Do wetsuits get bigger over time?
Wetsuits do stretch, and if they didn’t they wouldn’t be much use – you wouldn’t be able to get them on, for a start. Being elasticated, however, they should always resume their normal shape. If you’re wondering whether your wetsuit will “stretch out” over time, like the waistband of a pair of trousers, it won’t. 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.Soak It. As soon as you can, soak your wetsuit in cold or lukewarm freshwater (hot water can cause the suit to lose flexibility) with a mild solution of baking soda or wetsuit shampoo.WETSUIT LENGTH Thirdly, the sleeve should end right at your wrist. Lastly, check if the body length of the wetsuit is alright. Make sure your crotch is not baggy (too long) or pulling up too much (too short). If the body length is too long, you can experience wrinkles at the waist or bulging neoprene around the chest.Make sure you’ve got the wetsuit on right, as tightness problems around the neck and arms are often because you haven’t got it pulled up enough at the waist area. When you’ve pulled it up your legs, make sure it’s fully pulled up at to your crotch.
Do wetsuits shrink when wet?
Only when thrown into hot water, the wetsuit might shrink. Common ocean or pool water on the other hand does not impact the size of the wetsuit significantly. It’s only exposure to hot water, such as that from a hot tub or overly hot wash, that can cause shrinkage. If your wetsuit is too tight, you will feel uncomfortable and restricted as you swim. Usually, you can spot that your wetsuit is too small as it will be very hard to get into (harder than usual!Wetsuits do become more flexible when wet and will mould to the shape of your body so as we say a little space is fine. Our video walks you through how your new suit should fit. Once you have checked the knees and armpits, turn your attention to the wrist cuffs and the ankle cuffs.To Sum It Up 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. Opposites just don’t attract in this case, so don’t force it.If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”. Water sloshing around in your wetsuit isn’t conducive to you being the best you. You’ll feel cold, weighed down, and sad.
How tight is a wetsuit supposed to fit?
In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. GENERAL CARE To store your wetsuit it is best to hang on a wide suit-style jacket hanger to avoid creasing. You can hang the wetsuit in half on a wide pants hanger or from the shoulders like a shirt.If your suit is loose, an abundance of water will flush through, making the suit less effective at keeping you warm. A wetsuit should also fit snugly around your neck (many people wear a rashguard underneath their wetsuit to prevent a neck rash).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”.If the wetsuit is too big then excessive cold water will get in through the openings, and it will result in you getting flushed. Flushing is a surfing term that means that the thin layer of warm water in the wetsuit is getting flushed out and replaced with new, cold water.
Do wetsuits compress at depth?
As you go deeper underwater, the air compresses. This means that it takes up less space. The neoprene of the wetsuit will therefore compress during the way down. The thickness of the neoprene of your wetsuit will decrease and you will have a thinner protection between your skin and the cold water. 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.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.Neoprene Tops and Shorts A 1-2mm neoprene top and shorts will give a good extra layer of warmth, more so than thermals and will give your core extra protection. Go for zip free options to wear under wetsuits, so you don’t get marks. Zips can get really uncomfortable when pressed close to you under the wetsuit.More Buoyancy Full wetsuits are more buoyant than short suits, which can make diving and swimming easier. This extra buoyancy will also help keep your head above water after a wipeout when you’re surfing, skiing, or wakeboarding.A wetsuit that feels super comfortable on land may actually be too big, allowing water in while you swim which will make you cold and slow you down.
How to soften a wetsuit?
One effective method to soften a wetsuit is to soak it in a tub filled with lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the neoprene to absorb moisture and become more supple. After soaking, gently massage the wetsuit to help distribute the moisture evenly throughout the material. 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.While wetsuits are fantastic for staying warm in the water, they aren’t designed for all-day wear. Since wetsuits fit snugly to your body, wearing one for extended periods can lead to skin irritation, particularly around areas of friction.Just like with most things in life, wetsuits naturally lose warmth over time due to factors like neoprene degradation, frequent use, exposure to UV rays, and improper care.Yes, wetsuits do stretch a little over time. The neoprene material naturally adjusts to your body shape with repeated use.Once you get your wetsuit, (woo hoo! We are stoked too) try it on and make sure there is no excess material in the shoulders, under the arms, or legs. The wetsuit should feel like a second skin. You also want to make sure at the ankles is a nice seal so you don’t have water flushing up the leg.