Do you float better in a wetsuit?
Whether you’re surfing, learning how to dive, or swimming in open water, staying afloat with minimal effort is key to both safety and performance. This is where wetsuits come into play, offering not only thermal protection but also a significant boost in buoyancy. 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 reason to choose black as a wetsuit colour is, that black is the natural colour of neoprene. Besides that, psychological reasons, the thermal efficiency and a black wetsuit being THE classic style explain why black is the preferred colour for a wetsuit.Carbon black is used in the production of neoprene to offer protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It traps photons emitted from sunlight. Darker colours like black and navy blue absorb UV rays more rapidly than lighter shades like a white wetsuit.High-end 3/2 wetsuits feature premium neoprene, advanced seam sealing, and thermal liners designed for lightweight warmth and max flexibility. They’re also more durable and comfortable over long sessions. Are high-end wetsuits worth the price? If you surf often or demand high performance, yes.
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. While wetsuits are fantastic for staying warm in the water, they aren’t designed for all-day wear. Since wetsuits fit snugly to your body, wearing one for extended periods can lead to skin irritation, particularly around areas of friction.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. If you’re unsure, try out some options before settling on what suits you best.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.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.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.
Do you swim faster in a wetsuit?
A properly fitted wetsuit should improve your body position and give you a speed boost of 7–10 seconds per 100m — sometimes up to 30 seconds if it really helps lift your legs. So if you’re going slower outside than in the pool… something’s off. 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.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.Surfers wear wetsuits to trap a thin layer of body-warmed water, maintain core temperature in cold conditions, shield against abrasions and UV radiation, and boost buoyancy—letting them stay in the water longer, surf harder, and recover faster.Rinse It on the Regular After each surf session rinse your wetsuit in a bucket, bath or shower of cold, fresh, non-salty water. Yes, for sure it’s tempting to get in the shower fully-suited and whack the heat up high, but it won’t do your wetsuit any good.
Does a 3mm wetsuit help you float?
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.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves (if full-length) should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene. Wetsuits fit more snugly than clothing.The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water. Wetsuit thickness usually ranges from 2mm for hot summer days to 7mm for very cold conditions.On average, a wetsuit can add anywhere from two to three pounds (or more) of buoyancy. That’s like having your own personal floatation device. The thicker the neoprene, the higher the buoyancy.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.
What do you do if you have to pee in a wetsuit?
Needless to say, we are talking about peeing in wetsuits in the water. If you have to do it, do it at the beginning of the dive. The water will have time to rinse off the urine. Just before getting out of the water, open your wetsuit and let the water run inside. 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.As a result, if you don’t rinse your wetsuit, all those bodily fluids are likely going to stay on the surface of the inside of your suit, and ferment even more.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.Most likely over 90% of all wetsuit users (so our divers, surfers and other watersport enthusiasts) have peed, or choose to regularly pee, in their wetsuits! On a personal note, I used to pee in my suit, however stopped about ten years ago after it kept giving me a rash that looked like prickly heat.Wearing a wet bathing suit can increase the spread of bacteria. But it will not cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). To reduce your risk of getting a UTI, always wipe from front to back. Empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need to go.