Should I get a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit?
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. 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 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.If you mostly surf in the north of the uk, a 4mm in the winter will be unbearably cold, so we recommend getting a 5mm wetsuit. You may be a little warm during the summer months, but just loosen the neck of the suit and let some water in – it’s far easier to cool down when you’re hot than warm up when you’re frozen!One of the primary distinctions between scuba wetsuits and surfing wetsuits lies in their thickness and insulation. Scuba wetsuits are typically thicker to provide better insulation against cold water temperatures. This extra insulation helps divers stay warm during prolonged periods underwater.
How tight should a scuba wetsuit be?
Check if there is any area where the wetsuit restricts your movement or feels uncomfortable. No excessive stretching around the neck and wrists. The collar should be snug without being too tight, while the wrist seals should sit smoothly against your skin without feeling too tight or loose. 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.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.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.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.Get it Wet Wearing your wetsuit in water helps it adapt more quickly to your shape. Take a short swim or soak it before your first full session.
How tight should a 5mm wetsuit be?
A wetsuit should fit like a second skin. It should feel tight but not restrictive, with no gaps in the nooks and crannies of your body such as under your arms, the lower back and behind the knees. 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.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.If movements feel restricted, especially around the shoulders and knees, the wetsuit may be too small. This limitation not only affects comfort but can also impair a diver’s ability to respond to underwater scenarios effectively.The best method for ensuring a good fit is to find a local surf or dive shop and try on all of your top choices. The staff at your local shop can also help you figure out wetsuit sizing, which may vary from one brand to the next.
How much weight should I use with a 5mm wetsuit?
Medium thickness 5mm – 3/I6 inch two-piece wet suit, add 10% of your body weight. 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.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.Wetsuit Buoyancy: Minimal buoyancy, about 1–2 pounds (0. Wetsuit Buoyancy: Moderate buoyancy, about 2–3 pounds (0. Wetsuit Buoyancy: High buoyancy, about 4–6 pounds (1. Wetsuit Buoyancy: Very high buoyancy, about 7–8 pounds (3.Thicker wetsuits protect you from cold water by helping you retain body heat, but the thickest wetsuits can also lead to premature fatigue and loss of dexterity in the water. Finding the right wetsuit for your needs demands considerations for comfort, flexibility, and dexterity in addition to warmth.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.
How to choose a wetsuit for scuba diving?
Your wetsuit should fit tightly from top to bottom, conforming to your body without gaps or pockets. It should feel like compression shorts – snug with a bit of pressure. The seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but comfortable. If any feel too tight or painful, you may need a different size or suit. There are four key attributes to consider when selecting the right wetsuit: Warmth, Flexibility, Durability, and Fit. Balancing these four attributes makes the perfect wetsuit.To wash your wetsuit, you’ll want to rinse it with cool or lukewarm fresh water after every use. It is important to rinse your wetsuit before it dries. This will ensure the efficient removal of dirt, sand, and other chemicals. If the suit dries before you rinse it, it will be more challenging to clean afterward.Swimwear 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.Your wetsuit should fit tightly from top to bottom, conforming to your body without gaps or pockets. It should feel like compression shorts – snug with a bit of pressure. The seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but comfortable. If any feel too tight or painful, you may need a different size or suit.The quick answer to the question of what to wear under a wetsuit is – it can be either nothing at all, a thin garment like a rash vest, compression shorts or bikini for comfort or for extra warmth a thermal hooded rash vest.