How thick should a wetsuit be for open water swimming?
As long as it fits and you swam in it before. 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.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.The heat retention effect of Open-Cell neoprene is so extreme that a good fitting 5mm open cell wetsuit will keep a diver warm for 40-50 minutes in ice water (0c temperature).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.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 do you wear under a wetsuit open water swim?
Swimwear: Opt for a thin, form-fitting swimsuit or triathlon suit under your wetsuit. Avoid bulky clothing that could impede your movement or create discomfort. Anti-Chafing Cream: Apply anti-chafing cream to areas prone to friction, such as the neck, armpits, and inner thighs. 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.Comfort and Skin Irritation Diving shorts or rash vest for the upper body creates a smooth barrier between your skin and the wetsuit, helping to prevent chafing and irritation. This is often the choice of scuba divers but can still be a tactic applied by open water swimmers.Description. A rash guard shirt is usually worn by itself when surfing in weather too warm for a wetsuit to prevent chafing from sliding on and off of the waxed surface of the surf board.Getting your wetsuit size right is very important. It should feel snug without being too restrictive, and there shouldn’t be any gaps between your skin and the wetsuit. It should also fit high on the neck to create a seal to stop water from getting in.
How to buy a wetsuit for open water swimming?
The key is finding the sweet spot between thickness, buoyancy and mobility. A thinner wetsuit will provide less warmth and buoyancy but more mobility, and a thicker wetsuit will keep you warmer and buoyant but can be more constrictive and uncomfortable for swimming. 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.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.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.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.
When to wear a wetsuit open water swimming?
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. 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.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.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.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.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.
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. Pleasure and pain, however, are never far apart. If you have booked a surf, paddleboard or kayaking lesson and will be using a rental wetsuit then you need to wear swimwear underneath for hygiene reasons. If you forgot your swimwear, you can wear your underwear, it’s not ideal, but definitely better than wearing nothing.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.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.Back-zip. Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of.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.
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. Urine, if not properly rinsed out, can lead to unpleasant smells and degrade the material of the wetsuit over time. To prevent this, follow these basic hygiene practices. After diving, thoroughly rinse the wetsuit with fresh water to remove salt, urine, and other contaminants.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.
Why don’t open water swimmers wear wetsuits?
One of the main complaints of open-water swimming is the fact that, more often than not, you have to wear a wetsuit. While wetsuits keep you warm and afloat, many restrict your arm movement, making your stroke, pace, and energy deteriorate. Additionally, the sleeves contribute to increased buoyancy, aiding in flotation and ensuring proper body position for efficient swimming strokes. On the other hand, sleeveless wetsuits provide greater freedom of movement in the arms, allowing for a more natural and unrestricted swim stroke.Neoprene Wetsuits are not High Tech… So does just staying at home if the water or air temperatures are too chilly. But neoprene wet suits can also be cold and clammy feeling. They don’t breath, and have no ability to adapt as the day gets hotter.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.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.Sleeveless wetsuits also have a quicker transition time as they’re easier to put on and take off, allowing you to shave seconds off your overall race time. On the other hand, long sleeve wetsuits are a better choice for those swimming in colder waters.