Should I get a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit?
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. Fit is everything, and to ensure you don’t feel any nasty shocks of cold water, you need to get the size right. A wetsuit should fit like a second skin. The wetsuit needs to heat a thin layer of water evenly around your body to regulate your body heat. So, it needs to be tight to your body.If you surf much during winter or early mornings you can get the warmer 4/3mm thickness for just a bit more than the 3/2. Wetsuits are typically made with thicker (3 or 4mm) panels at the legs and trunk, and thinner panels around the arms where more flexibility is needed.The first thing to consider is the weather and water temperature. If the air temperature is warm, then you probably don’t need a wetsuit—unless the water temperature is much colder than the air temperature. In this case, a wetsuit will help keep your body temperature regulated and prevent hypothermia from setting in.The wetsuit should feel tight but not constricting. It should fit like a second skin, allowing minimal water to enter. A small amount of water inside the suit is normal, as your body warms it up and it helps maintain warmth. You should be able to move and breathe comfortably without the suit pinching or pulling.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.
Are expensive wetsuits worth it?
High-end 3/2 wetsuits feature premium neoprene, advanced seam sealing, and thermal liners designed for lightweight warmth and max flexibility. They’re also more durable and comfortable over long sessions. Are high-end wetsuits worth the price? If you surf often or demand high performance, yes. 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.Cold-water 7mm – 1/4-inch two-piece wet suit with hood and boots, add 10% of your body weight, plus 1. Neoprene drysuits, add 10% of your body weight, plus 3 – 5 kg/7 – 10 lb. Shell-style dry suits, add 10% of your body weight, plus 1.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.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.The warmth of a wetsuit is most directly related to the thickness of the neoprene used. The thicker the neoprene is, the warmer it will be. Other factors to consider are seam construction, internal linings, entry systems, and type of neoprene.
Are Aldi wetsuits any good?
Please avoid buying any wetsuits from Sports Direct or Aldi. They will be very poor quality and probably not the right size. We’ve recently reviewed the best women’s wetsuits available in the UK, have a read of the article here. They will often come with a range of features specifically designed to keep you warm as the water temperature starts to seriously dip.For water temperatures ranging from 60°F to 65°F (15. C to 18. C), many swimmers will wear a wetsuit to prevent their core body temperature from dropping too quickly. For those venturing into colder waters (50°F to 59°F or 10°C to 15°C), a thicker wetsuit is required for adequate protection.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 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”.
How much should I pay for a good wetsuit?
Beginners should expect to spend $80–$150 for entry-level suits, while recreational surfers and divers should budget $180–$300 for better durability and comfort. Cold-water athletes need to prepare for $400–$600 wetsuits to ensure safety and insulation, and triathletes or pro divers often invest $500–$800+. 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.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.Comfort fit: Ideal for those new to swim wetsuits. It offers a slightly looser fit, making the suit easier to put on and take off. Performance fit: Provides a snug fit with some compression, maximising drag reduction and swimming efficiency. A correctly fitting wetsuit should sit about 1–15cm above your ankle.A 4/3 wetsuit is designed for waters with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 16°C), which is typical for many winter surf spots and cold-water diving locations.
How do I choose a wetsuit for swimming?
Buy a swimming specific wetsuit With the more continuous motion of swimming, all over thickness of the wetsuit for warmth is not required. Instead, a thinner suit with carefully positioned panels allow more flexibility in areas such as the arms and legs and thicker panels for warmth on the and buoyancy.Recreational Diving: For tropical waters, a 2-3 mm wetsuit will keep you comfortable. If you’re diving in temperate waters, go for a 4-5 mm wetsuit to avoid overheating. In colder waters, a 5-7 mm wetsuit is essential to prevent hypothermia.A 5/4 mm, also called a 5. It is slightly warmer than a 5/3 mm due to the extra mm thickness in the arms.Shorty wetsuits are suitable for warmer waters where overheating might be a concern, as they provide sufficient core insulation while allowing for better ventilation of the limbs. In contrast, full wetsuits are designed for colder waters, offering comprehensive insulation to maintain body warmth.Moderate Water (20-24°C/68-75°F): A 5-7mm wetsuit may be appropriate for water with moderate temperatures.
What style wetsuit is best for swimming?
Yes, the thicker the wetsuit, the more buoyant it will be. This is because thicker neoprene contains more air bubbles, increasing your lift in the water.It’s not just the sleekness of the neoprene that can be different in swimming and surfing wetsuits. Many swimming wetsuits are also built with slightly thicker, buoyant neoprenes around the core and legs that provide extra lift in the water.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.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.