Is it better to have a tight or loose wetsuit?
Wetsuits should be snug but not so tight that you struggle to breathe or move freely. A poorly fitting wetsuit may not only not keep you warm but could also lead to injury as you strain against it. The thin layer of water that sits between your skin and the suit needs to stay there for you to remain warm. 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.A 1-2mm neoprene top and shorts will give a good extra layer of warmth, more so than thermals and will give your core extra protection. Go for zip free options to wear under wetsuits, so you don’t get marks. Zips can get really uncomfortable when pressed close to you under the wetsuit.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.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.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.
What to know before buying a wetsuit?
Whatever you use your wetsuit for, the most important thing to get right is the fit. Your wetsuit should feel snug and tight all over. If there’s excess material in places like the neck and cuffs, it will let water in and negate all its insulating properties. Don’t be too taken aback by the tightness of a wetsuit. 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.Wetsuits don’t loosen significantly in water, but they can feel more comfortable as the neoprene softens and moulds to your body. How to break into a wetsuit? Breaking into a wetsuit means getting used to the fit and comfort of the suit as it adapts to your body.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.Chest Zip Wetsuits: Advantages and Disadvantages The zipper across the chest offers a secure fit, preventing water from entering the suit and compromising warmth. Additionally, chest zip wetsuits provide better flexibility and range of motion compared to back zip options.If you struggle to get into a wetsuit, or it’s your first time putting one on, keep your socks on, or wrap your feet in a plastic bag. This makes it much easier for your feet to slide through the leg cuffs. Important notice: Never use fingernails to pull on your wetsuit, you will damage the neoprene instantly.
How should a wetsuit fit a woman?
Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. If the suit is too big, it might be easy to get into, but in the water, it’s not going to function properly.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.You can get a wetsuit tan by simply wearing a full wetsuit in the sun, but I’d advise going in the water to keep cool.
How to pick the right size wetsuit?
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. The best method for ensuring a good fit is to find a local surf or dive shop and try on all of your top choices. The staff at your local shop can also help you figure out wetsuit sizing, which may vary from one brand to the next.High-end 3/2 wetsuits feature premium neoprene, advanced seam sealing, and thermal liners designed for lightweight warmth and max flexibility. They’re also more durable and comfortable over long sessions. Are high-end wetsuits worth the price? If you surf often or demand high performance, yes.There are four key attributes to consider when selecting the right wetsuit: Warmth, Flexibility, Durability, and Fit.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.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.
What is the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit?
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. Springsuits are typically cut to have short arms and legs but variations of spring suit exist. The most common variant being the Long-Arm springsuit, which is ideal for cold and windy conditions. It is essentially a spring wetsuit with the wetsuit covering your whole legs but without sleeves.A Springsuit is known for its lightweight, flexible design, typically featuring shorter sleeves and legs than a full wetsuit. Made with mild insulation, usually in the form of a 2mm to 3mm neoprene layer, the springsuit is designed to provide just enough warmth without restricting movement.
Is it better to size up or down in 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. 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.In most cases, the answer is no, you don’t need to wear a bra under a swimsuit. That’s because most modern swimsuits are designed with built-in support—including features like underwired cups, removable padding, shelf bras, or power mesh linings—to provide shape, lift, and security.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.How Tight Should a Wetsuit Be? 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.
Which wetsuit is most flexible?
SRFACE Flex 4/3mm wetsuits are made with 100% Japanese limestone neoprene, the most flexible, warm and durable limestone neoprene available on the wetsuit market today. Limestone neoprene offers an alternative to petroleum-based neoprene and can be recycled. Graphene-infused neoprene: Graphene is 200 times stronger than steel and conducts heat exceptionally well. In 2025, this material is increasingly being used in wetsuits from brands like Rip Curl and Xcel. The result? Thinner, lighter suits that still retain exceptional warmth — perfect for cold surf spots.