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 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.Recommended Budget for a Wetsuit The prices of decent fullsuits start at $100 for warm water surfing and over $300 for cold water surfing. But if you have extra money, spend it on suits that range from $200 to $350.A 5mm wetsuit is ideal for surfing in cold water temperatures, typically between 8°C and 10°C. It’s perfect for winter sessions, early spring, or colder climates where staying warm is crucial. The extra neoprene thickness provides insulation to retain your body heat, helping you surf longer without feeling the cold.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.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.
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. Your body heats that water, and the neoprene helps retain the warmth. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer you will be, so thicker wetsuits are better suited for colder water.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.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.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.
How much buoyancy does a 5mm wetsuit provide?
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. A 5/3 mm wetsuit, also called a 5. The thicker neoprene in the chest keeps you warm while the 3mm neoprene in the arms and legs allow you to move freely while surfing.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.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.A 3mm or 2mm shorty for summer, a 3mm fullsuit with watertight seams for dawn patrols and general later spring and early Autumn surfing. A 4mm suit for early spring and late Autumn before the winter really kicks in. A 5mm wetsuit for winter in most locations is fine, especially when couple with boots gloves and a hood.Wetsuits help solve this problem in three key ways: Increased Buoyancy – Neoprene lifts your body higher in the water, especially your legs, reducing drag. Improved Streamline – With better body alignment and buoyancy, you hold speed with less effort using less oxygen and energy at the same or faster paces.
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) 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.Some brands have created medium-tall (MT) and large-short (LS) sizes, making it much easier to find a wetsuit that fits well. Different manufacturers, however, will have different cuts and shapes, so it’s crucial you try the wetsuit on before you buy.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.The short answer is that it depends. You don’t need a wetsuit for open water swimming. However, without one in the UK, you will quickly become uncomfortably cold.
Can you swim in a 5mm wetsuit?
Yes, you can swim in a 5mm neoprene thickness, but it depends on the activity and conditions: Pros: A 5mm wetsuit provides excellent insulation, making it ideal for cold water swimming. 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.Available in a choice of two neoprene thicknesses, the 3mm is perfect for warmer tropical waters and the 5mm is best suited for more temperate climates.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.
Is it better to size up in a wetsuit?
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. While it’s not mandatory, wearing something under your wetsuit can help with comfort, warmth, and prevent chafing. Can I wear a bra under a wetsuit? For women, a sports bra designed for swimming is a good option.While wetsuits are fantastic for staying warm in the water, they aren’t designed for all-day wear. Since wetsuits fit snugly to your body, wearing one for extended periods can lead to skin irritation, particularly around areas of friction.To Sum It Up 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. Opposites just don’t attract in this case, so don’t force it.So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently. Also wearing anything under an already tight-fitting wetsuit will reduce flexibility, so if you want the maximum range of movement in your wetsuit, it’s probably best to wear nothing under it.