Is it okay if a wetsuit is a little big?
A good rule of thumb, is that you should be able to pinch the wetsuit without having a huge crease in it (sort of like your skin. The more places you can do that, the better. If you’re pinching and getting a lot of wetsuit, it’s too big. If you can’t pinch it off of your skin, it’s too tight. Today’s high-end wetsuits can make surfing in the world’s coldest waters not just bearable, but totally comfortable. A marvel of modern construction and technology, the theory behind a wetsuit is simple: insulate your body heat to keep you warm in cold water.A super stretchy suit may feel like it fits ok although if its too small, the seams will become stressed and the longevity of your wetsuit will be significantly reduced. Signs of the suit being too small are – riding up on your arms and legs.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.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.
Is it better for a wetsuit to be tight or loose?
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 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.In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene.Plus-size wetsuits offer a better fit for larger body types, ensuring warmth, flexibility, and comfort in the water.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.
Should you buy a wetsuit a size bigger?
Wetsuits should be close fitting to your body without any bagginess, while still being able to move your arms and legs comfortably. The chest should be tight but should obviously not cut off any blood flow or restrict you from breathing. If the shoulders, chest and underarm fit snug, there is less chance of water entering your suit. Note that the wetsuit will stretch out slightly after wearing it, just like a pair of jeans.Additionally, wearing your wetsuit regularly and moving around in it will naturally help to break it in and soften the material over time. As you use your wetsuit more frequently, the neoprene will gradually mold to your body shape, providing a more custom fit and greater comfort.A wetsuit should fit snugly around your body, but not so tightly that it restricts your movement or causes discomfort. Think of it as a second skin – it should feel tight, but not constricting. If the wetsuit feels too tight, it may limit your range of motion and cause discomfort.Don’t machine wash, iron or tumble dry your wetsuit. Avoid chlorine and store your wetsuit on a suitable wide-shouldered hanger, or folded over the waist while drying.
How cold is a 3mm wetsuit good for?
F to 70°f (15. C to 21°c): a 3mm wetsuit is ideal for this temperature range, offering warmth and mobility. F to 75°f (21°c to 24°c): a 2mm to 3mm wetsuit works well in this range, depending on your cold tolerance. recommended wetsuit thickness for temperature: between 70-80°f: 3mm. Between 60-70°f: 5mm. Below 60°f: 5mm.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. The thickness you need depends on where you surf, the season, how easily you get cold, and how windy it is.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.Getting your wetsuit size right is very important. It should feel snug without being too restrictive, and there shouldn’t be any gaps between your skin and the wetsuit. It should also fit high on the neck to create a seal to stop water from getting in.
Am I supposed to wear anything under a wetsuit?
If your wetsuit is decent and comfortable, you don’t have to wear anything under it. 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. Neoprene takes a beating from UV radiation, and will begin to break it down quickly. Coupled with heat, you can take a brand new wetsuit to completely destroyed in a matter of weeks.It should fit like a second skin, tightly wrapped around your body. After all, a wetsuit only works when the fit is right. On the other hand, you don’t want it to be too restrictive or tight, and want to avoid excess material in areas like your armpits, lower back and behind your knees.Additionally, wearing your wetsuit regularly and moving around in it will naturally help to break it in and soften the material over time. As you use your wetsuit more frequently, the neoprene will gradually mold to your body shape, providing a more custom fit and greater comfort.What are the disadvantages of a wetsuit? The main disadvantage of wetsuits is that they can still be quite cold in colder water temperatures, as they allow water to enter and then warm up against the body. They also require more frequent replacement than drysuits, as the neoprene material can degrade over time.
Are wetsuit sizes the same as clothes?
Wetsuits should fit and feel tighter than clothing, and the wetsuit size you end up with may actually be one or two sizes bigger than your clothing size. So don’t rely on clothing size as an indicator for wetsuits! It’s also good to note that a perfect fitting wetsuit may take some work to get on and off. 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.For many women, the simplest and most common choice is to wear nothing under their wetsuit. This option ensures: Maximum flexibility: No extra fabric to bunch up or restrict movement. Streamlined fit: Allows the wetsuit to conform closely to the body as it was designed for better insulation.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.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.