Are shorty wetsuits good for swimming?
A shorty wetsuit assures your core body warmth but warms little else. Wetsuits are slick in water and may provide less drag than a human’s skin, but it depends on the person’s own skin, ability and strength as to how much it benefits or restricts swimming. Moderate Water (20-24°C/68-75°F): A 5-7mm wetsuit may be appropriate for water with moderate temperatures.Reading the temperature guide Generally, you’ll find yourself using wetsuits that fall in the middle of the spectrum. For instance, a 3mm shortie or steamer is perfect for water temperatures between 18° and 24°C (65° – 75°F) and serves as an ideal high summer suit for the UK and other parts of Europe.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.Shorty wetsuits are best suited for warmer water conditions, offering a balance of sun protection and insulation in mildly cool waters. The short sleeves and legs provide freedom of movement for activities like snorkeling or paddleboarding in moderate temperatures.
What type of wetsuit is best for swimming?
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.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.Buy a swimming specific wetsuit With the more continuous motion of swimming, all over thickness of the wetsuit for warmth is not required. Instead, a thinner suit with carefully positioned panels allow more flexibility in areas such as the arms and legs and thicker panels for warmth on the and buoyancy.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”.
Should I buy a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
You can dive a 5 mm in any temperature, even very warm without overheating. It just doesn’t do that much. I’ve done long dives in the low 80s and gotten cold when the dive exceeds 1 hour in a 3 mm. The Proteus II is the highest performing dive wetsuit on the market. Available in 3mm and 5mm, the Proteus II is often the benchmark to which other dive wetsuits are compared in terms of warmth.Wetsuits are essential water sports apparel, as well as for any activity in cold water. That being said, you’ll often find them being used for activities like surfing, snorkeling, diving suits, and even boating. Wetsuits are available in varying thicknesses, typically from 2mm to 8mm.Shorty Wetsuit Thinnest option available. Super lightweight and stretchy, so no paddle exhaustion or overheating.Thermal Layers In colder waters, thermal layers can enhance warmth and comfort. Thermal Rash Guards: Designed for insulation, these are made from materials like neoprene or fleece-lined fabric. Neoprene Shorts or Tops: Add extra warmth without too much bulk. These pair well with wetsuits in extremely cold conditions.
Should I get a shorty or full wetsuit?
If you’re into watersports — especially water skiing, surfing, or wakeboarding — then this can play a big factor in what type of suit you wear. A short wetsuit will provide far better mobility than a full suit, especially around your joints, when you’re riding. 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.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.Wetsuits are designed to provide thermal protection from the cold water by securing your body’s heat. Unlike dry suits, which use air and multiple under-layers to retain heat (more on that in a minute), wetsuits insulate our body’s natural heat via a thin layer of water and the suit’s material.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.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.
Is it better for a wetsuit to be tight or loose?
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. On the other hand, a shorty wetsuit is a wetsuit with short sleeves and short legs. It offers less coverage compared to a spring suit and is designed for use in warmer water conditions. Shorty wetsuits are popular choices for activities such as snorkeling, paddleboarding, or surfing in tropical waters.If you’re not used to a wetsuit or yours doesn’t fit, you may have a problem. It could end up causing your technique to change and affect your breathing rhythm. Both of which will lead to a slower swim!So along with general hygiene, wearing something under the suit will make your session on the water more enjoyable. So if you’re renting a wetsuit, use whatever you have available for you on the day, whether that’s swimming shorts, bikini, rash vest or even normal underwear.If you’re into watersports — especially water skiing, surfing, or wakeboarding — then this can play a big factor in what type of suit you wear. A short wetsuit will provide far better mobility than a full suit, especially around your joints, when you’re riding.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.
Is a 5mm wetsuit too thick for swimming?
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.Thinner neoprene is used in the arms and shoulders for better flexibility, while slightly thicker neoprene at the hips helps your body sit higher in the water. If you tend to drag your feet while swimming, look for a wetsuit with thicker neoprene in the legs to help lift your feet and improve your technique.If you surf much during winter or early mornings you can get the warmer 4/3mm thickness for just a bit more than the 3/2. Wetsuits are typically made with thicker (3 or 4mm) panels at the legs and trunk, and thinner panels around the arms where more flexibility is needed.
Why don’t open water swimmers wear wetsuits?
The first thing to consider is the weather and water temperature. If the air temperature is warm, then you probably don’t need a wetsuit—unless the water temperature is much colder than the air temperature. In this case, a wetsuit will help keep your body temperature regulated and prevent hypothermia from setting in. 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.A suit that’s too small could cause a feeling of tightness, making it difficult to breathe and preventing you from moving your body in a way that’s comfortable for you. On the other hand, a suit that’s too big will let water in, which will negatively affect your buoyancy and body temperature.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.Buy a swimming specific wetsuit With the more continuous motion of swimming, all over thickness of the wetsuit for warmth is not required. Instead, a thinner suit with carefully positioned panels allow more flexibility in areas such as the arms and legs and thicker panels for warmth on the and buoyancy.