm.
Is it okay if a wetsuit is a little big?
If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”. Water sloshing around in your wetsuit isn’t conducive to you being the best you. You’ll feel cold, weighed down, and sad. Rinse your wetsuit in clean fresh water after each use (warm or cold is fine! Turn it inside out and allow it to completely dry away from direct sunlight before turning it back right side out. To store your wetsuit it is best to hang on a wide suit-style jacket hanger to avoid creasing.You should always rinse your wetsuit with cold, fresh water after every use. This helps remove salt, sand, sunscreen, or pool chemicals.Just like with most things in life, wetsuits naturally lose warmth over time due to factors like neoprene degradation, frequent use, exposure to UV rays, and improper care.Wetsuits as Sun Protection Wherever there’s rubber, your skin should be pretty safe from the sun, but that doesn’t mean you still don’t have to use sunscreen. If you’re wearing a springy with arms and legs exposed, give those a spray with a reef safe zinc oxide spray and cover your face and neck with a zinc paste.Avoid Vaseline You probably know this already but just to repeat, don’t use Vaseline or other petroleum-based lubricants with your wetsuit. Most wetsuit manufacturers will tell you that doing so voids the suit’s warranty because it’s proven to degrade neoprene.
Do wetsuits get tighter or looser in water?
Your wetsuit should feel close-fitting but not uncomfortable or overly-restrictive and you should be able to move in it. Wetsuits do feel slightly looser once you get in the water and water is allowed into them, too. Ultimately wetsuits should feel relatively tight and fit snuggly to your skin – there should be no pockets of air or wrinkles when you put one on. However, they shouldn’t be so tight as to limit your range of motion or dig in uncomfortably. Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of water between your body and the suit.Yes, wetsuits do stretch a little over time. The neoprene material naturally adjusts to your body shape with repeated use.Key Fit Areas To Check A tight fit around the neck helps prevent cold water from entering the suit, which is essential for maintaining warmth. The Chest – The wetsuit should fit comfortably around your chest without restricting movement.A wetsuit should fit snugly around your body, but not so tightly that it restricts your movement or causes discomfort. Think of it as a second skin – it should feel tight, but not constricting. If the wetsuit feels too tight, it may limit your range of motion and cause discomfort.Make Small Fit Adjustments Check your legs and crotch to ensure the suit is snug and well adjusted; you do not want any gap between your crotch and the wetsuit. Finally check your arms and make small adjustments to move the neoprene up into the shoulders which will relieve any possible tightness or tension.
How to fit a women’s wetsuit?
Your wetsuit should feel snug all over without pinching or cutting into your skin. There should be no baggy areas, as these can trap excess water. However, it shouldn’t feel so tight that it’s hard to move or breathe. Test the fit: Raise your arms, bend your knees, and twist your torso to ensure full range of motion. Wetsuits do become more flexible when wet and will mould to the shape of your body so as we say a little space is fine. Our video walks you through how your new suit should fit. Once you have checked the knees and armpits, turn your attention to the wrist cuffs and the ankle cuffs.A suit that’s too small could cause a feeling of tightness, making it difficult to breathe and preventing you from moving your body in a way that’s comfortable for you. On the other hand, a suit that’s too big will let water in, which will negatively affect your buoyancy and body temperature.Obviously, it is also possible to have a wetsuit that’s too tight. If it constricts your breathing, if moving your arms up and down feels like you’re lifting deadweights, if you need to call the fire brigade to get it on or off, there is a chance your wetsuit is too small for you.So how tight should it feel? Your wetsuit should feel close-fitting but not uncomfortable or overly-restrictive and you should be able to move in it. Wetsuits do feel slightly looser once you get in the water and water is allowed into them, too.You can either wash it in the shower or dunk it in a large bucket of water. This helps to keep the neoprene stretchy and the zippers running smoothly. After washing your wetsuit with cold water, hang it on a hanger to drip dry. Use a horizontal hanger and fold the suit in half over the waistline.
Do wetsuits shrink when wet?
Only when thrown into hot water, the wetsuit might shrink. Common ocean or pool water on the other hand does not impact the size of the wetsuit significantly. It’s only exposure to hot water, such as that from a hot tub or overly hot wash, that can cause shrinkage. You’ll feel cold, weighed down, and sad. If your suit fits properly, that single thin layer of water becomes securely trapped, and because it’s trapped it will heat up. You’ll feel warm, lightweight, and happy when swimming. So a wetsuit should be a tight fit.There are a lot of variants when it comes to wetsuit sizes. This can often lead to a bit of confusion when trying to figure out what the perfect fit is for you. Unfortunately, there is no universal wetsuit size chart that watersports brands adhere to.If your wetsuit is too big, the fabric will wrinkle and produce gaps which will allow the water in. People can be tempted to choose a wetsuit that is too big due to the ease of getting it on and off, but don’t be fooled, this will provide more pain than gain in the long run!Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.When you enter the water a very thin layer of water will squeeze between the wetsuit and your skin. If the wetsuit is baggy then a whole lot of water will flood in to fill the gaps between the wetsuit and your body.