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How to Choose a Wetsuit
How to Choose a Wetsuit. Whether you are diving, snorkeling, surfing or swimming, a wetsuit is a crucial piece of gear to help keep you warm and comfortable in the water. Wetsuits provide insulation and help protect from cuts, scrapes and stings. There are a few different wetsuit styles available: One Piece, Two Piece, Shortie (short sleeves and legs) and Semi Dry.
HOW DO WETSUITS WORK?
Wetsuits are made of neoprene and are available in multiple thicknesses depending on the temperature of the water and your cold tolerance level. Neoprene is not waterproof, in fact in order to work properly, you need to get some water in the suit! The neoprene has tiny holes in it to allow a thin layer of water to be trapped between your skin and the neoprene. Your body heat warms up the water and the neoprene acts as an insulator to keep this water warm.
Because of the nature of how neoprene works, it is so critical that your suit fits correctly, as a loose suit will mean too much water constantly circulating in your suit. The thicker the suit, the more insulation you will have, keep this in mind when you are thinking about how to choose a wetsuit.
hOW TO CHOOSE A WETSUIT THICKNESS?
< 50°F/10°C ​
We recommend at minimum 7mm, and possibly a two piece to double up the insulation on your core. A 7mm Semi-dry would be a good option.
50–62°F / 10-17°C
We recommend at minimum 5mm, but most likely a single 7mm would be more comfortable
62-69°F / 17-21°C
In this range a 5mm or 3mm is appropriate for achieving maximum comfort.
> 70°F / 22°C
At these temperatures, wetsuits are more of a personal preference. If you run warm, you may prefer a 2mm shorty wetsuit, or 3mm full. Some prefer not to use a wetsuit at all, but keep in mind that wetsuits are great protection against jelly fish stings, and coral scrapes.
Wetsuit Styles
Wetsuits can either be closed-cell or open cell. Closed cell neoprene has large, uniform bubbles that provide good insulating qualities. The neoprene is usually coated or lined with fabric or sprays to add strength and color, plus make it easier to slide into. Open Cell neoprene doesn’t slide on as easily, but does minimize water circulation within the suit (the bubbles act as little tiny suction cups for that second skin feel). Open cell neoprene suits are commonly used for freediving and open water swimming as they have very little drag
Wetsuit thickness is primary to warmth. Thicknesses start at 1 millimetre (mm) and progress up to 9 mm, with the most common being 3 mm (warm water), 5 mm (temperate water) and 7 mm (cold water) or a combination of these.
Optional Features
- An attached hood prevents cold water from flowing in through your wetsuit collar as you swim.
- Wetsuit thickness is primary to warmth. Thicknesses start at 1 millimetre (mm) and progress up to 9 mm, with the most common being 3 mm (warm water), 5 mm (temperate water) and 7 mm (cold water) or a combination of these.
- Wrist and ankle seals minimize water entry and circulation inside a wetsuit.
- Ankle and wrist zippers make getting into and out of your wetsuit easier.
- A spine pad fills in the channel made by your spine, which reduces water flow. Lumbar or kidney pads protect your lower back.
- Kneepads are common, but you can also get elbow pads. Many suits have special anti-abrasion material on the shoulders and in the seat.
- Preshaped arms and legs (bent knees and elbows) add comfort and prevent the neoprene from having to stretch so much as you move around, which reduces wear and tear.
- Pockets are good for carrying things like slates or keys. Pockets usually are placed on wetsuit thighs, calves or arms. Some suits also have interior key pockets.
- Watertight dry zipper turns a regular wetsuit into a semi-drysuit, such as the Bare 8/7mm Velcocity Semi Dry or Hollis Neotek Semi Dry
How to Fit Your Wetsuit?
The fit of a wetsuit is critical, so when in doubt, ask a pro!
- Decide which thickness will be best for your use. 3mm and 5mm are great for warmer waters, where 7mm wetsuits are best for cold water!
- Pick out a couple of styles you like, and refer to the manufacturers size chart to get a rough starting point.
- Take your time. Pulling a wetsuit on for the first time may take a little effort – so work your way through it without rushing. However, if it’s a real struggle, perhaps you need a larger size.
- Be sure to make sure the ankles and wrists are pulled up high to start with, it’s much more difficult to do this when the suit is already on.
- If you’re having difficulties, you can always put a plastic bag on your feet/hands which help the suit to slide a bit easier. A lycra dive skin may also help to make the process a bit smoother!
- Evaluate the fit. A wetsuit should be snug, but not overly tight. There should be no big gaps anywhere. Keep in mind the suit is going to stretch when it’s wet and overtime, so it’s critical that it’s not too loose. Test out your range of motion and make sure you have good mobility, keep in mind the thicker the suit, the more restriction you are going to feel.
- Narrow down your choice by fit and comfort. Then, make the final decision based on style, color, optional features and personal preference. A wetsuit is an investment that should last for several years, so choose wisely!
How to Care For Your Wetsuit?
To make your wetsuit last, be sure to rinse, dry and carefully store your wet suit after diving. It may occasionally need a good wash and there are special wetsuit shampoos available for the job. Store your wetsuit on a wide plastic or wooden hanger to avoid creasing in the shoulders. If you must fold it, do so gently with the zipper on top, or as directed by the manufacturer.
Stinky Wetsuit?
Nobody likes a smelly suit, here are a few of our favorite wetsuit cleaners to help get your wetsuit back to normal!
Staff Picks
Bare 2mm Elate Shorty Women’s Wetsuit
The BARE 2mm Elate Shory Wetsuit combines fit, comfort and flexibility for outstanding multi-sport performance. Designed with watersport-inspired styling, anatomically correct 3D patterns, and a proprietary blend of neoprene and laminate, Elate creates a more comfortable diving and watersport experience in and on the water.
Bare 3/2mm Elate Full Women’s Wetsuit
The BARE 3/2mm Elate Full Wetsuit combines fit, comfort and flexibility for outstanding multi-sport performance. Designed with watersport-inspired styling, anatomically correct 3D patterns, and a proprietary blend of neoprene and laminate, Elate creates a more comfortable diving and watersport experience in and on the water.
Bare 2mm Revel Shorty Men’s Wetsuit
The Bare 2mm Revel Men's Shorty Wetsuit combines fit, comfort and flexibility for outstanding multi-sport performance. Designed with watersport-inspired styling, anatomically correct 3D patterns, and a proprietary blend of neoprene and laminate, the Bare Revel creates a more comfortable diving and watersport experience in and on the water.
Bare 3mm Velocity Ultra 2.0 Full Men’s Wetsuit
Bare 3/2mm Revel Full Men’s Wetsuit
The Bare 3/2mm Revel Wetsuit combines fit, comfort and flexibility for outstanding multi-sport performance. Designed with watersport-inspired styling, anatomically correct 3D patterns, and a proprietary blend of neoprene and laminate, the Bare Revel creates a more comfortable diving and watersport experience in and on the water.
Bare 3mm Reactive Full Men’s Wetsuit
The Bare 3mm Reactive Mens Wetsuit uses Graphene OMNIRED, a responsive textile that warms the wearer using their own body heat. By tapping this heat-capturing technology, the Reactive can insulate for hours without skipping a beat. The body-responsive effects of Graphene, combined with the power of OMNIRED, allow divers to maximize their comfort on every dive. In fact, lab tests have shown a 5-degree Celsius average temp increase over the original OMNIRED Technology.
Bare 7mm Elate Full Women’s Wetsuit
The BARE 7mm Elate Full Women's Wetsuit combines fit, comfort and flexibility for outstanding multi-sport performance. Designed with watersport-inspired styling, anatomically correct 3D patterns, and a proprietary blend of neoprene and laminate, Elate creates a more comfortable diving and watersport experience in and on the water.
Bare 7mm Reactive Full Men’s Wetsuit
The Bare 7mm Reactive Full Mens Wetsuit features heat-capturing graphene technology - a first of its kind for BARE—is woven into the suit to provide enhanced thermal insulation and equal heat distribution. The body-responsive effects of Graphene, combined with the power of OmniRed, allow divers to maximize their comfort on every dive. In fact, lab tests have shown a 5-degree Celsius average temp increase over the original OmniRed Technology. Elastic, full-stretch neoprene also provides a forgiving and supportive 4-way flex for the highest level of comfort.