Your ultimate wetsuit guide!

Thinking of buying a new wetsuit and came across this guide? So, you are in the right place as this will be a comprehensive guide on wetsuits. You will learn what a wetsuit is, why you should wear a wetsuit, the different types of wetsuits and when to wear neoprene accessories and when you can leave them at home. This tutorial is long, but we've made the table of contents clickable so you can quickly jump to the section you want to learn about without having to scroll endlessly to the desired topic. However, to get the most out of this article, I would recommend that you read the whole thing. Don't worry, it's an insightful and entertaining guide (That's my opinion, but I'm also biased).

Introduction to wetsuits

You've probably been to the beach and seen a surfer wearing a wetsuit. But have you ever thought about what a wetsuit is? How do wetsuits work? Let's find out.
When it's a chilly day, you wear something thick to keep you warm. The same can be said about wetsuits. You wear them to keep you warm while in the water.
Some places are warmer than others, so there are also different types of wetsuits with different thicknesses. In winter, you can use a sweater or hoodie. In the world of water sports, you must wear a wetsuit or a wetsuit with a hood. During the summer you can wear a thinner wetsuit.

Figure 1 - Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4 Hooded Streamer wetsuit

But back to the question, what is a wetsuit? A wetsuit provides you with thermal protection while using your body as a heat source. As you can imagine, you can't bring a radiator while you're out on the water, so you have to wear something to keep you from getting cold. The last thing you want to experience is hypothermia. Hypothermia is when your body temperature is below 35°C (your average body temperature hovers around 36.5°C - 37.5°C) and a lot of bad things start to happen when your core temperature drops to less.

 

As mentioned earlier, you want to be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. If the water is freezing cold, wear a thick wetsuit with boots, gloves and maybe a hood . When the water is very hot, you can make do with a rashguard. In the wetsuit neoprene thickness recommendation table, I highlight the recommended type of wetsuit and its thickness to be worn under specific weather conditions. Simply put, the colder the water, the thicker the wetsuit should be. The warmer the water, the thinner the wetsuit - under some conditions you may be better off without a wetsuit.

Neoprene

In the last section I introduced you to a new term - neoprene . What is neoprene and why is it relevant? In the introduction, we learned about what a wetsuit does and that it consists of a layer of material. This material is neoprene, which is the name of a carbon-based organic chemical called polychloroprene, which in turn is a polymer - a large molecule made of repeating building blocks called monomers. I'm not a chemist so I can't elaborate on what all that meant, but what does matter is that neoprene is a type of foam rubber with a cellular structure that has nitrogen bubbles trapped inside it. In short, neoprene is excellent at keeping you warm and that is exactly why neoprene is relevant.

The layers of the wetsuit

When you are cold, you may decide to go out with several layers of clothing on. Maybe you want to wear a t-shirt under a hoodie while wearing a winter jacket to keep you warm outside. Wetsuits are made of different layers as well to help trap body heat. Some wetsuits have a thin layer of copper or titanium to reflect your body heat, some may use different materials - all to keep you warm in the water.

Figure 2 - See here how Prolimit has built up the different layers in their wetsuit Raider 4/3

We've already briefly discussed how a wetsuit allows a small amount of water to enter the suit, which your body heat warms up , but what about the other layers? Each wetsuit manufacturer has their own wetsuit technology so they can add layers, it works like this:

A thin layer of water that is heated by your body
A thin layer of nylon or other comfortable fabric that prevents the neoprene from irritating your skin
A thin layer of heat-reflective material based on metal oxides of titanium, silver, aluminium, magnesium or copper
A thick layer of neoprene that contains nitrogen bubbles - this is an important layer as it keeps you warm
Durable outer layer made of water-resistant material

As you can see, there is a lot that needs to work when wearing a wetsuit

Wetsuit vs. Dry suit

I have made a table below that describes how wetsuits and drysuits differ from each other:

Figure 3 - ION Fuse 4/3 Drysuit

Drysuits are fully sealed and use a combination of different types of stitching to keep water out and keep you dry. Although drysuits are looser than wetsuits, unlike wetsuits they do not let water in (which is part of its layering process). As a result, you can wear more insulating layers under your dry suit.

 

Do I need a dry suit for my water sports?

For most water sports such as kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, surfing, kayaking, spearfishing and any other water sport, you'll be fine with a wetsuit. It may be a good idea to consider a dry suit when you are in cold water for an extended period of time or prefer to stay dry. They can be used for kitesurfing, waterskiing, windsurfing, diving or kayaking, but the water has to be extremely cold to justify wearing one (most people actively engaged in these sports in colder seasons still wear wetsuits or decide not to go out ). Drysuits are typically used for commercial and military purposes (diving), rescue or work where you have to be in (cold) water all day.

Why should I wear a wetsuit?

Now that we've covered what a wetsuit is (and the basics of a drysuit), you may still be wondering why you should wear a wetsuit, especially since wetsuits can be expensive. The thing is, if you decide to go out into open water often, you'll probably end up with a wetsuit regardless of your sport (swimming, surfing, diving, etc.). Wetsuits keep you warm, protect you from sharp objects and can help you stay afloat. Below I will cover why you should get a wetsuit when doing outdoor water sports.

The wetsuit keeps you warm

That a wetsuit keeps you warm is probably no surprise to you. If you are out in open water, you may be surprised at how cold the water can be, even when the temperature in the air may be comfortable. A water temperature of only 18°C ​​can be a shock to your body if you are not prepared for it, so it is a good idea to wear a wetsuit unless you are sure you can handle the water temperature (but we would still recommend you to carry one - just to be sure).

As explained in the previous section of this article, wetsuits are made of neoprene, which is a rubber-type material designed to keep you warm in the water - you can even stay warm when it's cold outside! The thing is, when your body is warm, you will be able to swim longer, better or satisfactorily to perform your sport. I think we can all agree that being out in cold water affects your experience (unless you love cold water, but that's another story), so get a wetsuit, especially if you catch a cold quickly - then it is almost a must.

Figure 4 - Rip Curl Aggrolite

The wetsuit keeps cold water out

In the wetsuit vs drysuit section, we found that wetsuits actually make you wet. What it has to do, however, is to heat up the water that comes in and also keep it in. If the fit of your wetsuit is not correct or not tight, the warm water layer is continuously flushed in and out and replaced with cold water from the sea (not comfortable, I can tell you!). If that happens, you'd almost think you'd be better off without a wetsuit. That's why it's important to get a wetsuit that fits you correctly to get the most out of it. Stopping cold water from getting in and out of your wetsuit is the important part of your wetsuit.

The wetsuit adds a layer that acts as physical protection

The sea can be full of sharp objects: rocks, shells and etc. which are not pleasant to step on or be cut off. Wetsuits are made of neoprene which protects you from the aforementioned cuts. Be aware that wetsuits can destroy and should not be seen as medieval armor.
But would you rather have a cut in your wetsuit or on your skin? I know what I would choose!

Wetsuits add buoyancy

Neoprene wetsuits often have built-in air bubbles to keep you warm in the water. In addition to this benefit, they also add buoyancy to your wetsuit. As a result, it allows you to swim higher in the water, which in turn allows you to go faster. This support can be a significant advantage in certain sports, such as triathlons, as the easier swimming can give you a better result in your race.

Please note, however, that a wet suit is not a substitute for a life jacket . Although they give you some buoyancy, don't rely on it. If you are uncomfortable with swimming, be sure to wear a life jacket - just to be safe!

Figure 5 - Rip Curl Aggrolite

The wetsuit allows you to swim faster

Speed ​​is a good thing in competitive sports where every second counts. The buoyancy in a wetsuit allows the swimmer to swim a little faster than without it. The longer you have to swim, the more savings you will notice. However, this advantage will diminish depending on how skilled the swimmer is.

Why you don't want to wear a wetsuit

The cost of wetsuits can be expensive

Wetsuits can be a significant investment that can vary from hundreds to thousands of DKK.
Let's cover the cons of why you don't want or shouldn't wear a wetsuit now that we've covered all the perks of wearing one.

Wet suits do not feel comfortable

If you're not used to wearing a wetsuit, they can give you the feeling of being cooped up. It's almost like wearing a life jacket or a piece of clothing that is way too tight. For some, this feeling can cause panic mid-swim.

Getting in and out of the wetsuit takes time

This is mainly relevant for those who do triathlons. While we know wearing a wetsuit can save you time while swimming, you still have to get in and out of it, which can add precious minutes to your transition time.

Figure 6 - ION neoprene hoodie - which you can quickly get out of

Wetsuit types

You will be surprised to learn that there are many types of wetsuits. You have the regular ones, also just called wetsuits, in addition there are short and long Johns / Janes, shorties and many more. Your choice of wetsuit depends heavily on the temperature of the water where you will be surfing or swimming. There are plenty of options, so let's go through each one and analyze which type of wetsuit is appropriate for specific conditions.

Regular wetsuit

A regular wetsuit covers your entire body, so your torso, legs and arms. You've probably seen one before, as they are the most popular wetsuit model out there. The design of this wetsuit is built for warmth. Therefore, they are ideal for colder water conditions. These wetsuits are made in different thicknesses for different water temperatures. Usually the thickness varies from 3/2 mm to 5/4 mm. Depending on how cold the water is, you can also use neoprene gloves, boots and a hood.

Figure 7 - Prolimit Raider Streamer 5/3

Wetsuit with hood

A hooded wetsuit is like a regular wetsuit, except for the fact that they come with an attached hood. Up to 45% of body heat is lost through the head, so a full hooded wetsuit will help you and your head stay warm. These wetsuits usually come in 6mm thickness.

Figure 8 – Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4 Chest Zip Hooded Streamer

Short John/Jane

Short Johns (or Jane, the female version of a Short Johns) wetsuits are made for warmer waters during the summer months. They are made of thinner neoprene compared to a regular wetsuit, from 1.5mm to 2mm. Short Johns don't cover your arms - they cover your torso and thighs. However, it is recommended to wear a rashguard under your Short John to increase protection against sharp objects and the sun.

Figure 9 - Ion Monoshorty 2mm Short John

 

Long John/Jane

Long Johns (or Long Janes, the female version of Long Johns) are like regular wetsuits, but they are made of thinner neoprene (1.5mm - 2mm), but your arms are not covered by any material (your legs are covered , as opposed to a short John). They are good for when the air temperature is warm but the water is still cold. Long Johns are an ideal suit for paddling as you don't create as much drag as with a regular wetsuit.

Figure 10 - ION Mouse Long Jane

Spring suits/ Spring wetsuits

Springsuits or Spring Wetsuits are wetsuits that provide full or limited coverage of your arms and legs. They usually come in a maximum thickness of 2 mm and are worn during the spring and summer when the water does not freeze and does not boil. You could say they cover the awkward phase where it's too hot to wear a regular wetsuit but too cold to not wear any neoprene.

Figure 11 - Rip Curl Omega 1.5mm S/S Springsuit

Wetsuit with short arms/legs

Short sleeve wetsuits are another popular type of wetsuit, it is partially legless and armless. They are up to 3mm thick and cover your core, rear and upper thighs, meaning your lower legs and forearms are exposed to the water. Short sleeve wetsuits are used in warm waters where you can't or don't want to surf without neoprene protection.

Figure 12 - An ION Jewel Element 3/2 Backzip Streamer

Neoprene jacket

A neoprene jacket offers extra neoprene protection for the torso and arms. They are ideal for hot but windy locations. Compared to a vest, a neoprene jacket provides more warmth. They also have full length sleeves (unlike Johns) and provide some protection from sharp elements. Neoprene jackets are usually 1mm - 2mm thick.

Figure 13 - Prolimit Racer jacket

Neoprene vest

A neoprene vest offers neoprene protection for the upper body in hot environments. It can protect you from UV rays, rashes and cold winds. They can also be used as impact vests to absorb when you fall into the water.

Figure 14 - Prolimit Slider Vest

Neoprene bottoms

Neoprene shorts, give you extra warmth in warm water. They are often combined with a neoprene vest.

Figure 15 - ION Mouse Shorty

Rash guard

Rashguards are usually made of lycra and are used to protect you from sun and sand, but also from cuts and stings. Those who use them in the water wear them under their wetsuit to prevent irritation and rashes.

Figure 16 - Rip Curl G-Bomb UV Rashguard

Accessories for the wetsuit

Depending on the weather conditions, wearing a wetsuit is not always enough to keep you warm. What about your feet, hands and head? Let's cover all the neoprene accessories out there.

Neoprene hood

We learned that there are hooded wetsuits out there to help keep you warm (remember, up to 45% of body heat is lost through the head) , but you can also buy hoods separately. By not purchasing a hooded wetsuit, you have much more flexibility in terms of using your wetsuit, as hooded wetsuits are thick. By purchasing a hood separately, you can use the hood when needed.

Figure 17 - ION Neo 3/2 Cap

If you are interested in a hooded wetsuit (a wetsuit with a hood attached to it), you should check out the Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4 Chest Zip Hooded Streamer Wetsuit ( Men / Women ) or the Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5 / 4 Hooded Chest Zip Wetsuit (men only).

Neoprene gloves

If you're like me and get cold hands quickly, having a pair of neoprene gloves is a no-brainer. Neoprene gloves are designed like your wetsuit and to keep your hands warm.

Figure 18 - ION Arma Gloves

Neoprene boots

Neoprene boots, also known as neoprene shoes, keep your feet warm in the coldest water. In addition, they protect your feet from sharp objects such as stones and shells. A must-have when it starts to get cold (or when the water is already cold, which is most of the time in Denmark).

Figure 19 - Prolimit Predator 5mm boot

Fortunately, neoprene boots are often unisex, making the search for a pair easier for you. The neoprene shoes are usually thick as you don't need them in warm water conditions. Prolimit Predator 5mm boots orProlimit Flow 5mm boots are recommended, take a closer look.

Difference between wetsuits for men and women

As we discovered in the previous section, wetsuits are not unisex , unlike some neoprene gear like boots and gloves. Especially short & long Johns (for men) and short & long Janes (for women) But what is the difference between wetsuits for men and women?

The wetsuit design

The wetsuits designed for men are shaped differently than those for women. Women's wetsuits have wider hips, more chest room and less material around the shoulders compared to men's wetsuits.

Wetsuit str?

If you've been shopping around for a wetsuit, you may have noticed that men's wetsuits are usually listed with letters (S, M, L, etc.), while women's wetsuits are often listed with numbers (2, 4, 6, etc .)

 

Color and design of wetsuits

Previously, all wetsuits were black, which was boring to look at. Sometimes they had a different color tone or a floral pattern here and there, but that was it. Today you can find colorful wetsuits or wetsuits with exciting designs and patterns. A general rule is that most bright and colorful wetsuits are made for women. This does not mean that men can only buy black wetsuits. No, but it can be challenging to find a wetsuit with all the colors of the rainbow (let me know if you manage to find one!) or interesting patterns, whereas it's easier for women's wetsuits.

Figure 20 - Rip Curl Gbomb 4/3 Zip free with great colors and patterns

So can women wear the same wetsuits as men?

Women can certainly wear men's wetsuits. However, it may not be a pleasant experience depending on your figure. If you have wide hips or need more room around the chest, definitely go for a women's wetsuit (which should be the optimal choice). Sometimes only men's models are available. Modern wetsuits are flexible and conform to your body shape quite well, but should be a last resort. Fortunately, we have plenty of wetsuits for women and even more wetsuits for men - both covering a wide range of colours, patterns and sizes.

Wetsuits for children and teenagers

You've probably seen kids surfing around in a wetsuit. Lots of manufacturers, such as Rip Curl, ION and Prolimit, also make children's wetsuits, and they often have the same unique features as adult wetsuits.
Wetsuits for children (4-12) are often unisex and become gender-specific when they reach a certain height and weight requirement - usually when the child is (will become) a teenager.

Figure 21 - ION Capture for children and teenagers

Wetsuit thickness

We've covered the different types of wetsuits out there, but we haven't gone into depth about wetsuit thickness yet. What does 5/3 mean and should I wear a 6mm thick wetsuit when the water is 20°C? The answer to the latter question is no, but let's examine everything about wetsuit thickness.

Figure 22 - Prolimit Edge 5/3 Streamer - What does 5/3 stand for?

What does the thickness of neoprene on your wetsuit mean?

The thickness of the neoprene on your wetsuit is the most decisive factor for your new wetsuit purchase, not the design, the zip system or the brand. The wrong thickness can make you feel uncomfortable when you're out in the water - either being too cold or too hot. It requires a different thickness or type of wetsuit depending on the weather conditions. You don't want to wear a 6/4 wetsuit with a hood when it's 25°C in the water - you'll literally die from the heat, especially when doing high-energy tricks. Likewise, you don't want a neoprene bottom when the water is 5°C - hypothermia is no joke!

 

What do the different thicknesses mean for your wetsuit

A 5/3 wetsuit, a 6/4 wetsuit with full hood or semidry 4/3 suit. What do the numbers mean and represent? The thickness of a wetsuit is represented by two numbers in millimeters. The first number before the “/” tells you how thick the neoprene is around the torso area, while the second number informs you of the thickness of the other areas, including the arms and legs. Some brands use a third number. In these cases the first number still represents the torso area, the second everything but the arms and the third about the arms.

 

Let's analyze three different wetsuits for both men and women:

 

A Men's Rip Curl Omega 5/3 Back Zip Wetsuit (women's version available here ). The thickness of the neoprene around the upper body is 5 mm, while the thickness around the arms and legs is 3 mm thick.

A Women's ION Trinity Element Semidry 5/4 Zip Wetsuit Front Zip . The first number tells us that the neoprene around the torso is 5mm thick, while the thickness everywhere else is 4mm thick.

Rip Curl Flashbomb 6/4 chest with hood. The thickness around the torso is 6mm thick, while everything else, including the hood, is 4mm thick.

Figure 23 - ION Trinity Element Semidry 5/4 Wetsuit - one of the wetsuits we have looked at more closely

What about wetsuits that don't have arm or leg protection? In this case, the product name or description only mentions the thickness around the torso. In some cases the thickness is the same for all areas, like this Rip Curl 2mm Aggrolite Short John.

 

We've already established that thicker neoprene keeps you warm. What we must not forget, however, is that thick neoprene limits your flexibility in the water. Typically, the thick neoprene is placed where you need the least flexibility, which is your core. The thinner neoprene is where your body is in constant motion, which is your arms and legs. Below is a table with what kind of wetsuit you should wear according to the weather conditions and water temperature. Before we look at that, there are a few general things you should be aware of:

The suggestions in the table are general. And can vary up to 10 ° C depending on your weight, activity level and the temperature of the water.

Wetsuit manufacturers may have a recommendation table that differs from the table in this article.

If you get cold quickly, consider getting a thicker wetsuit, a different type of wetsuit, or wearing neoprene accessories.

If you get hot quickly while out in the water, consider getting something thinner or leaving your accessories at home.

The thicker the wetsuit, the more expensive it will be. If you are a person with good water activity, you can consider getting a thinner wetsuit when the weather is pleasant.

If you want to go out year-round, consider getting more wetsuits. At least one for the warmer days and one for the (incredibly) cold days.

Table - What thickness wetsuit should you wear

* John can be read as Jane .

Figure 24 - ION 1.5 Top

Wetsuit sizes

Wetsuit sizes vary from brand to brand and do not conform to common clothing size standards. Therefore, it is very important to refer to the manufacturer's size guide before purchasing a wetsuit, as you may learn that said wetsuit is too big or too small for you. Below are the size charts for different wetsuit brands. The letters (SL - Small-Large) are often used for men's wetsuits, while numbers (2-14) are often used for women's wetsuits (for example, Rip Curl uses SL for their men's E-bom 3/2 Zip Free Wetsuit , but uses numbers for their women's wetsuits: Flashbomb 5/3 . However, this is not always the case. For example, ION uses numbers for both men's and women's wetsuits and boots/shoes when using the European size (numbers) and letters for US sizes (letters), but letters for something else like harnesses, helmets and tops / bottoms.
Finally, some manufacturers use intermediate sizes highlighted with S & T (for example, MT = medium-tall, MS = medium-short; 6S = 6 short, 8T = 8 tall) to reflect height, while using regular sizes to refer to a standard body shape.
Note: These are recommended / average recommendations of wetsuit sizes. You are welcome to contact us if you are unsure of your size - we are here to help.

Rip Curl:

Please note that the height is in cm and the weight is in kg.

Rip Curl Women's Wetsuit Size Chart

Rip Curl, for children and teenagers

ION

ION Men's Wetsuit Size Chart

ION Women's Wetsuit Size Chart

ION Youth Wetsuit Size Chart

ProLimit

ProLimit Men's Wetsuit Size Chart

ProLimit Women's Wetsuit Size Chart

ProLimit Youth (Grommet) Wetsuit Size Chart

O'Neill

Men's O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart

Women's O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart

Youth O'Neill Wetsuit Size Chart

The fit of the wetsuit

If you've read this article in its entirety, you've probably noticed that I keep saying that having a tight-fitting wetsuit can be the difference between enjoying your water sports activity or loathing it . It is therefore important to get a wetsuit that fits you well. It should be a little challenging to get into your wetsuit, depending on the entry system, but not so difficult that you can hardly breathe or move in it. On the other hand, it should not be too easy to get into your wetsuit, as this may be an indicator that it is too big for you.

In the previous section, I showed you the size charts for the popular wetsuit brands out there. If you are unsure of your measurements, go to your local kite shop and try on the wetsuit you want so you are confident in your purchase.

Now let's summarize what we know about the fit of your wetsuit.
The fit of the wetsuit is an important aspect when buying a wetsuit

If it doesn't fit properly, it won't keep you warm and won't allow you the mobility you need.

If you are unsure about your wetsuit size, check the size charts to get an idea of ​​what size you need.

Clothing and wetsuit sizes do not correspond to each other (a common misconception) A wetsuit should feel like your own skin when you wear it.

Checklist to see if your wetsuit fits

After putting on the wetsuit, there must be no excess space around the torso, shoulders, knees or in the crotch area.

A wetsuit that fits will be somewhat challenging to put on when dry

After putting on the wetsuit, raise your arms above your head and straighten your shoulders

If the wetsuit fits well, this stretch should be somewhat restrictive. If you feel a lot of pressure when performing this movement, then your wetsuit is too small.

Do a squat and move your arms around

Both movements should be easy to do. However, wetsuits with a thickness thicker than 5/4 become less mobile, which is common for this type of wetsuit.
If the above points fit, your wetsuit will fit you well!

Wetsuit Entry System – Zippers

 

There are four zip systems or entry systems for wetsuits. We have back zips, chest zips, front zips and no zips. Let's go through each of them.

Figure 25 - Close-up of Prolimit's wetsuit with zip on the back

Wetsuits with a zip on the back

Wetsuits with a zipper on the back are the most sold type of wetsuit. the zipper opens from the lower back to the neck. That is, the zipper goes down your spine and has a long cord so you can get in and out of your wetsuit. Although the first few times getting into your wetsuit are awkward, you'll get used to it quickly. Compared to other entry systems, this kind is easier to get in and out of, which is an advantage. A disadvantage, however, is that water can get through the seams, which is extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately, many manufacturers have limited this from happening, so don't expect to get cold water down your back regularly (unless your wetsuit is too big. That will increase the chance of it happening).

Figure 26 - Prolimit Predator 6/4 Streamer

Wetsuit with front zipper

Wetsuits with a front zipper are the opposite of a back zipper - the zipper is on the front. It opens from the top of your neck to the bottom of your torso. Like the wetsuit with a zipper on the back, this entry system allows you to get into your wetsuit efficiently. Front zippers are often found on wetsuits designed for warmer temperatures.

Figure 27 - ION Onxy Element Semidry 4/3 Front Zip wetsuit

Wetsuits with zipper on the chest

Wetsuits with a chest zipper are usually more flexible and warmer compared to wetsuits with another zipper system because the neoprene covers the back completely, unlike a wetsuit with a back zipper (the zipper material is less flexible and water resistant than neoprene). You enter a wetsuit with a zipper on the chest through a cutout around the neck. That is, you enter the suit through the neckline before pulling the cut-out neck over your head. Finally, you close the zipper around the chest. Chest zips do a great job of keeping water out of the suit. Compared to front and back zippers, chest zippers can be challenging to get into, but you'll quickly learn.

Figure 28 – Rip Curl Flashbomb 3/2 wetsuit with chest zip

Zip free wetsuits

No zipper or zipperless wetsuits have the smallest opening compared to the other entry systems, making them more difficult to get into. In return, you get incredible flexibility with these types of wetsuits. They are often praised for how comfortable they are. Since these wetsuits have no zipper, water does not wash through the zipper or the stitching around the zipper.

Figure 29 - A Prolimit Vapor 6/4 Zip Free Wetsuit

Can you buy a used wetsuit?

Wetsuits can be relatively cheap or insanely expensive, depending on their features. This is the reason why some consider whether they should buy a used wetsuit instead, so that they can save money for other equipment in their water sports. Maybe you don't see the point in spending so much money on a wetsuit. In this section we cover the things you need to be aware of before buying a used wetsuit.

 

How long does a wetsuit last?

Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to the question of how long wetsuits last. It also has a lot to say about how much it has been used. Has it been used 5 times or has it been used every day for half a year. This is important to know when buying a used wetsuit as it may have been abused a lot, meaning it has been used often. How well did the owner take care of their wetsuit? did they rinse the wetsuit with fresh water after each use or just dump it in a dark, damp corner so it smells funny? Where did they keep the wetsuit? In a hot or cold place? Neoprene is sensitive to UV rays, which makes it age faster.

 

As you can see, there is a lot to consider before buying a used wetsuit. Unfortunately, you will not be able to answer all of these questions. Neoprene ages and deteriorates regardless of when you use it or not. You don't want to buy a wetsuit that is at the end of its life.

What should you look for if you buy a used wetsuit?

First, you want to know the type of wetsuit you want and its thickness. Once you have found a wetsuit that meets your requirements, you will need to go over the following four elements:

What is the condition of the neoprene
The flexibility of the neoprene
Holes
Stitching

 

Figure 31 - Is this Prolimit Raider Streamer 5/3 wetsuit new or old?

The condition of the neoprene

If you have never seen or touched a new wetsuit before, I encourage you to go to your local surf shop and try on a new wetsuit so you can feel what a wetsuit should feel like. Then, if the used wetsuit is in the same store, look at the used wetsuit and analyze the following:

New wetsuits feel smooth. The more it feels like you're rubbing a brick, the older the neoprene

Go over the thin places, which are the areas of stitching. These are the areas that will give you less heat (which is normal). If it feels abnormally thin, or if you see that the stitching is on the verge of going up, chances are they will soon.

Check the colors. Do some spots look lighter compared to other spots? It is an indicator of an old wetsuit.

The flexibility of the neoprene

Cheaper wetsuits have non-elastic neoprene, while expensive wetsuits are made from the latest elastic neoprene. So if you touch an old, unused wetsuit and compare it to a new one, it might feel stiffer than a new one, even though it hasn't been used. The same applies when you compare an expensive one with a cheap one. Before making a decision to buy the used wetsuit, test how flexible the neoprene is. If it doesn't stretch, you'll have limited mobility when you're out on the water, and it could be a sign that it's been in the sun a lot or that it's just old.

 

Holes

An obvious thing to look for in a used wetsuit is holes. If the wetsuit has many holes, wearing it will be like wearing nothing when swimming. However, if the wetsuit has a small (a few centimeters) hole or two, you can repair it yourself cheaply or have someone fix it for you. But be sure to identify any holes the wetsuit has and do a thorough evaluation before you buy it.

Stitching

In general, wetsuits start to wear around the seams. Therefore, it is important to identify if any of the stitches have started to come up or come loose. If you see small tears in the stitching, you can expect to see more elsewhere on the used wetsuit.

 

If this sounds too much trouble for you, be sure to check out our cheap Prolimit Raider Streamer 5/3 Wetsuit (Men) or our Rip Curl Omega 5/3 Back Lock Zip (Women).

Figure 32 - ION Jewel Core Semidry 5/4 wetsuit

Misunderstandings about wetsuits

We've covered everything worth knowing about wetsuits in this post. However, there are still some misconceptions that I will go through before we end the article.

 

Wetsuit sizes vary from country to country, even if it is the same brand

Wetsuit sizes do not vary by country if they come from the same brand. For example, a Rip Curl small in Europe would also be small in the US or Asia.

Sizes of clothing and wetsuit are similar

If only it were that easy. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Wetsuit sizes do not correspond to clothing sizes. Earlier we looked at the size charts for different wetsuit brands. If yours isn't listed, don't worry - just go to the manufacturer's website and look for the size chart there.

 

Wetsuits are designed to keep you dry

Wetsuits are designed to let water in. Really? Yes indeed. Wetsuits take in some water and let your body heat warm up the water (If you get a lot of water in your wetsuit, consider going down a size - your body will thank you). Drysuits, on the other hand, are designed to keep you warm and dry. In the section wetsuits vs. drysuit, I briefly cover the differences between the two. Although wetsuits do let water in, don't expect to be soaked when you're done with your activity (unless your suit doesn't fit you) so don't be afraid of it. Remember that wetsuits keep you warm and wet, while drysuits keep you warm and dry.

 

All wetsuits are made the same

If all wetsuits were actually made the same, the manufacturers selling wetsuits would be cheating you. Fortunately, this is not the case. Wetsuits come in a wide variety of designs, thicknesses, types, stitching, technology, features and zippers. Each factor affects the price of the wetsuit, but also the quality of the wetsuits. For example, in Denmark, you don't want to be out in the water wearing a 2mm wetsuit as you will freeze. In Egypt, you better not wear a 6mm wetsuit because it will be uncomfortable in the heat. Different wetsuit manufacturers use different layers of techniques or features that can make the wetsuit more exclusive in terms of durability and stretch. There are many other factors that have been explained throughout this post, so be sure to jump back to them to learn more about them. Otherwise I would repeat myself here!

 

Can I wash the wetsuit in the washing machine?

The short answer is no, the long answer is also no, your wetsuit can NOT withstand being put in the washing machine. You will both destroy the wetsuit and lose your warranty.

 

Wetsuits give you a rash

This misunderstanding was not a misunderstanding before. In the past, wetsuits didn't fit as well as they do today. The design has been improved and irritating materials have been replaced with more comfortable materials, reducing the risk of rashes (as long as the wetsuit fits you correctly). You can also wear a rash guard to prevent irritation when you're out in the water.

Figure 33 - Rip Curl E-Bomb 3/2 wetsuit

Conclusion

Well, that was a lot of info on wetsuits - you've become a wetsuit expert! We've learned about what a wetsuit is, what it's made of, why you should wear one, the types of wetsuits we have and the functions behind them. I tried my best to go in depth, but not too detailed to keep you from getting bored (eg when I tried to explain the chemical composition of neoprene).

 

If you're looking for men's surf wetsuits, check out our men 's wetsuits . For women, see our women's collection . Need boots? We have that too ! Or neoprene gear for spearfishing ?

 

I hope this article was helpful and insightful. Let me know what you didn't know about wetsuits or neoprene before reading this post.

 

See you on the water!