Do I need a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
The 5mm is usually forgotten about as people usually select the 7mm for cold water/winter season and the 3mm for summer/warm tropical waters. But the 5mm is the perfect option for people who get too warm in a 7mm, yet too cold in a 3mm. The 5mm can be used for those in-between seasons when it’s not cold, yet not warm. 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 drysuit is looser fitting and uses air to insulate instead of water, which reduces heat loss more than a wetsuit. With the addition of thermal clothing, you’ll feel warmer during dives.A wetsuit should fit like a second skin. It should feel tight but not restrictive, with no gaps in the nooks and crannies of your body such as under your arms, the lower back and behind the knees.Ensure You’re 100% Dry: We don’t recommend putting on your wetsuit while you’re wet. It will take forever! Give yourself time to air dry or liberally towel off before suiting up. Use a Bag and a Chair: A plastic grocery bag can be a huge help for getting the suit over your feet and hands.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.Water temperatures between 64-77°F (18-24°C): A shorty wetsuit with a thickness of at least 2mm is recommended. Water temperatures above 77°F (25°C): A shorty wetsuit with a thickness of at least 1. 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.A wetsuit’s thickness is based on the measurement of the internal foam core. In general, the thicker the foam core, the warmer the suit. On the flip side, the thinner the foam core, the more lightweight and flexible the suit. Water temperature is the main factor in determining the right wetsuit thickness for you.Unfortunately, a wetsuit that is too thick does have a few downsides. It doesn’t allow you to lose excess heat and can make you feel too hot. Additionally, the thick neoprene fabric on the arms and legs can limit your range of movement, which is not what you want when surfing, swimming, windsurfing or kitesurfing.The most common thickness for a winter wetsuit is 5/4 mm, also called a 5. It is slightly warmer than a 5/3 mm due to the extra millimetre thickness in the arms.
What temp is 2mm wetsuit for?
A 2 mm shorty is suited for water temperatures between 18°and 20Celsius (65° -70°Fahrenheit), and is a great summer suit for the UK and the rest of Europe. 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.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.Cons of Using Wetsuits While wetsuits offer great insulation, they are bulkier and restrict mobility more compared to spring suits. The thicker neoprene material limits flexibility, making paddling and maneuvering slightly more challenging.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.Is a 5mm wetsuit too warm? 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.
How cold is too cold for a wetsuit?
When the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees, wetsuits are strongly encouraged, and some races may require their use. Between 65 and 78 degrees, it’s typically the athlete’s choice of whether to wear a wetsuit. When buying your suit, consider: Fit: A wetsuit should be snug but comfortable. A too-loose fit will allow water to flood the suit, undermining its warmth, while a too-tight suit can be constricting and uncomfortable. Thickness: Wetsuit materials come in a range of finely tuned thicknesses.Will an affordable wetsuit last? Many affordable wetsuits hold up just fine. Look for Reinforced knees, Internal seam taping, and a Brand reputation for quality materials. For heavy use, consider investing in a suit with higher-end construction or being ready for a replacement every 1–2 seasons.Expensive wetsuits are typically made with higher-quality materials that will last longer. They also usually have added features, such as a built-in hood or different types of closures. An entry-level system with superior design, quality, flexibility, durability, and neoprene will always make a wetsuit more expensive.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.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.
What thickness wetsuit for winter?
A 6mm surfing wetsuit is designed for use during the coldest winter months. This thickness is one of the thickest offered by the well-known brands and these suits commonly include a hood for additional warmth. Thin summer wetsuits range between 1mm and 3mm. Spring or autumn wetsuits are normally made with 4mm and 3mm panels. You’ll find winter wetsuits in 5/4mm or 6/4mm.C. This is generally between November, December and January, and depending on how cold the year has been in general, it may even last as far as into February.Unlike thicker wetsuits, which are better suited for colder water temperatures, 1mm springsuits are ideal for more mild conditions. A key feature of 1mm springsuits is their flexibility. The thin neoprene material allows for a full range of motion, enabling water sports enthusiasts to move freely in the water.In general, you’ll want a 3 mm wetsuit for warm water diving, a 5 mm wetsuit for temperate water diving, and a 7 mm or thicker wetsuit for cold water diving.
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. As depicted in the chart, wetsuit thickness ranges from 2mm to 6mm.A 5/4/3 wetsuit combines three different neoprene thicknesses: 5mm torso – 4mm legs – 3mm arms.Wetsuit Thickness Guide Thin, light and stretchy, 1-2mm neoprene protects you from UV rays and provides a little extra warmth in water temperatures of 17°C and above.MM WETSUIT: WATER TEMPERATURES AROUND 12~15°C A 4/3 mm wetsuit thickness is ideal for most surfers in western Europe that want to surf from spring all the way to the beginning of winter.