Guide for the Best Wetsuit for Men & Women

A  wetsuit is a very important garment if we want to carry out an aquatic activity in cold waters and maintain our body heat thanks to this thermal insulation. In addition, it is something that has to last as long as possible, since they are not cheap, and sometimes we can’t afford to be getting new wetsuits  too often. Therefore, we give you some advice on how to choose the neoprene that best suits you, the different types, seams and brands. These are the best advise for men and women looking for a wetsuit.

1. Fitting the wetsuit

When it comes to choosing a wetsuit, the fit and adaptation to the shape of the body is essential. A low quality but anatomy fitting wetsuit will always work much better than a high quality but ill fitting wetsuit. Therefore, feeling that it fits us properly is very important, especially in the torso and the length of the arms and legs.

The wetsuit must fit completely close to the body to be effective, without any wrinkles or creases, but it must also be comfortable and easy to put on and take off. Before buying it, try on several sizes until you find one that you feel comfortable with and that fits your body well. There are special suits for boys and girls, with the characteristics that best adapt to the body of men and women. Girls’ suits tend to be wider at the hips and chest.

When you try on a wetsuit, try doing a few stretches and squats to see if it fits your body contour. If you notice that it is too loose in the lower back, it means that it does not fit your body shape well, so the water will enter and you will not be able to keep warm.

Another factor to consider is the fit around the neck. The suit doesn’t have to feel like we’re drowning, but it does have to prevent water from getting in when we have to dive full-length, like duck diving. There is a wide variety of closure systems according to the different brands of neoprene, such as the back zipper with velcro or the front zipper from Xcel or C-Skins. Most people have to try on several outfits until they find one that fits them.

• Types of wetsuits

Wetsuits can be found with different sleeve and leg combinations. The most common is with long arms and legs, but there are also those with short arms and legs (short suit), with long arms and short legs, and with long legs and short arms.

• Wetsuit Stiching

There are many ways of sewing on wetsuits. One of the most basic is the Quicksilver Cell, where there are fewer pieces and fewer stiches than in other suits, with the aim of reducing the entry of water through the seams. It also boasts a high level of stitch precision throughout the neoprene. Another noteworthy suit is the O’neill Psycho.

It will depends on the stitching that more or less water enters the interior. Basic wetsuits are usually made with flatlock seams, which let a lot of water through into the suit. Medium-high range wetsuits are manufactured with a system of gluing and blind seams, that is, first the edges of the neoprene plates are glued and then they are sewn on one side without the stitches going through the neoprene, thus avoiding the entry of water. The high-end suits also have seams sealed with a special rubber, thus achieving even more tightness.

4. Special characteristics according to brand

Wetsuit manufacturers try to improve the experience for surfers by introducing new materials that prevent rashes or chafing on the skin. Rip Curl introduced the Batwing system a few years ago for its wetsuits, with which it intends to keep the heat mainly in the surfer’s torso, since the water that seeps through the back zipper causes that part to swell. cool before. Therefore, he added an extra layer of neoprene for additional protection.

5. Wetsuit Price

How much do you want to spend on a wetsuit? There are full suits that fit all pockets, it all depends on the brand and the thickness of the suit.

• Accesories

In addition to the suits, there are wetsuit accessories to protect the feet, hands, head and chest from the cold. The booties are neoprene boots that, in addition to protecting from the cold, are very useful for walking on rocky or volcanic bottoms. There are also neoprene gloves and hats to protect yourself from the most intense cold. And the bibs, which are like neoprene shirts that protect from the cold when the water is not yet cold enough to wear a suit.

If you need more information on how to acquire the best affordable wetsuit according to your needs, please be so kind to contact us or visit our online shop