How Much Does a Wetsuit Cost?
Lauren Collison July 14th, 2017 Posted In: Articles, FAQs
Breaking it Down: How Much Does a Wetsuit Cost?
If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in the water, you’ve probably worn a wetsuit on numerous occasions. Perhaps you’ve borrowed one from a friend, or you just have an old one that doesn’t quite work the way it used to. In any case, the time has come for you to buy your own.
When looking for a wetsuit to buy, you’ll be faced with a significant number of options and price points. If this is your first time buying a wetsuit (and even if you’ve purchased one before), it can be overwhelming to try and figure out how much you should spend, and which one to go with.
General Wetsuit Price Points
Wetsuits can vary in price based on a number of factors. In general, the low end is typically around $50 for shorty springsuits, while fullsuits typically start around the $75 range. On the high end, prices typically top out around $500.
So how much does a wetsuit cost? The price can be determined by a number of factors, including the thickness of the wetsuit, the intended purpose, the flexibility and materials used, and the level of water tightness.
Price Breakdowns for Shorty Springsuits and Fullsuits
Factors like thickness, neoprene type & seam type contribute to the cost of a wetsuit.
Breaking it down a little further, when purchasing an inexpensive shorty springsuit, you’ll typically be sacrificing material quality and thickness. All wetsuits are made from a blend of neoprene, and the standard neoprene (which has been around for decades) is the least. The more money you spend, the higher the quality of neoprene you can get.
With fullsuits, the factors above also apply. There are other considerations as well, and they can have a significant impact on the price of your fullsuit. In general, the thicker the suit, the more expensive it will be. If you’re planning to use the suit in relatively warm waters, thickness isn’t all that important. However, if you’re planning to spend any time in cold water, it’s a good idea to invest in a thicker suit.
Another serious difference between low-end and high-end full suits is the insulation. If you want or need the full warming effects of a wetsuit, you’ll be much better off spending the extra money up front for a highly insulated wetsuit. As a general rule, the more you pay for a wetsuit, the warmer, more watertight, and flexible it will be.
Ready to shop for a suit? Check out our selection of wetsuits at all price points!
