How do I determine my wetsuit size?
To determine your wetsuit size, firstly measure your height from the bottom of your heels to the top of your head. Secondly, fill in your body weight. Generally this is a good indicator to estimate your chest and waist width. For instance, if you’re 180cm tall and weight 82kg, you’ll most likely fit a size Large. 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 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.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.Wetsuit thicknesses typically range from 2mm for summer suits to 7mm for extreme winter conditions. The ideal thickness and type of wetsuit you need depend on your location, the season, and the water temperatures you’ll be facing.
Should I size up or down for wetsuits?
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. 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.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 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.High-end wetsuits often have a short chest zip or no zip at all in some cases. Zipfree wetsuits are much harder to get into than wetsuits with zips. They are extremely flexible but require a bit of effort and skill to get into. They also have a bigger shoulder-opening compared to a chestzip wetsuit.O’Neill and Rip Curl seem to have the more reliable sizing for wetsuits. If you wear an LS in O’Neill, then order an LS, their tolerances are insanely accurate. For most companies, the accuracy of sizes is so much better now than in the past.
Are wetsuit sizes universal?
There are a lot of variants when it comes to wetsuit sizes. This can often lead to a bit of confusion when trying to figure out what the perfect fit is for you. Unfortunately, there is no universal wetsuit size chart that watersports brands adhere to. To determine your wetsuit size, firstly measure your height from the bottom of your heels to the top of your head. Secondly, fill in your body weight. Generally this is a good indicator to estimate your chest and waist width. For instance, if you’re 180cm tall and weight 82kg, you’ll most likely fit a size Large.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.Tips for men’s wetsuit sizing measure the chest at the widest point, the tape should be gently snug. It’s generally okay for the wetsuit to be a little on the long side. Ensure the wetsuit is tight around the neck, wrists, ankles and lower back. This does not mean restrictive.The fit and feel of a swim wetsuit is super important – if a wetsuit doesn’t fit, it doesn’t work. Wetsuits work by trapping a very thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene, and then using the heat from your body to warm it up.
Should wetsuits be skin tight?
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. Expect a slight restriction in movement, especially if it’s new, as most wetsuits stretch slightly over time. Check the fit around critical areas: the neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug to prevent water from flushing in, but not so tight that they feel painful.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.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.You are correct in that the elasticity of a wetsuit will change. A suit that is used daily will stretch out over time, whereas in contrast, a suit that is never used will begin to harden and seem to have “shrunk” when put on.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.
How to tell if a wetsuit is too big?
Some things to look out for and avoid with a swim wetsuit are excess material behind your knees, at the lumber panel around your back, and around your armpits. Excess material around the forearms or lower legs isn’t ideal but a little bit of bunching won’t affect your suit’s performance to the same extent. Despite their name, wetsuits do not entirely dry you out. They instead produce a thin water barrier between the suit and your skin. After reaching body temperature, this layer becomes an insulating barrier. Wetsuits maintain this layer of warmth to keep you warm even when you’re submerged in chilly water.Wetsuit Guide: Pro Tips for Longevity and Easy Maintenance. A wetsuit is an essential item for water sports lovers, as such, over their lifetime of 4-10 years, issues like tears, holes and broken zips can arise.COMBAT SWIMMER WETSUITS. These wetsuits are specifically designed for combat swimmers and are typically worn during amphibious operations. They are made of a lightweight, breathable material that allows the SEALs to move quickly through the water while providing some insulation.A good-quality wetsuit usually costs around $200 to $400, offering the perfect balance between durability, comfort, and performance. Higher-end options may cost more, but they provide better insulation and flexibility. Can I rent a wetsuit?The quick answer to the question of what to wear under a wetsuit is – it can be either nothing at all, a thin garment like a rash vest, compression shorts or bikini for comfort or for extra warmth a thermal hooded rash vest.
Do O’Neill wetsuits stretch?
The key stand-out feature of the Hyperfreak is its TB3x Neoprene, which can be found in the arms, shoulders, and upper chest/back of the wetsuit. TB3x has a fleece-like feel compared to other standard nylon-lined neoprene, and with that comes insane stretch. Hands down, this is the stretchiest neoprene on the market. Expensive wetsuits are often made from higher-quality neoprene, which offers better flexibility, warmth, and durability. High-end neoprene like Yamamoto, known for its superior warmth and stretch, is commonly found in pricier models.After every session, you have to wash your wetsuit in order to get it fresh and ready for the next one. Apart from eliminating sand, salt, and odors, regular care will make your wetsuit last much longer. The good news is that washing your wetsuit isn’t that hard.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.The right blend makes the difference – with modern material mixes, you can find very comfortable and elastic materials that are still very durable – although this comes at a cost. Typically, a good quality wetsuit should last at least two years, but generally around five years or more, even with heavy use.