What is a 5’4″ wetsuit good for?
A 5/4 mm hooded wetsuit is the ideal mid-winter wetsuit for most people in Europe. They are very warm because they insulate the head properly too. If you combine this wetsuit with some neoprene winter booties and neoprene gloves, you can surf all winter without a problem. 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.Surf Seasons and Conditions As outlined in the chart above, surfing wetsuit thicknesses range anywhere from 0. Optimal thickness and wetsuit type can shift in many regions based on the season.A high-quality 5mm wetsuit will protect you in water temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees. There are several options when selecting a mens 5mm wetsuit: the 5/4/3mm wetsuit provides three thicknesses in one suit (5mm core, 4mm legs and 3mm arms) so you get core warmth without sacrificing mobility.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.When buying your suit, consider: 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.
How long do Billabong wetsuits last?
Wetsuit Care FAQs With proper care and routine washing, a neoprene wetsuit should last one to two years for frequent (multiple times a week) surfers and longer – four to five years – for those who hit the waves less regularly. 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.The dark colour of wetsuits, particularly black, plays a role in improving thermal regulation, especially in cold water environments. Black fabric absorbs more heat from sunlight than lighter colours, which can help keep you warmer when exposed to sun or in shallow waters where sunlight might penetrate.Are Sharks Attracted to Bright Colors? The main reason for wetsuits to be black is actually not the possibility of a shark encounter. Wetsuits are typically black for practical and functional reasons. The black colour absorbs heat from sunlight, helping to keep the wearer warmer in cold water.The color black acts as a shield from UV rays that can be harmful to your wetsuit, slowly compromising the neoprene over time. The color black helps absorb the UV rays from direct sunlight on the water, limiting the damage they can do to your wetsuit and keeping it working as long as it can.AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT Don’t leave your wetsuit in the sun to dry as this will accelerate the wear of the neoprene and lining. The ozone and UV rays in sunlight cause neoprene to lose stretch and become brittle over time.
What are the disadvantages of wetsuits?
Cons of Using Wetsuits While wetsuits offer great insulation, they are bulkier and restrict mobility more compared to spring suits. The thicker neoprene material limits flexibility, making paddling and maneuvering slightly more challenging. 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.Wearing a wetsuit doesn’t stop the cold shock response, as the cold water floods into the suit as you get in. However, it might slow down how quickly you get cold, or make swimming in cold water possible.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.Some things to look out for and avoid with a swim wetsuit are excess material behind your knees, at the lumber panel around your back, and around your armpits. Excess material around the forearms or lower legs isn’t ideal but a little bit of bunching won’t affect your suit’s performance to the same extent.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.
Do Billabong wetsuits run small?
Billabong wetsuits are true to size, but the neoprene is cut slightly wider. This is a good fit for individuals with slightly bigger shoulders, chests, or legs. Expensive wetsuits are often made from higher-quality neoprene, which offers better flexibility, warmth, and durability. High-end neoprene like Yamamoto, known for its superior warmth and stretch, is commonly found in pricier models.Billabong wetsuits consist of 85% Natural Hevea Rubber, 15% Bolder Black, and Soy Bean Oil. This eco-friendly tech has been tested to the fullest extent and is just as good, if not better, than the original smart foam neoprene material. The bottom line: this is one of the best suits in its price range.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.Wet suits don’t keep you dry, but they can keep you warm. Wet suits are made of waterproof, closed-cell, foam-rubber (neoprene) which insulates even when wet. The two main things that determine how warm you will be are the thickness of the neoprene and the snugness of the wet suit.
What is the difference between 5 4mm and 3mm wetsuits?
Usually, the thicker 5mm panels are used in the chest and back panels for extra warmth. The 4mm panels are mainly used in the upper legs, while the 3mm panels are used in the more flexible areas such as arms, shoulders and back lower legs.Thin summer wetsuits range between 1mm and 3mm. Spring or autumn wetsuits are normally made with 4mm and 3mm panels. You’ll find winter wetsuits in 5/4mm or 6/4mm.The 5/4/3 is a fullsuit/steamer wetsuit with 5mm neoprene around the torso, 4mm neoprene around the legs and 3mm neoprene around the arms. This is a popular choice for winter surfing in cool climates and is usually paired with a 5mm hood, glove and booties for optimum insulation and reasonable levels of flexibility.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 thickness of a wetsuit is measured in millimetres (mm); generally speaking, the thicker the neoprene, the warmer the wetsuit will be. For example, a winter wetsuit typically has 5mm neoprene in the arms and legs, while a summer wetsuit only has 2 or 3mm.
Is a 5mm wetsuit too thick?
If you particularly feel the cold, you may choose to opt for this thickness instead. 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.Ultimately, what you wear under your wetsuit is your choice. Whether you choose swim shorts, a swimsuit, a bikini, a rash vest, or nothing at all, the goal is optimum comfort, ease of movement and total confidence when in the water. If you’re unsure, try out some options before settling on what suits you best.When the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees, wetsuits are strongly encouraged, and some races may require their use. Between 65 and 78 degrees, it’s typically the athlete’s choice of whether to wear a wetsuit.A 5/4 mm hooded wetsuit is the ideal mid-winter wetsuit for most people in Europe. They are very warm because they insulate the head properly too. If you combine this wetsuit with some neoprene winter booties and neoprene gloves, you can surf all winter without a problem.