Do open water swimmers wear wetsuits?
Wetsuits are an essential part of open water swimming for many reasons. They provide thermal insulation, buoyancy, and protection from the elements, such as jellyfish stings or rocky surfaces. 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.In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves 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.We recommend investing in a properly fitting wetsuit. Swimming with a wetsuit in open water is generally safer, especially in water around 18°C or lower, as it helps you retain warmth and improve your buoyancy. A swimming-specific wetsuit has the best flexibility, buoyancy, and warmth.Wetsuits may feel tight around your neck if you’re not used to them – different brands and styles have higher/lower necks so find what works for you. Suits should feel like they are gently compressing you all over. Although they should be tight, you should be able to stretch to your full stroke in it.
Can you use the same wetsuit for diving and open water swimming?
Not all neoprene is made the same. If you have a triathlon, swimming, or surfing wetsuit you will destroy it if you use it for diving. The neoprene used to make wetsuits for surface sports will crush at depth. Your 3. 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.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.Neoprene: The Shield Against UV Rays The dense structure of neoprene prevents the penetration of both UVA and UVB rays, effectively safeguarding the skin covered by the wetsuit. This means that areas of the body covered by a neoprene wetsuit are well-protected from sun exposure.A 5mm neoprene thickness is ideal for water temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, offering warmth and a fair amount of flexibility for activities like surfing or diving. In warmer waters above 15°C, it may feel too warm, and a thinner wetsuit (3mm or 2mm) is a better choice.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.
How to choose a wetsuit for 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. It’s not just the sleekness of the neoprene that can be different in swimming and surfing wetsuits. Many swimming wetsuits are also built with slightly thicker, buoyant neoprenes around the core and legs that provide extra lift in the water.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.
What thickness wetsuit for open water swimming?
May 2025: We are concerned at the growing number of brands who are stating they are selling “open water swimming wetsuits” but these are not safe open water swimming wetsuits. A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. 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.Can you swim in open water wearing a normal wetsuit? Obviously you can wear a normal wetsuit or surfing wetsuit for open-water swimming or wild swimming – nobody’s going to stop you. You just won’t go as fast or feel as comfortable.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.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.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.
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. 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.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.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. Shell-style dry suits, add 10% of your body weight, plus 1.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.
What should you wear for open water swimming?
Open water swimming wetsuits offer you greater buoyancy and flexibility than traditional surfing wetsuits. Adapt to the unique demands of open water swimming with a swimming wetsuit that is designed to make you faster, safer and more comfortable in the water. Wetsuits help you swim faster by reducing drag and improving buoyancy, if it fits you properly. We would recommend you try on a suit before buying if possible, as wetsuit sizings vary from standard dress sizes and between wetsuit brands (some brands have a more athletic cut than others).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.