What is the difference between a wetsuit and a thermal wetsuit?
Now this might sound like nonsense, just some sciencey marketing talk, but here’s the thing: thermal wetsuits are noticeably lighter and more flexible than a neoprene wetsuit you’d need to maintain the same level of insulation. Very simply, they keep you warm and help you float. Extra warmth allows you to spend longer in the water or make you able to swim in cooler temperatures than if you’re only wearing a thin layer of lycra. Wetsuits keep you warm by holding a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit.Wetsuits use a layer of water (that is warmed by the wearer’s body) to help keep the body insulated, while drysuits use a layer of air and are fully sealed to prevent water from entering and coming into contact with the skin. The latter has the advantage here, as water conducts heat over 20 times faster than air.Wetsuits provide head-to-toe protection and warmth via insulating neoprene. A swimming wetsuit is the ultimate layering solution for swimmers.If your wetsuit already has a hood attached to it, you can add extra insulation to your core by wearing a 3mm shorty under or over your full wetsuit. In addition to a hooded vest, I find that some of the assorted thermal products made for layering under your wetsuit can make a big difference in your warmth.
How to pick a wetsuit for swimming?
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. 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.So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently. Also wearing anything under an already tight-fitting wetsuit will reduce flexibility, so if you want the maximum range of movement in your wetsuit, it’s probably best to wear nothing under it.Wearing a Wetsuit in the Pool Absolutely. Just always be sure to rinse the wetsuit thoroughly after you are finished and allow it to air dry (not in direct sunlight).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!
Is a 2mm wetsuit warm enough?
C) – This wetsuit thickness is recommended for the warmest sea temps you can expect in the UK during the peak of summer. Hood, gloves, and boots are not required in these temperatures. 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.Wearing a wetsuit in cold water can make your swim more enjoyable and swimming in a wetsuit can help make you a more efficient swimmer. The insulation, drag reduction, and buoyancy in wetsuits work together to give you more from your swim. If you’ve thought about swimming in a wetsuit, give it a try.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. If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”.
What are the disadvantages of wetsuits?
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. A wetsuit works by letting water in between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then warms up. However, this can still cause cold water shock, especially for first-time wetsuit swimmers. To prepare mentally, ease into the water slowly, splash water around your wrist and neck, and breathe deeply.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.How right fitting should a wetsuit be? In general, 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.Most available thermal swimwear can be worn in or out of the water (including salt, fresh or chlorine) and makes for great training attire, with plenty of styles around.Wetsuit use, both full-body-and sleeveless, improves performance by 3. Gay says. So the wetsuit improves performance, as the literature shows, but it will depend on the distance.
How thick is a thermal wetsuit?
Thicker neoprene provides better thermal insulation, making it suitable for colder conditions. Wetsuit thicknesses typically range from 2mm for summer suits to 7mm for extreme winter conditions.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.A 7mm wetsuit is highly recommended with the addition of the proper accessories such as a hooded vest.Nothing at all Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between you and your suit, your body then heats that water to help keep you warm. So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently.If temperatures drop below 10°C to around 9°C or 8°C, then you’ll likely need to upgrade your wetsuit thickness to 5mm. This is to accommodate the drop in water temperatures and the cold weather when you’re out of the water and on the beach.
What to know before buying a wetsuit?
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. 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.The biggest problem with swimming in a wetsuit is getting the fit right – which can be very challenging. Your wetsuit should be snug but not constrictive. Different brands fit different shapes, which may be why your most recent purchase is even worse than the previous.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.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.