Is it better for a wetsuit to be tight or loose?
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. A 3mm wetsuit is ideal for UK summer months (June–September) when water temperatures range between 14–18°C, offering warmth and flexibility for surfing and swimming.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.The thickness of a wetsuit is measured in millimetres (mm); generally speaking, the thicker the neoprene, the warmer the wetsuit will be. For example, a winter wetsuit typically has 5mm neoprene in the arms and legs, while a summer wetsuit only has 2 or 3mm.If the wetsuit is too thick, you may overheat and become fatigued. If the wetsuit is too thin, you may become cold and your movements may be restricted. The ideal thickness for a wetsuit depends on the water temperature and your personal tolerance for cold.
How do I size myself for a wetsuit?
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. So, do you put on a wetsuit wet or dry? Totally up to you. 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.A 3mm wetsuit is ideal for UK summer months (June–September) when water temperatures range between 14–18°C, offering warmth and flexibility for surfing and swimming.If you’re highly active in the water—paddling, diving, or swimming—a 4mm wetsuit might feel more flexible and comfortable, allowing for better movement. However, if you’re in the water for extended periods, like during a long dive, the 5mm suit will retain more heat.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.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.
Should a kids wetsuit be tight?
A wetsuit is essentially a second skin; it should feel tight but not be restrictive. Be sure to check areas such as under your arms, the lower back and behind the knees. 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.The thickness of the suit will depend on the time of year you and the family like to hit the sea and how much they can tolerate the cold. From May until October we recommend a 3:2 full suit. For warmer months they may prefer to use a 2mm shorty if the water temperature is sitting around 20 Celsius or above.The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water. Wetsuit thickness usually ranges from 2mm for hot summer days to 7mm for very cold conditions.
Are wetsuit sizes the same as clothes?
Wetsuit sizing runs completely differently from clothing sizing! Some wetsuit brands start at size “2” and work up from there, whereas other brands start at size “4”. 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.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. Common ocean or pool water on the other hand does not impact the size of the wetsuit significantly.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.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.A suit that’s too small could cause a feeling of tightness, making it difficult to breathe and preventing you from moving your body in a way that’s comfortable for you. On the other hand, a suit that’s too big will let water in, which will negatively affect your buoyancy and body temperature.
How to buy kids wetsuits?
Length: The wetsuit should reach the ankles and wrists without bunching up. Neck and Sleeves: There should be a snug fit around the neck and sleeves to prevent water from flushing into the suit. Comfort: Ensure there’s no pinching or restriction, especially around the shoulders and neck. Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between you and your suit, your body then heats that water to help keep you warm. So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently.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.Check out the water temperature history HERE. As per USAT rules, if the water temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or below then wetsuits ARE allowed.A 3mm or 2mm shorty for summer, a 3mm fullsuit with watertight seams for dawn patrols and general later spring and early Autumn surfing. A 4mm suit for early spring and late Autumn before the winter really kicks in. A 5mm wetsuit for winter in most locations is fine, especially when couple with boots gloves and a hood.Wetsuits are all designed for different conditions and temperatures of water. If you wear a wetsuit too thick for the water you’re swimming in, you’ll run the risk of overheating. If you wear one too thin, you’ll be too cold!