Is a 3/2 or 4:3 wetsuit better?
A bit thicker than the 3/2, the 4/3 wetsuit is a warmer option and a must have for all surfers in the North East. The 4/3 wetsuit features 4mm neoprene in the core and back with 3mm through the extremities. Surfers in NE typically wear these suits in the Spring and through the Fall and early Winter. A 4/3 mm wetsuit thickness is ideal for most surfers in western Europe that want to surf from spring all the way to the beginning of winter. A 4/3 mm is most often classified as an all-season wetsuit rather than a full winter wetsuit, but for southern Europe, this is the perfect wetsuit to wear all winter.
Is a 5mm wetsuit too thick for summer?
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. 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.Fit: A wetsuit should be snug but comfortable. A too-loose fit will allow water to flood the suit, undermining its warmth, while a too-tight suit can be constricting and uncomfortable. Thickness: Wetsuit materials come in a range of finely tuned thicknesses.When buying your suit, consider: Fit: A wetsuit should be snug but comfortable. A too-loose fit will allow water to flood the suit, undermining its warmth, while a too-tight suit can be constricting and uncomfortable. Thickness: Wetsuit materials come in a range of finely tuned thicknesses.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.Medium thickness 5mm – 3/I6 inch two-piece wet suit, add 10% of your body weight. Cold-water 7mm – 1/4-inch two-piece wet suit with hood and boots, add 10% of your body weight, plus 1. Neoprene drysuits, add 10% of your body weight, plus 3 – 5 kg/7 – 10 lb.
Is a 3mm wetsuit ok for winter?
C to around 12°C, covering most of the year from April until late November. Normally you don’t wear anything under a wet suit, because your insulation is actually coming from the layer of water that gets trapped between your skin and the wetsuit.Customers find the wetsuit fits well and provides good value for money, keeping them warm in cold water and working well in the water. The quality receives mixed feedback, with some praising its construction while others report poor stitching.Wet suits don’t keep you dry, but they can keep you warm. Wet suits are made of waterproof, closed-cell, foam-rubber (neoprene) which insulates even when wet. The two main things that determine how warm you will be are the thickness of the neoprene and the snugness of the wet suit.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.Billabong wetsuits are available in a variety of styles and thicknesses, so you can find the right suit for your sport, no matter the water conditions or temperature.
What to wear under a wetsuit?
Swimwear 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. Very warm open water temperatures that will usually be found around the Caribbean and, in height of summer, the Middle East and the warmest parts of the Mediterranean. Temperatures will be similar to that of a heated pool. Swimming in a wetsuit in these temperatures is not advised due to a risk of overheating.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.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.While it’s not mandatory, wearing something under your wetsuit can help with comfort, warmth, and prevent chafing. Can I wear a bra under a wetsuit? For women, a sports bra designed for swimming is a good option.Your choice depends on several factors: Water Temperature: In water above 15°C (59°F), a wetsuit is usually sufficient. For colder conditions, a drysuit is recommended. Duration of Activity: For prolonged exposure, such as ice diving or cold-water kayaking, a drysuit offers better thermal protection.
Do thicker wetsuits keep you warmer?
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. One of the primary distinctions between scuba wetsuits and surfing wetsuits lies in their thickness and insulation. Scuba wetsuits are typically thicker to provide better insulation against cold water temperatures. This extra insulation helps divers stay warm during prolonged periods underwater.When you first get into the water in a wetsuit, you’re still going to feel the cold water. 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.Wetsuits are typically made of neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber that is waterproof and provides insulation. Drysuits are made of a variety of materials, including rubber, plastic, and Gore-Tex, and have a loose-fitting design to allow for layers of clothing to be worn underneath.When the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees, wetsuits are strongly encouraged, and some races may require their use. Between 65 and 78 degrees, it’s typically the athlete’s choice of whether to wear a wetsuit.
How much should a good wetsuit cost?
Recommended Budget for a Wetsuit This will give you several thickness options. The prices of decent fullsuits start at $100 for warm water surfing and over $300 for cold water surfing. But if you have extra money, spend it on suits that range from $200 to $350. Do wetsuits stretch over time? First, you have to remember that wetsuits are made for the water. 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.Recommended Budget for a Wetsuit The prices of decent fullsuits start at $100 for warm water surfing and over $300 for cold water surfing. But if you have extra money, spend it on suits that range from $200 to $350.For those who know a thing or two about wetsuit specs, a second-hand wetsuit can be a great purchase. There are some great high spec wetsuits out there in the second-hand marketplace. You can find better specced second-hand wetsuits for the same amount of money as an entry model brand new wetsuit.Wetsuits are designed to provide thermal protection from the cold water by securing your body’s heat. Unlike dry suits, which use air and multiple under-layers to retain heat (more on that in a minute), wetsuits insulate our body’s natural heat via a thin layer of water and the suit’s material.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.
How long do wetsuits last?
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. 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.Over time, even the highest-quality summer and winter wetsuits wear out, and most avid surfers replace them every 9 to 12 months. Heavy use leads to the seams weakening, neoprene losing its flexibility, and small tears that can turn into major leaks.