How to tell if a wetsuit is too small?
Obviously, it is also possible to have a wetsuit that’s too tight. If it constricts your breathing, if moving your arms up and down feels like you’re lifting deadweights, if you need to call the fire brigade to get it on or off, there is a chance your wetsuit is too small for you. Over time and with repeated use, the wetsuit will gradually stretch and mold to your body shape. If you’re concerned about how to stretch a wetsuit to make it more comfortable, simply wearing it in water regularly can help it conform to your shape.Additionally, wetsuits may stretch slightly over time with repeated use, but this is usually minimal and does not result in significant shrinkage. Only when thrown into hot water, the wetsuit might shrink.WETSUIT FIT: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR This is completely normal. Moving freely and being able to breath should obviously still be possible. After using your suit a couple of times it will slightly stretch because of the flexible neoprene material.If you buy a wetsuit in the wrong size, it isn’t going to stretch to fit you better. Sure, after many years of wear, the wetsuit might stretch out a bit, but you want to buy a wetsuit in the right size to begin with. It is also important to maintain good care of your wetsuit.
What happens if your wetsuit is too big?
If the suit is too big, it might be easy to get into, but in the water, it’s not going to function properly. You want your wetsuit to be tight everywhere, but it is most important that your wetsuit fits snuggly over the lower back and core. Big gaps in the back or over your chest will fill up with water and make you cold.For different top and bottom sizes, we recommend opting for a larger alternative of up to two sizes. Women’s wetsuits can sometimes feel slightly constricted around the neck, but this will feel more comfortable once you’re in the water.Obviously, it is also possible to have a wetsuit that’s too tight. If it constricts your breathing, if moving your arms up and down feels like you’re lifting deadweights, if you need to call the fire brigade to get it on or off, there is a chance your wetsuit is too small for you.Wetsuits should fit and feel tighter than clothing, and the wetsuit size you end up with may actually be one or two sizes bigger than your clothing size. So don’t rely on clothing size as an indicator for wetsuits! It’s also good to note that a perfect fitting wetsuit may take some work to get on and off.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.
Do wetsuits shrink if not used?
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. Rinse your wetsuit thoroughly with fresh water after every dive to remove urine residue. Use wetsuit shampoo occasionally to eliminate odors and reduce bacterial growth. After rinsing, hang your wetsuit to dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight to prevent material degradation.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.To wash your wetsuit, you’ll want to rinse it with cool or lukewarm fresh water after every use. It is important to rinse your wetsuit before it dries. This will ensure the efficient removal of dirt, sand, and other chemicals. If the suit dries before you rinse it, it will be more challenging to clean afterward.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.
Is it better to get a smaller or larger wetsuit?
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. Wetsuit sizing starts with understanding your body. To make sure your wetsuit fits properly, you need to take a few simple but accurate measurements. The most important ones are height, weight, chest or bust, waist, and for women, hips.Sports bras and appropriate underwear provide extra support and comfort under a wetsuit. A sports bra enhances warmth and helps prevent chafing and these undergarments ensure a snug fit, allowing for freedom of movement and added comfort during water activities.Swimwear is a practical choice to wear under a wetsuit – a bikini or swimming costume for women and swim trunks or swim shorts for men. Swimwear is designed to fit seamlessly against your body, and can also prevent chafing on those more ‘delicate’ areas, shall we say. It’s quick-drying, hygienic and comfortable.Wetsuits should be close fitting to your body without any bagginess, while still being able to move your arms and legs comfortably. However, it shouldn’t be too easy to get on and off, if it is easily done without much effort, it may be too big.
Is it better to have a tighter or looser wetsuit?
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. 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.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.Contrary to everyday clothes, most wetsuits come in many different sizes. In addition, they cater to people with different body types. Wetsuit sizes are built up by combining body height and chest and waist width. You can verify this by measuring your height, weight, chest and waist sizes.Here’s how to achieve the ideal wetsuit fit: Snug but Not Restrictive: The wetsuit should fit snugly around your body without restricting your breathing or movement. If you feel constricted or unable to bend comfortably, the wetsuit might be too small.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.
Should I hang or fold my wetsuit?
Leave Your Wetsuit Hanging! Whether you want to take the best care of your wetsuit after each surf, or hibernate your suit for the winter – the best option is to use a hanger. This prevents your wetsuit from creasing when you fold it up, and allows the wetsuit to breathe better; avoiding the potential for mould. Experts disagree on how to break in a wetsuit, or if this is even necessary. But, realistically, your wetsuit will become somewhat “broken in” the more you wear it and will slowly but surely conform and become a bit more comfortable.Step 4: Is the wetsuit too big? If the wetsuit is too loose, it will allow water to displace in the suit which can chill the body and stiffen up. It will make excess materials in areas like the armpits (what we call wing) which will result in chaffing and/or a bulky uncomfortable feeling.If you follow these basic care steps, your wetsuit should last at least a year. With occasional use and attentive care, wetsuits can last up to five years. Generally, the more flexible and high performance a suit is the shorter its lifespan. No matter what type of suit you own, it will have a shelf life.
What is the easiest wetsuit to put on?
Back-zip. Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of. Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of. However, the longer zipper tends to make the wetsuit less flexible and let more water into your suit.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.