Are Billabong wetsuits true to size?
Fit and Cut It’s snug but not constrictive at all. In my experience, Billabong wetsuits fit true to the size chart. I used to weigh in at 190, and the Large fits me like a glove. The only area I had issues with was getting my shoulders into the zipperless entry, which I will touch on next paragraph. Men can wear swim shorts, briefs or jammers under a wetsuit. We wouldn’t recommend boardshorts as your wetsuit is meant to be really tight and boardshorts are usually not. They tend to bunch up and could cause chafing and generally lead to discomfort.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 We wouldn’t recommend boardshorts as your wetsuit is meant to be really tight and boardshorts are usually not. They tend to bunch up and could cause chafing and generally lead to discomfort. Women can wear a swimsuit or bikini, it’s just important to pick the right one.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.
How long do Billabong wetsuits last?
Wetsuit Care FAQs With proper care and routine washing, a neoprene wetsuit should last one to two years for frequent (multiple times a week) surfers and longer – four to five years – for those who hit the waves less regularly. A wetsuit worn daily by a diving instructor may be worn out after two to three years, but less frequently used and well-maintained suits with high-quality materials can easily last 7 to 10 years.On average, a wetsuit lasts between 1 to 3 years, but this depends heavily on how often and how intensely you use it. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect.
Do you go commando in a wetsuit?
Some people do choose to wear nothing or “go commando” underneath their wetsuit – especially surfers. To some, the idea of a barrier between wetsuit and flesh is as distasteful and absurd as that of underwear to a kilt-wearing Highlands soldier. Wet Your Wetsuit Before Use In turn, it gets more pliable when wetted. Before getting your suit on for the first time in the spring, or after any lengthy dry spell, we always encourage you to dunk it in the sink or bath, and let the suit soak up a bit of hydration, before you get it wet in the lake or ocean for real.So, do you put on a wetsuit wet or dry? Totally up to you. 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.Swim Shorts for Men For comfort when taking part in activities, many men choose to wear tight fitting swim shorts under their wetsuit. This can minimise any chafing or irritation, and also makes changing easier.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”.You may not choose to wear these briefs to a beach, but they are the standard attire for wearing under your wetsuit. These MAKO lycra suits totally eliminate uncomfortable bulges, often experienced when wearing other shorts, such as board shorts, under your suit.
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. 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 main factor when considering what wetsuit thickness you need is the water temperature. After all, a wetsuit’s first job is to keep you warm, and the colder it is, the thicker the wetsuit will need to be to perform!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.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.
Can you wear a 3/2 wetsuit in 50 degree water?
If you want to keep surfing even as temperatures drop from 63° F to 52° F, a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm winter suit will be comfortable. And if you continue to surf in near-freezing waters, consider a 5/4 mm or even a 6/5 mm hooded winter suit. Wetsuit accessories like booties and gloves will also keep you warm. A 3mm wetsuit is ideal for UK summer months (June–September) when water temperatures range between 14–18°C, offering warmth and flexibility for surfing and swimming.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.Normally, the chest and back panels are made out of thicker neoprene foam for extra warmth. Arms, shoulders, and legs are usually thinner for more flexibility. Thin summer wetsuits range between 1mm and 3mm.