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. A 7mm wetsuit provides excellent thermal insulation and protection. These wetsuits are thicker than most wetsuits on the market and therefore provide excellent insulation and protection from cold conditions.Colder water requires a thicker suit: more millimetres of neoprene for insulation. Wetsuits with two or more numbers feature different thicknesses. For warmth, the thickest neoprene is centred at the core of the body while arms and legs feature thinner neoprene for flexibility paddling.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.Just like with most things in life, wetsuits naturally lose warmth over time due to factors like neoprene degradation, frequent use, exposure to UV rays, and improper care.The heat retention effect of Open-Cell neoprene is so extreme that a good fitting 5mm open cell wetsuit will keep a diver warm for 40-50 minutes in ice water (0c temperature).
Is it better to have a wetsuit too big or too small?
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. If you have booked a surf, paddleboard or kayaking lesson and will be using a rental wetsuit then you need to wear swimwear underneath for hygiene reasons. If you forgot your swimwear, you can wear your underwear, it’s not ideal, but definitely better than wearing nothing.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.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 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.
How buoyant is a 7mm wetsuit?
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. 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.
How tight should a 7mm wetsuit be?
Thicker Wetsuits: A thicker wetsuit (5 mm to 7 mm) provides more insulation, but might feel tighter due to the increased material. Ensure that the wetsuit fits snugly but still allows for comfortable movement. Thicker wetsuits may reduce this range of motion slightly, so take this into account before going up a size in 5mm and 7mm suits. Seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug but not too tight, and the suit should conform to your body everywhere.Wetsuits should be close fitting to your body without any bagginess, while still being able to move your arms and legs comfortably. However, it shouldn’t be too easy to get on and off, if it is easily done without much effort, it may be too big.A 3mm wetsuit may only require 6 to 8% of your body weight in lead whereas a 7mm, wetsuit, or dry suit could require 10% of your body weight or more depending on your undergarments. One good experiment is to try on your suit and hop in a pool. Start by holding on to a 2lb block of lead.Swimwear is a practical choice to wear under a wetsuit – a bikini or swimming costume for women and swim trunks or swim shorts for men. Swimwear is designed to fit seamlessly against your body, and can also prevent chafing on those more ‘delicate’ areas, shall we say. It’s quick-drying, hygienic and comfortable.
Is it better to have a tighter or looser wetsuit?
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. Snug, But Not Overly Tight 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.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.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.For many women, the simplest and most common choice is to wear nothing under their wetsuit. This option ensures: Maximum flexibility: No extra fabric to bunch up or restrict movement. Streamlined fit: Allows the wetsuit to conform closely to the body as it was designed for better insulation.
What do you do if you have to pee in a 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. Peeing in a wetsuit might feel like a warm hug for your legs, providing instant satisfaction and the illusion of coziness. But this fleeting warmth, which can be attributed to warm urine, comes at a price. Prolonged exposure to urine can irritate your skin and even lead to infections.