How tight should a 7mm wetsuit be?
Thicker wetsuits may reduce this range of motion slightly, so take this into account before going up a size in 5mm and 7mm suits. Seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but not too tight, and the suit should conform to your body everywhere. 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.A wetsuit should fit as tightly as you can comfortably get into. What you need to avoid are slack areas where water can pool, or loose seals around the ankles, wrists, and neck. If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”.Wetsuits of 7mm or thicker should be worn when water temperatures are between 45 and 60 degrees F. A 7mm SCUBA diving wetsuit is designed with thicker neoprene to provide essential insulation and warmth in colder waters, without sacrificing mobility.This is a practice known as going commando. Because of the wetsuit’s tight fit, wearing anything under it can feel unpleasant at times. Wearing nothing between your wetsuit and your skin reduces the quantity of water that can enter. You’ll be warmer if you decide to go nude beneath your wetsuit.
Is a 7mm wetsuit good?
A 7mm is generally recommended for water temps between 50 and 70 F, but individual cold tolerance varies so dramatically that some will be fine at 50 and below even in a 5mm, while others will want a drysuit at 70. For me, in the local temperatures, a 5mm is not enough but a 7mm generally is. A 7mm wetsuit provides excellent thermal insulation and protection. These wetsuits are thicker than most wetsuits on the market and therefore provide excellent insulation and protection from cold conditions.For different top and bottom sizes, we recommend opting for a larger alternative of up to two sizes. Women’s wetsuits can sometimes feel slightly constricted around the neck, but this will feel more comfortable once you’re in the water.The thickness of the wetsuit also plays a role—the thicker the neoprene, the more buoyant the wetsuit will be. This buoyancy can be a significant advantage for swimmers, surfers, and other water sports enthusiasts, as it helps keep the body higher in the water, reducing drag and making swimming or paddling easier.Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between you and your suit, your body then heats that water to help keep you warm. So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently.
How much weight do I need for a 7mm wetsuit?
If you have the PADI Advanced Open Water manual you can check their buoyancy guidelines in their ‘Peak Performance Buoyancy’ chapter for more detail – but it goes something like this depending on the wetsuit and diving equipment: 3mm shorty: 5% body weight. At that point, 7mm neoprene foam has become solid neoprene less than 2mm thick. In this case, the buoyancy shift between the surface and 100 feet can be more than 20 pounds from the wetsuit alone.If you have the PADI Advanced Open Water manual you can check their buoyancy guidelines in their ‘Peak Performance Buoyancy’ chapter for more detail – but it goes something like this depending on the wetsuit and diving equipment: 3mm shorty: 5% body weight. Aluminium tank: Add 2kg/ 4lbs.
Can you swim in a 7mm wetsuit?
Wetsuits provide maximum buoyancy and are often used in very cold water or by divers needing extra flotation. Some wetsuits have varying thicknesses across the body, for example, 4/3mm wetsuits have 4mm in the torso for warmth and 3mm in the limbs for flexibility. A 7mm is generally recommended for water temps between 50 and 70 F, but individual cold tolerance varies so dramatically that some will be fine at 50 and below even in a 5mm, while others will want a drysuit at 70. For me, in the local temperatures, a 5mm is not enough but a 7mm generally is.A well-fitted wetsuit will fit snugly and provide enough range of motion to touch your toes, stretch your arms, and turn your body. Thicker wetsuits may reduce this range of motion slightly, so take this into account before going up a size in 5mm and 7mm suits.Wetsuits If you’re inclined to surf at water temperatures ranging from 42°- 50° F, you should have a 5/4 mm winter wetsuit. These fullsuits come with hoods, and accessories like booties and gloves are no longer optional.A 7mm SCUBA diving wetsuit is designed with thicker neoprene to provide essential insulation and warmth in colder waters, without sacrificing mobility. Choose a hooded fullsuit for maximum coverage, and add wetsuit accessories like gloves and boots to keep your extremities warm in colder waters.
Can a wetsuit be too thick?
If the wetsuit is too thick, you may overheat and become fatigued. If the wetsuit is too thin, you may become cold and your movements may be restricted. The ideal thickness for a wetsuit depends on the water temperature and your personal tolerance for cold. Wetsuits are suitable cold water gear and will keep you warm. However, depending on water temperature, when dealing with extreme conditions, we suggest using a drysuit. Conversely, drysuits anticipate the wearer being dry, with their construction and materials engineered to be completely watertight.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.Wetsuit Wearhouse is committed to sourcing the very best wetsuits made in the USA. Handcrafted wetsuits offer the perfect layer of protection from cooler water temperatures and provide added confidence in quality, performance and durability.What are the disadvantages of a wetsuit? The main disadvantage of wetsuits is that they can still be quite cold in colder water temperatures, as they allow water to enter and then warm up against the body. They also require more frequent replacement than drysuits, as the neoprene material can degrade over time.The average wetsuit cost ranges from $100 to $300 for standard models, while premium wetsuits with advanced materials and features can exceed $500–$800. Entry-level wetsuits for beginners may cost as little as $60–$100, but their durability and performance are limited.
Is it okay to wear nothing under a wetsuit?
Yes, it is. Many people choose to wear nothing under their wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed to fit snugly against your body, and the fewer layers underneath, the better the insulating effect. For some, this is the most comfortable option, especially during short sessions or in warm conditions. Too much water ingress If your suit is constantly allowing water in, this will flush through the suit meaning your skin is constantly exposed to new cold water and you will not stay warm. If a wetsuit is very big on you, water will flush through, affect your swimming and create drag.While peeing in a wetsuit might provide a momentary illusion of warmth, it does not contribute to long-term thermal comfort and can even be counterproductive in cold environments.However, it may not be as comfortable for everyone. Ultimately, what you wear under your wetsuit is your choice. Whether you choose swim shorts, a swimsuit, a bikini, a rash vest, or nothing at all, the goal is optimum comfort, ease of movement and total confidence when in the water.