Should you size up in wetsuits for women’s?
Choosing A Wetsuit For A Woman For different top and bottom sizes, we recommend opting for a larger alternative of up to two sizes. Women’s wetsuits can sometimes feel slightly constricted around the neck, but this will feel more comfortable once you’re in the water. While a woman can technically wear a men’s wetsuit, the fit might not be ideal. Women’s wetsuits are specifically designed to support and accommodate the female form. A men’s wetsuit might not fit snugly in the right areas, which can allow cold water to circulate and reduce the suit’s ability to keep the wearer warm.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited.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.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 to know before buying a wetsuit?
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. Back-zip. Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of.Wetsuits are meant to be pretty tight. Tight is good, as it means there are no pockets where water can pool and make you cold. The caveat here is that you should still be able to move your arms. If it feels a little restrictive right now, that’s okay.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.Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of. However, the longer zipper tends to make the wetsuit less flexible and let more water into your suit.
Do women wear bras under wetsuits?
Compression Shorts or Sports Bras For additional support and comfort, especially during high-intensity water sports like kite surfing: Sports Bras: Opt for seamless designs with moisture-wicking properties. Compression Shorts: Prevent chafing and provide extra support for your hips and thighs. Sports bras and appropriate underwear provide extra support and comfort under a wetsuit. A sports bra enhances warmth and helps prevent chafing and these undergarments ensure a snug fit, allowing for freedom of movement and added comfort during water activities.
What not to wear under a wetsuit?
The most common faux pas among men is wearing boardshorts under a swim wetsuit. This is a classic rookie error. Boardshorts will tend to bunch up under a wetsuit, giving the wearer a wedgie, generally feeling horrible, and if anything increasing the chances of a rash. 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.If you’re taking part in water sports such as surfing, canoeing or even in an ocean or lake, where the water can be very cold, even on a sunny day, you could wear a wetsuit, and a pad can be worn with this type of active wear.
Are cheap wetsuits any good?
Many affordable wetsuits hold up just fine. Look for Reinforced knees, Internal seam taping, and a Brand reputation for quality materials. For heavy use, consider investing in a suit with higher-end construction or being ready for a replacement every 1–2 seasons. This will give you several thickness options. 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 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.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 Quick Note on Wetsuit Thickness The colder the water you surf in, the thicker your suit will need to be to keep you warm. For example, during the colder winter months you might wear a 2mm full suit in Queensland; a 3/2mm full suit in the Greater Sydney region and a 4/3mm full suit in Victoria and Tasmania.
Is it better to have a tighter or looser wetsuit?
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. 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.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.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.If you’re taking part in water sports such as surfing, canoeing or even in an ocean or lake, where the water can be very cold, even on a sunny day, you could wear a wetsuit, and a pad can be worn with this type of active wear.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.
How to tell if a wetsuit fits right?
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. 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.The sleeves (if full-length) 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. Wetsuits fit more snugly than clothing. Wetsuits are meant to be form-fitting.Over time and with repeated use, the wetsuit will gradually stretch and mold to your body shape. If you’re concerned about how to stretch a wetsuit to make it more comfortable, simply wearing it in water regularly can help it conform to your shape.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.