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. All swimsuits naturally loosen a bit in the water, regardless of the water type. The weight of the excess water naturally makes the fabric heavier, meaning it will pull down and away from your body.A 3mm wetsuit is ideal for uk summer months (june–september) when water temperatures range between 14–18°c, offering warmth and flexibility for surfing and swimming.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.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.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.
Are wetsuit sizes the same as clothes?
Wetsuit sizing runs completely differently from clothing sizing! Some wetsuit brands start at size “2” and work up from there, whereas other brands start at size “4”. Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.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.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.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.
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. Also, a suit that is too tight will put a lot of stress on the wetsuit, causing the neoprene to thin out and the seams to leak and break down faster. If the suit is too big, it might be easy to get into, but in the water, it’s not going to function properly.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.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.Additionally, wetsuits may stretch slightly over time with repeated use, but this is usually minimal and does not result in significant shrinkage. Only when thrown into hot water, the wetsuit might shrink. Common ocean or pool water on the other hand does not impact the size of the wetsuit significantly.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.
Is a 3mm wetsuit ok for winter?
C to around 12°C, covering most of the year from April until late November. Wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online Size Finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.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. Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of water between your body and the suit.Wet Your Wetsuit Before Use In turn, it gets more pliable when wetted. Before getting your suit on for the first time in the spring, or after any lengthy dry spell, we always encourage you to dunk it in the sink or bath, and let the suit soak up a bit of hydration, before you get it wet in the lake or ocean for real.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.A wetsuit should fit as tightly as you can comfortably get into. What you need to avoid are slack areas where water can pool, or loose seals around the ankles, wrists, and neck. If your wetsuit is too loose, cold water will enter the suit freely or “flush through”.
Is it better to size up or down for wetsuits?
Step 2: Should you size up or down in a wetsuit? In this case, we’d recommend selecting the next largest size. While we don’t want excess material, mobility is important when surfing and we don’t want the size of your wetsuit to limit your motion. Additionally, tight swimsuits tend to stay in place better than loose ones, which can be especially important if you’re engaging in activities such as surfing or water sports. Another benefit of tight swimsuits is that they can be more comfortable to wear.If you are near the top of a size recommendation and prefer a more comfortable fit, size up. If your height and weight fall right between two sizes we recommend sizing down as the added side flex and fit panels can make this suit feel roomier. The Alliance and Glide wetsuit do not come in every wetsuit size.They reduce friction and drag in the water, increasing the swimmer’s forward motion efficiency. The tight fits allow for easy movement and are said to reduce muscle vibration, thus reducing drag. This also reduces the possibility that a high-forward dive will remove a diver’s swimwear.The ideal swimsuit fit should feel snug but not restrictive. Swimwear is designed to hug your body and provide support, especially in the bust and waist areas. If the swimsuit is too tight, it may dig into your skin or cause discomfort, while a loose fit may result in an unflattering look and lack of support.