What size should I get my wetsuit?
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. Wetsuits don’t loosen significantly in water, but they can feel more comfortable as the neoprene softens and moulds to your body. How to break into a wetsuit? Breaking into a wetsuit means getting used to the fit and comfort of the suit as it adapts to your body.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.It’s worlds easier when you put a wet wetsuit on when you’re wet. Same goes for putting a dry wetsuit on when you’re dry. Now, if you want to be a daredevil and try tackling a wet or damp suit when you’re dry – and vice versa – be our guest. But it won’t be a pretty sight or experience.One effective method to soften a wetsuit is to soak it in a tub filled with lukewarm water for about 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the neoprene to absorb moisture and become more supple.
What to wear under a wetsuit?
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 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.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.A good-fitting wetsuit is easier to put on If you want to put on your wetsuit easily and fully enjoy your time in the water, finding a proper-fitting wetsuit is key. A wetsuit that is too small is harder to put on and won’t be as comfortable during your activity 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.
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. 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.Obviously, it is also possible to have a wetsuit that’s too tight. If it constricts your breathing, if moving your arms up and down feels like you’re lifting deadweights, if you need to call the fire brigade to get it on or off, there is a chance your wetsuit is too small for you.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.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.
Is it better to size up or down in wetsuits?
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. Contrary to everyday clothes, most wetsuits come in many different sizes. In addition, they cater to people with different body types. Wetsuit sizes are built up by combining body height and chest and waist width. You can verify this by measuring your height, weight, chest and waist sizes.Wetsuits are a great way to stay warm and comfortable in the water. They allow you to go out all year long, and have more fun for longer. A wetsuit should keep you warm and comfortable, but not too hot.wetsuit sizing is based on a combination of height, chest circumference, and waist width. For women, hip measurement is also an important factor. To help you find the perfect fit, we developed an intuitive online size finder that makes choosing the right wetsuit size easier than ever.In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves 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.
What is the easiest wetsuit to put on?
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 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.When you first get into the water in a wetsuit, you’re still going to feel the cold water. A wetsuit works by letting water in between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then warms up. However, this can still cause cold water shock, especially for first-time wetsuit swimmers.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.This close-fitting feel is important and put simply, if a wetsuit is too big for you or allows any water ingress through the neck or cuffs, it will not do its job. Swimming wetsuits work by allowing a tiny bit of water to enter, which then sits next to your skin and is warmed by your body heat.Generally, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited.
Is it better for a wetsuit to be tight or loose?
Wetsuits should be snug but not so tight that you struggle to breathe or move freely. A poorly fitting wetsuit may not only not keep you warm but could also lead to injury as you strain against it. The thin layer of water that sits between your skin and the suit needs to stay there for you to remain warm. Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between you and your suit, your body then heats that water to help keep you warm. So in theory not wearing anything that can interfere with that layer will make your wetsuit work more efficiently.Ventilation. Make sure there is good airflow around the wetsuit. Hanging it in a well ventilated area helps to speed up the drying process. This is as important as the wetsuit being warm.Leave Your Wetsuit Hanging! Whether you want to take the best care of your wetsuit after each surf, or hibernate your suit for the winter – the best option is to use a hanger. This prevents your wetsuit from creasing when you fold it up, and allows the wetsuit to breathe better; avoiding the potential for mould.Wetsuits are not meant to keep you dry. Despite being composed of waterproof neoprene foam, they allow a tiny layer of water to enter via the zippers, wrists, neck, legs, and ankles. The water quickly condenses into a thin layer of liquid and gets trapped between your skin and the neoprene.