Wetsuits are an essential piece of equipment for everyone who enjoys swimming.
wishing to participate in water sports
A good wetsuit can save your life, so knowing what you’re doing when purchasing the appropriate wetsuit is critical. Here is the best wetsuit buying guide for individuals new to water sports as well as seasoned pros who want to know which features to look for when purchasing wetsuits.
WHY
Is a Wetsuit Required?
While staying warm is crucial, a wetsuit provides considerably more benefits for ardent water sports enthusiasts.
Here are just a few of the advantages of wearing a wetsuit:
Warmth
Buoyancy
conserving energy
speed
A wetsuit is essential when participating in water sports since it keeps you warm in the water. When in cold water, such as the ocean, staying as warm as possible can mean the difference between life and death. Wetsuits are comprised of neoprene, a synthetic material that is ideal for keeping your body temperature stable.
Wetsuits help to keep your body temperature stable by trapping a tiny layer of water between your skin and the wetsuit’s neoprene material. Your body heats up this layer of water, which serves to regulate your overall body temperature. Because wetsuits function by trapping a thin layer of water within the suit, it is critical to choose a wetsuit that is both snug and comfortable; otherwise, the water within the suit will not heat up sufficiently to keep your body temperature stable.
full versus shorty
Except for your head, hands, and feet, a full-length wetsuit covers your entire body. Full-length wetsuits are typically worn in the winter, but they can also be worn in the summer if the temperature is not too high.
A shorty wetsuit naturally covers less of your body than a full length suit, with the neoprene fabric covering your torso, upper arms, and thighs, allowing for more arm and leg movement. Shorty wetsuits are more typically worn during the summer months, and using one during the winter is highly discouraged due to the reduced effectiveness of body temperature retention.
size
Your height and chest size will determine the appropriate size of wetsuit for you. As previously stated, a wetsuit works by trapping a thin layer of water near to your body, which is then heated by your body temperature, resulting in good heat retention. As a result, it is critical that you get the correct size for your body. If the wetsuit does not fit snugly enough, all of the insulation will be lost.
Take note of your body dimensions before purchasing a wetsuit so that you may purchase a wetsuit that is ideally fitted for your needs.
thickness
Wetsuits are commonly available in thicknesses of 3/2mm, 4/3mm, 5/4mm, and 6/5mm. The higher number denotes the thickness of the neoprene fabric around your chest, whilst the lower number denotes the thickness of the neoprene fabric around your arms and legs. The 5/4mm wetsuit, for example, has a neoprene fabric thickness of 5mm around your chest and 4mm around your arms and legs. Choosing the proper thickness for your wetsuit is critical to maintaining an optimum body temperature. Furthermore, the thickness of the wetsuit required is determined by the temperature of the water, thus it is critical that you are always aware of the temperature of the water you are about to enter.
different
watersports
The distinction between winter and summer wetsuit requirements is also a helpful rule of thumb to apply when determining the wetsuit requirements for various water sports. Because different water sports take place at different depths, your wetsuit should be suited for the expected temperature at the depth. For example, if you are scuba diving, you may need a thicker wetsuit than the surface water temperature would suggest, because you are swimming deeper into the ocean, where the water temperature is cooler.
kitesurfing
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sailing
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surfing
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triathlon
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Because most water activities (kitesurfing, sailing, and surfing) take place on the water’s surface, the temperature of the surface water is a useful reference to follow in terms of thickness needs – unless you are swimming below the surface.
building of seams
There are numerous alternatives for wetsuit seam construction, and it is critical that you understand the various varieties so that you know which one is best for you.
Neonseam
Wetsuit panels are glued and blindstitched with a 4mm razor thin coloured liquid silicon based urethane – the result is a robust yet flexible wetsuit that is watertight and exceptionally durable, while reducing skin abrasion.
Liquidseam
The wetsuit’s panels are glued and blindstiched to form a reinforced 100% water tight seal, with the seam sealed with a coloured liquid silicon based urethane.
Blindstitch
Blindstitching is a method of entirely strengthening and waterproofing wetsuit seams. The panels of the suit are double-glued, butted together, and then sewn so that they do not pierce through to the interior. It is then reinforced further by incorporating heat welded tape into the suit’s high stress seam regions.
Flatlock
Flatlock is all about the visual impact as well as high-quality workmanship. Panels are stitched together to form a flat, flexible, and comfortable seam. When interlocking both sides of the wetsuit, a colourful thread is frequently utilised, creating visual options that can compensate for the absence of complete water tightness!
A waterproof seam keeps the previously warmed-up water inside the suit from escaping. When water escapes, this is referred to as’flushing,’ thus a completely waterproof suit will significantly reduce any flushing.
Summer vs. winter
As previously said, full length wetsuits are required throughout the winter months, however shorty wetsuits are more popular during the summer. The temperature of the water is determined by the time of year, and the type of wetsuit you wear is entirely dependant on the temperature of the water you intend to enter.
Here’s a quick reference to the many types of wetsuits and accessories you’ll need for different water temperatures:
winter
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12 degrees Celsius
A 4mm complete wetsuit is necessary, with wet boots as an option.
9 degrees Celsius
A 5mm complete wetsuit is essential, as are wet boots and a hood and gloves.
6 degrees Celsius
A 6mm complete wetsuit is required, as are wet boots, a hood, and gloves.
summer
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22 degrees Celsius
In this temperature, neither a wetsuit nor any equipment are required.
19 degrees Celsius
A 2mm shorty wetsuit with no accessories is recommended.
15 degrees Celsius
A 3mm shorty or complete wetsuit with no accessories is recommended.