Are cheap wetsuits any good?
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Price Fool You. If you’re shopping for a wetsuit and see a lower price tag at NCW, don’t assume it means compromise. Cheap wetsuits doesn’t mean low quality – especially when they come from a brand that knows the British coast inside and out. 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.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.Whatever you use your wetsuit for, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Your wetsuit should feel snug and tight all over. If there’s excess material in places like the neck and cuffs, it will let water in and negate all its insulating properties. Don’t be too taken aback by the tightness of a wetsuit.Recommended Budget for a Wetsuit The prices of decent fullsuits start at $100 for warm water surfing and over $300 for cold water surfing. But if you have extra money, spend it on suits that range from $200 to $350.
Are there plus-size wetsuits?
If you have had trouble finding a good fit with standard wetsuit sizing, you may feel invisible to wetsuit manufacturers. That’s why Wetsuit Wearhouse offers a range of curvy women’s wetsuits and big and tall men’s wetsuits from size-inclusive brands. Cotton underwear, for example, is not a good idea: it absorbs water, dries slowly, and can cause chafing as you move. Loose-fitting clothing is also not recommended, as it can bunch up and fold under your wetsuit, which not only feels uncomfortable but also affects the fit of the suit.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.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.Wetsuits are typically made of neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber that is waterproof and provides insulation. Drysuits are made of a variety of materials, including rubber, plastic, and Gore-Tex, and have a loose-fitting design to allow for layers of clothing to be worn underneath.
Are there wetsuits that keep you dry?
A tight-fitting wetsuit allows some water into the suit; that thin layer of water is heated by the wearer’s body and helps to insulate against the loss of body heat. In contrast, a watersport drysuit keeps all water out. Flexible rubber seals and waterproof zippers create a watertight layer. A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.Neoprene Tops and Shorts A 1-2mm neoprene top and shorts will give a good extra layer of warmth, more so than thermals and will give your core extra protection. Go for zip free options to wear under wetsuits, so you don’t get marks. Zips can get really uncomfortable when pressed close to you under the wetsuit.The 5/4/3 is a fullsuit/steamer wetsuit with 5mm neoprene around the torso, 4mm neoprene around the legs and 3mm neoprene around the arms. This is a popular choice for winter surfing in cool climates and is usually paired with a 5mm hood, glove and booties for optimum insulation and reasonable levels of flexibility.So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently. Also wearing anything under an already tight-fitting wetsuit will reduce flexibility, so if you want the maximum range of movement in your wetsuit, it’s probably best to wear nothing under it.Can you swim in a 5mm wetsuit? Yes, you can swim in a 5mm neoprene thickness, but it depends on the activity and conditions: Pros: A 5mm wetsuit provides excellent insulation, making it ideal for cold water swimming.
Is it better to size up or down in wetsuits?
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. Your wetsuit should have a good seal at the neck, sleeve and ankle hem so that water cannot ingress easily. If your wetsuit doesn’t fit to your body properly, cold water won’t get trapped in the neoprene and will cause you to feel the chill a lot quicker.It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees.Get it Wet Wearing your wetsuit in water helps it adapt more quickly to your shape. Take a short swim or soak it before your first full session.Just like above, we’d highly recommend that if you want to wet a wetsuit before putting it on, then make sure you’re wet too. If you’re wet and the suit is dry, that could lead to tears or damage to the suit because you’re trying to finagle your way in something that’s just not working.
How to size a wetsuit for swimming?
It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees. Despite their name, wetsuits do not entirely dry you out. They instead produce a thin water barrier between the suit and your skin. After reaching body temperature, this layer becomes an insulating barrier. Wetsuits maintain this layer of warmth to keep you warm even when you’re submerged in chilly water.Thermals When you are planning on being in cold water, then thermal tops and shorts are soft, cosy and add an extra layer of warmth under your wetsuit. Perfect for colder days or for those that really feel the cold.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.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.Back-zip. Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of.