How much should I pay for a good wetsuit?
Beginners should expect to spend $80–$150 for entry-level suits, while recreational surfers and divers should budget $180–$300 for better durability and comfort. Cold-water athletes need to prepare for $400–$600 wetsuits to ensure safety and insulation, and triathletes or pro divers often invest $500–$800+. In general, the low end is typically around $50 for shorty springsuits, while fullsuits typically start around the $75 range. On the high end, prices typically top out around $500. So how much does a wetsuit cost?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.THE SCIENCE BEHIND WETSUIT THICKNESS Your body heats that water, and the neoprene helps retain the warmth. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water.There are four key attributes to consider when selecting the right wetsuit: Warmth, Flexibility, Durability, and Fit. Balancing these four attributes makes the perfect wetsuit.Shorty wetsuits are suitable for warmer waters where overheating might be a concern, as they provide sufficient core insulation while allowing for better ventilation of the limbs. In contrast, full wetsuits are designed for colder waters, offering comprehensive insulation to maintain body warmth.
How to pick a wetsuit?
There are four key attributes to consider when selecting the right wetsuit: Warmth, Flexibility, Durability, and Fit. Balancing these four attributes makes the perfect wetsuit. The wetsuit should feel tight but not constricting. It should fit like a second skin, allowing minimal water to enter. A small amount of water inside the suit is normal, as your body warms it up and it helps maintain warmth. You should be able to move and breathe comfortably without the suit pinching or pulling.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.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.Nothing at all 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.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.
How to size a wetsuit for swimming?
In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves 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. 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.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.Fit is everything, and to ensure you don’t feel any nasty shocks of cold water, you need to get the size right. A wetsuit should fit like a second skin. The wetsuit needs to heat a thin layer of water evenly around your body to regulate your body heat. So, it needs to be tight to your body.What are the disadvantages of a wetsuit? 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.
Do I need a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
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. Step 2: Should you size up or down in a wetsuit? In this case, we’d recommend selecting the next largest size. While we don’t want excess material, mobility is important when surfing and we don’t want the size of your wetsuit to limit your motion.Comfort fit: Ideal for those new to swim wetsuits. It offers a slightly looser fit, making the suit easier to put on and take off. Performance fit: Provides a snug fit with some compression, maximising drag reduction and swimming efficiency. A correctly fitting wetsuit should sit about 1–15cm above your ankle.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.You should always consider personal comfort and the sizing guidelines, but if you’re between sizes, it’s usually recommended to go with the smaller size. This helps ensure a snug fit and comfort underwater. Just remember, it’s essential that the wetsuit is not too tight.
Do guys wear anything under a wetsuit?
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. 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.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.Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.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.
Are Aldi wetsuits any good?
Please avoid buying any wetsuits from Sports Direct or Aldi. They will be very poor quality and probably not the right size. We’ve recently reviewed the best women’s wetsuits available in the UK, have a read of the article here. While many wetsuits can cost upwards of £300, Aldi’s watersports range costs between £12. Not only is each suit UV resistant and windproof, but they also have slip-resistant panels and are packed in a reusable knitted bag for storage and transportation.