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. 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.Wetsuits are designed to be snug, but they should never cause pain or significantly restrict movement. If you feel uncomfortable or unable to move freely, it’s a sign that the wetsuit might not be the right size.F. Booties are optional but highly recommended. A premium 3/2 mm wetsuit also works well for this temperature range. Suggested wetsuits to consider are the RB1 Accelerator 4/3 Fullsuit for Men and RBZ Stealth Mode 4/3 Fullsuit for Women.Modern wetsuits aren’t just warm – they’re engineered for performance. Whether you’re racing in your first sprint triathlon or aiming for a PR in open water, the right wetsuit can help you swim faster, more efficiently, and with less fatigue.Wetsuit Wearhouse is committed to sourcing the very best wetsuits made in the USA. Handcrafted wetsuits offer the perfect layer of protection from cooler water temperatures and provide added confidence in quality, performance and durability.
Should you buy second hand wetsuits?
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. 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.Unfortunately, a wetsuit that is too thick does have a few downsides. It doesn’t allow you to lose excess heat and can make you feel too hot. Additionally, the thick neoprene fabric on the arms and legs can limit your range of movement, which is not what you want when surfing, swimming, windsurfing or kitesurfing.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.A wetsuit should fit snugly, without any gaping around the neck, wrists and ankles as this will cause your wetsuit to fill up with water. Conversely, you don’t want your wetsuit to be so tight that it restricts movement as you won’t be able to surf and paddle effectively.Are high-end wetsuits worth the price? If you surf often or demand high performance, yes. The extra flexibility, faster drying times, and better warmth-to-weight ratio can seriously improve your comfort and surf endurance.
How much should I pay for a good wetsuit?
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. A 4/3 suit is also a good choice for temperatures ranging from 8°to 11°Celsius (48° -54°Fahrenheit), but in those conditions, you can also go for the added warmth of a 5/4 mm suit. In cold winter water, a hooded 5/4 mm suit is a must, along withsurf glovesandsurf bootsto keep your hands and feet warm.A 7mm is generally recommended for water temps between 50 and 70 F, but individual cold tolerance varies so dramatically that some will be fine at 50 and below even in a 5mm, while others will want a drysuit at 70. For me, in the local temperatures, a 5mm is not enough but a 7mm generally is.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.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.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.
Is it better to put on a wetsuit, wet or dry?
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. 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.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.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.
What to wear under a wetsuit?
Neoprene Tops and Shorts 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. A shorter zip means more flexibility but makes the suit harder to get into. So if you struggle to get into a wetsuit, a back-zip wetsuit might be the best option for you. If you are more athletically built however, a chest zip is the way to go.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. However, the longer zipper tends to make the wetsuit less flexible and let more water into your suit.
How to know if a wetsuit is good?
Your wetsuit should have a good seal at the neck, sleeve and ankle hem so that water cannot ingress easily. If your wetsuit doesn’t fit to your body properly, cold water won’t get trapped in the neoprene and will cause you to feel the chill a lot quicker. Yes, wetsuits do stretch a little over time. The neoprene material naturally adjusts to your body shape with repeated use.Rinse your wetsuit in clean fresh water after each use (warm or cold is fine! Turn it inside out and allow it to completely dry away from direct sunlight before turning it back right side out. To store your wetsuit it is best to hang on a wide suit-style jacket hanger to avoid creasing.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.It is important to clean your suit after you have worn it in the water. Salt, bacteria and chemicals can all work to degrade the neoprene and this can cause it to wear more quickly. It will also start to smell after a while if you don’t wash it thoroughly.Age and Wear: Do wetsuits shrink with age? Yes, as wetsuits age and undergo regular wear and tear, the neoprene material may lose elasticity, making it more prone to shrinkage.
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. 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.WETSUIT LENGTH Thirdly, the sleeve should end right at your wrist. Lastly, check if the body length of the wetsuit is alright. Make sure your crotch is not baggy (too long) or pulling up too much (too short). If the body length is too long, you can experience wrinkles at the waist or bulging neoprene around the chest.