Is it better to size up or down in wetsuits?
Always go smaller than you think. You do not want it to sit loosely and allow water transfer. L might be comfortable on land but you’ll get colder quicker in the water. If the suit is too big, it might be easy to get into, but in the water, it’s not going to function properly.
Do wetsuits stretch after first use?
Note that the wetsuit will stretch out slightly after wearing it, just like a pair of jeans. Your waist should fit right, but it’s okay if it’s slightly tight or loose, there is no chance of water coming into your suit at the waist area. However, a snug fit is best. 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.Wetsuit Thickness & Temperature Guide If your wetsuit is too thin for the water or weather temperature you will be cold, shivering and not at peak performance. On the other hand if your wetsuit is too thick for the occasion, you may find yourself over heating and carrying unnecessary resistance.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.When the suit is too large and the material piles up in certain areas, cold water seeps in and runs through the suit (a phenomenon known as flushing). A wetsuit that is too small, however, is too tight and can restrict your freedom of movement in the water.
Is it OK if a wetsuit is a little big?
If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”. Water sloshing around in your wetsuit isn’t conducive to you being the best you. You’ll feel cold, weighed down, and sad. 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 Should a Wetsuit Fit? A wetsuit should fit like a second skin. It should feel tight but not restrictive, with no gaps in the nooks and crannies of your body such as under your arms, the lower back and behind the knees.Is It Easier to Put on a Wetsuit Wet or Dry? There is really no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The answer is that it’s based simply on your personal preference.So how tight should it feel? Your wetsuit should feel close-fitting but not uncomfortable or overly-restrictive and you should be able to move in it. Wetsuits do feel slightly looser once you get in the water and water is allowed into them, too.
How do I find my wetsuit size?
To determine your wetsuit size, firstly measure your height from the bottom of your heels to the top of your head. Secondly, fill in your body weight. Generally this is a good indicator to estimate your chest and waist width. For instance, if you’re 180cm tall and weight 82kg, you’ll most likely fit a size Large. There are a lot of variants when it comes to wetsuit sizes. This can often lead to a bit of confusion when trying to figure out what the perfect fit is for you. Unfortunately, there is no universal wetsuit size chart that watersports brands adhere to.To determine your wetsuit size, firstly measure your height from the bottom of your heels to the top of your head. Secondly, fill in your body weight. Generally this is a good indicator to estimate your chest and waist width. For instance, if you’re 180cm tall and weight 82kg, you’ll most likely fit a size Large.While wetsuits are fantastic for staying warm in the water, they aren’t designed for all-day wear. Since wetsuits fit snugly to your body, wearing one for extended periods can lead to skin irritation, particularly around areas of friction.Ensure You’re 100% Dry: We don’t recommend putting on your wetsuit while you’re wet. It will take forever! Give yourself time to air dry or liberally towel off before suiting up. Use a Bag and a Chair: A plastic grocery bag can be a huge help for getting the suit over your feet and hands.
Will a men’s wetsuit fit a woman?
Probably can but wouldn’t want to. They are very snug and designed differently by gender. It might be easier for a female to squeeze into a wetsuit designed for a male. Underwear and slacks are designed similarly. 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.While peeing in a wetsuit might provide a momentary illusion of warmth, it does not contribute to long-term thermal comfort and can even be counterproductive in cold environments.A men’s wetsuit is cut differently from a women’s wetsuit due to the differences in body shape between the sexes. Simply put, women’s suits are slightly wider at the hips and chest. Of course it’s possible for a woman to wear a men’s wetsuit – when borrowing a friend’s, let’s say – but it won’t fit nearly as snugly.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.When the suit is too large and the material piles up in certain areas, cold water seeps in and runs through the suit (a phenomenon known as flushing). A wetsuit that is too small, however, is too tight and can restrict your freedom of movement in the water.
Do you wear clothes over a wetsuit?
Wetsuit layering is the practice of wearing additional garments under or over your wetsuit to increase your warmth and comfort. Layering is essential for several reasons: Allows you to adapt to changing water and weather conditions by adding or removing layers as needed. A wetsuit that is too small will feel uncomfortably tight and may restrict your movement, making activities like swimming or surfing difficult. You may also experience trouble zipping up the suit, especially around the chest or shoulders. If the wetsuit digs into your skin or causes discomfort, it’s likely too small.The Differences Between Men’s & Women’s Wetsuits Male wetsuits too have areas with thicker fabric than that of women’s wetsuits in order to better protect them. For men, typically they will have broader and more pronounced shoulders – so in this area of the suit there will need to be the thicker level of fabric.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. Women can wear a swimsuit or bikini, it’s just important to pick the right one.The quick answer to the question of what to wear under a wetsuit is – it can be either nothing at all, a thin garment like a rash vest, compression shorts or bikini for comfort or for extra warmth a thermal hooded rash vest.