Should I buy a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
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. 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.However, if the water temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, wetsuits are not allowed. As with any piece of gear, it’s best to train with the wetsuit you plan to wear during an event; changing things up on race day is never the best idea.The water in the wetsuit then warms up to the temperature of your skin – about 91F (32. C). Contrary to popular opinion, that layer of water doesn’t warm you. But because it’s the same temperature as your skin, it doesn’t feel cold or conduct heat away from your body.A sleeveless wetsuit is the comfort option for milder temperatures (60-75°F) but when wetsuits are still allowed. A sleeveless allows you to switch back-and-forth between training and racing in tolerable conditions.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. If you’re unsure, try out some options before settling on what suits you best.
How much weight to add for a 5mm wetsuit?
A good starting point for an average-sized person wearing a wetsuit is: 3mm Wetsuit: 1-2 kg (2-4lbs) 5mm Wetsuit: 3-4 kg (6-8lbs) Wetsuits fit more snugly than clothing. Wetsuits are meant to be form-fitting. You don’t want loose folds of neoprene or large pockets of air or water in your wetsuit.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.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.Wetsuits are designed to provide thermal protection from the cold water by securing your body’s heat. Unlike dry suits, which use air and multiple under-layers to retain heat (more on that in a minute), wetsuits insulate our body’s natural heat via a thin layer of water and the suit’s material.
What to know before buying a wetsuit?
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. 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.Wetsuits keep you warm by holding a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit. That thin layer of water is heated by your body and insulated from the outside by the suit. They help you float because wetsuits are made of neoprene…….BARE® wetsuits are made of neoprene rubber containing “L foam” which is resistant to compression when exposed to increased hyperbaric pressures during the course of the dive. BARE® wetsuits come in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 1mm to 8mm and some accessories like hoods may be up to 9mm thick.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. If you’re unsure, try out some options before settling on what suits you best.These garments called triathlon suits or ‘swim skins’ are thinner than wetsuits and are made of water-repellent fabrics. Triathlon suits are less popular than wetsuits as they guarantee glide but do not offer thermal protection and are used by the most demanding athletes for ‘fast’ races.
Are you supposed to wear a bra under a wetsuit?
Sports bras and appropriate underwear provide extra support and comfort under a wetsuit. A sports bra enhances warmth and helps prevent chafing and these undergarments ensure a snug fit, allowing for freedom of movement and added comfort during water activities. Swimsuits are specifically made to eliminate the need for wearing underwear. Women’s swimsuits generally have special lining and additional padding in the bust and crotch areas. Both are added to make the swimsuit more comfortable and to prevent visibility of one’s private areas.But there’s a common myth about how they work, one I’ve heard repeated over and over again. The myth is this: Wetsuits keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit. This is incorrect. A wetsuit that is bone-dry on the inside will actually be warmer than one that’s wet.The way a wetsuit is stitched together plays a big role in both its durability and its ability to keep cold water out. Cheaper wetsuits might use flatlock stitching, which is durable but allows more water to seep through. Expensive wetsuits often feature blind-stitched and critically taped or fully sealed seams.Swimwear 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.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.
Is it okay to wear nothing under a wetsuit?
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. 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.Wetsuits don’t actually loosen once you’re in the water, but they do tend to feel more comfortable. This is because the neoprene material softens slightly when wet, allowing it to mould more closely to your body over time.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.How Should a Wetsuit Fit? In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited.
Do you go commando in a wetsuit?
This is a practice known as going commando. Because of the wetsuit’s tight fit, wearing anything under it can feel unpleasant at times. Wearing nothing between your wetsuit and your skin reduces the quantity of water that can enter. You’ll be warmer if you decide to go nude beneath your wetsuit. Needless to say, we are talking about peeing in wetsuits in the water. If you have to do it, do it at the beginning of the dive. The water will have time to rinse off the urine. Just before getting out of the water, open your wetsuit and let the water run inside.Again, avoid using hot water. The easiest method to completely flush your suit is to flip it inside out, put both of your hands on the inside of the shoulders of the suit, and then dunk it. The water should rush from the top of the wetsuit down and out the ankles.Rinse your wetsuit Take your suit off and turn it inside out. Dunk the wetsuit completely in a freshwater tub, then shake it for a few minutes. If you don’t have a tub in your house or hotel room, you can use a hose to rinse your wetsuit.