What wetsuit do I need for winter surfing?
They will often come with a range of features specifically designed to keep you warm as the water temperature starts to seriously dip. The most common thickness for a winter wetsuit is 5/4 mm, also called a 5. It is slightly warmer than a 5/3 mm due to the extra millimetre thickness in the arms. The main body panels and upper legs are 5mm in thickness, while the arms, shoulders and back of the lower legs are made with 4mm panels.As a rule of thumb, 3mm thickness is suitable for water temperatures between 58°F / 14. C and 61°F / 16°C. The best thermal wetsuits we’ve reviewed above tend to have 5mm thickness on your body / core. This should keep you warm when winter sea temperatures drop to 50°F / 10°C and slightly lower.For cold water surfing, you’ll need a full-length wetsuit, often called a “steamer,” made from thick neoprene. A good quality wetsuit will have sealed seams to prevent water from entering, and will fit snugly to prevent water from flushing through the suit.The numbers 5/3, 4/3 and 3/2, etc, refer to the thickness of the neoprene in millimetres and therefore describe how warm the wetsuit is. A 5/3 wetsuit will be 5 mm thick on the trunk and 3 mm thick on the arms and legs. The same logic applies to 4/3 and 3/2 wetsuits that use thinner rubber and therefore aren’t as warm.If you’re primarily in warmer waters, a 3mm suit should be sufficient, if you’re primarily in waters where temperatures hover around the mid-teens, a 4mm suit should be more than enough. But if you plan to tackle cold waters or winter waves, a 5mm wetsuit will keep you toasty and ready for anything.
Is a 4:3 wetsuit too warm?
FULL. A bit thicker than the 3/2, the 4/3 wetsuit is a warmer option and a must have for all surfers in the North East. The 4/3 wetsuit features 4mm neoprene in the core and back with 3mm through the extremities. Surfers in NE typically wear these suits in the Spring and through the Fall and early Winter. 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.Swimwear is a practical choice to wear under a wetsuit – a bikini or swimming costume for women and swim trunks or swim shorts for men. Swimwear is designed to fit seamlessly against your body, and can also prevent chafing on those more ‘delicate’ areas, shall we say.Wearing a wetsuit keeps our body temperature significantly warmer and reduces the cold shock response. We strongly recommend that when you first go into cold water that it is done gradually.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.
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. 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.Below 50°F (10°C) and Lower: Drysuits are highly recommended for prolonged exposure to water temperatures in this range. These are considered very cold conditions, and without proper insulation, the risk of hypothermia increases significantly.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.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.Wetsuits are designed to keep us warm by retaining body heat. This is all well and good, but the increased body heat from swimming and the insulation from the wetsuit means we can’t offload this heat so easily, which could cause an increase in sweating (particularly in warmer water).
What is the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?
Wetsuits are made of neoprene and allow water to enter, which is then heated by the wearer’s body to keep them warm. Drysuits, on the other hand, are designed to keep the wearer completely dry, using a waterproof material and tight seals at the wrists, ankles, and neck. Wetsuit: Best for activities like swimming, surfing, and triathlons in moderate to cold water temperatures. Wetsuits allow a thin layer of water to enter, which your body warms to provide insulation. Drysuit: Ideal for diving, kayaking, or paddleboarding in extremely cold waters.For water temperatures ranging from 60°F to 65°F (15. C to 18. C), many swimmers will wear a wetsuit to prevent their core body temperature from dropping too quickly. For those venturing into colder waters (50°F to 59°F or 10°C to 15°C), a thicker wetsuit is required for adequate protection.WHAT WETSUIT DO I NEED? For water temperatures of 15°C to 25°C, a full length summer suit or a shorty is the ideal option. A full length summer suit will give you a little extra warmth in cooler water and a shorty is perfect for giving you just enough warmth without cooking you when the sun climbs during the day.If paddling is a huge part of your life and you’re on the water often in cold weather or cold water, a drysuit is your best choice. It’s a big investment but will be worth it in the long run. A drysuit is designed to be worn dry, but will keep you (mostly) dry in the event of a capsize.
Do thicker wetsuits keep you warmer?
The science behind wetsuit thickness 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. The color black helps retain body heat better than lighter colors, which is helpful for surfers, scuba divers, and swimmers who need to stay in the water longer and need optimum temperature regulation.The same goes for wetsuits as most people generally go for black especially with first-time purchases. They also look much better than other colors on most water goers with the result that they sell more. These attributes make black the best color when it comes to wetsuits.
Is a 3mm wetsuit ok for winter?
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. Wetsuit Buoyancy: Minimal buoyancy, about 1–2 pounds (0. Wetsuit Buoyancy: Moderate buoyancy, about 2–3 pounds (0. Wetsuit Buoyancy: High buoyancy, about 4–6 pounds (1. Wetsuit Buoyancy: Very high buoyancy, about 7–8 pounds (3.Medium thickness 5mm – 3/I6 inch two-piece wet suit, add 10% of your body weight. Cold-water 7mm – 1/4-inch two-piece wet suit with hood and boots, add 10% of your body weight, plus 1. Neoprene drysuits, add 10% of your body weight, plus 3 – 5 kg/7 – 10 lb.