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Lauren Belt January 27th, 2016 Posted In: How-to Tags: Kayak, Surf
Want to know how to buy a wetsuit? We’ve put together a wetsuit guide in order to make wetsuit buying a little less overwhelming!
First off, you’ll see a thickness at the beginning of a product (i.e. 3/2mm or 5/4/3mm). Wetsuit thickness is described in millimeters (mm) and the number is the thickness of the wetsuit material called neoprene.
The thicker the wetsuit, the more insulation it provides. However as the thickness increases, the heavier and more restrictive the wetsuit becomes. Hence, a 3/2mm wetsuit will give you much more range and flexibility compared to a 5/4/3mm wetsuit.
Every wetsuit also features a seam construction. This includes: Flatlock, Sealed, Sealed & Taped, and even Stitchless.
Flatlock:
Flatlock seams are great for warm water temps (65°F & up) as they do allow a thin layer of water to enter the wetsuit. The interior and exterior seams look like railroad tracks, but the interior is flat and comfortable against the skin.
Sealed (Glued & Blindstitched):
Sealed seams are great for cold water temps (55°F & up)! The exterior seam looks similar to flatlock but is narrower in width and the interior seam often has a glue line along the seam. Very little water will seep through these seams.
Sealed & Liquid Taped (Glued Blindstitched & Taped):
Sealed & Taped seams are great for very cold water temps (55°F & below). These seams have the same construction as sealed seams but there’s taping along either the interior seam or exterior seam (or sometimes on both sides.) This taping reinforces seams and prevents water from seeping through.
Stitchless:
Stitchless seams are featured in some super high-end wetsuits. The panels of neoprene are fused and glued together instead of the neoprene panels being pierced. This creates a lighter, flexible, and more durable seam.
With all of this in mind, here’s handy wetsuit guide to ease the guessing of what wetsuit you need:
The grade (or type) of neoprene used for a wetsuit also affects the feel and performance. Most suits today are made of super stretch neoprene for a better fit and flexibility.
Neoprene types can be broken down into Standard, Good, Great, and Superior.
Standard is your least stretchy type of neoprene but is still durable and affordable. These suits are great for general water and rental use as well as industrial applications.
Good has more flexibility than standard and the super stretch neoprene is in flex areas like the shoulders and underarms. These suits are great for entry-level performance water sports and for wetsuit users who don’t want to break the bank!
Great has super stretch neoprene throughout the entire suit thus creating a better fit and performance. You can wear these suits a couple of times a week or more!
Superior suits are made of the highest grade of super stretch neoprene throughout the entire suit and have a higher price range. Great for serious water sport enthusiasts and pros!
Then there’s the inner lining of a wetsuit. This can increase the insulation as well as the cost of a wetsuit. Most wetsuits now use poly fleece as the lining. The poly fleece is a microfiber that helps wick water away from your skin and effectively keeps you drier faster.
Still unsure or feel overwhelmed on how to buy a wetsuit? We get it and that’s why we’re here for you! Call us at 866-906-7848, email us at service@wetsuitwearhouse.com, or hit us up on live chat!
I want to keep my butt dry kayaking in Oregon lakes in my leaky snap together kayak. Would shorts in a 3/2 thickness, good neoprene keep me dry and warmer?
Hey Lucy,
Thanks for asking! Unfortunately, you will still get wet in a wetsuit. Wetsuits do a good job at maintaining warmth so if you’re looking to stay warm, maybe look into thick shorts or a long jane/jacket combo. Again, you will not stay dry with this toption.
A drysuit or dry tops/bottoms will be the only option to keep you completely dry while kayaking. And we currently offer two drysuit options but they are full body suits, not shorts. Feel free to contact our customer service and they can answer any more questions – email is service@wetsuitwearhouse.com or call 866-906-7848. Thanks and have a great one!
Looking for a wetsuit that fits my needs without breaking the bank. I have an indoor 30 k gallon lap pool that is difficult to use doing laps in early spring when the pool has just opened after a seasonal winterization. The water temp is around 65° – 70° and am considering using a wetsuit to take the “chill” off before I begin swimming laps. Looking for a comfortable wetsuit that would provide both flexibility and comfort from the cold and no skin rash after a few morning daily workouts. Thank you for any suggestions. Sincerely, TBESC. (Trying to Break the Early Spring Chill).
Hey there!
It sounds like the best option for what you’re looking for is a long john triathlon suit. These suits are great for swimming and with those water temps, a long john will provide the right amount of coverage and warmth without constricting any movement. Check out our selection of those suits here: https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/SEARCH.html#/?_=1&page=1&filter.sports_combined=Triathlon&filter.suit_type=Long%20Johns
And if you have any more questions or are still unsure of what you need to get, feel free to reach out to our customer service team! Their email is service@wetsuitwearhouse.com and the phone number is 866-906-7848. Thank you!
Hey, Is there a suit I can use for swim in in the cold ocean and also use it for kayak?
Kind regards
Hey Caio,
Unfortunately, that is going to be tough for two main reasons: 1) The thickness you need for swimming will need to be heavier than a wetsuit for kayaking for the same water temp. That’s because while swimming you are constantly exposed and in the water. With kayaking, it’s mostly splash.
2) Suits for swimming have a smooth rubber coating, which can be delicate for anything other than swimming.
There are some more reasons why it isn’t ideal to use one suit for both, but those are the main two. Buy the suit for what you’re doing most.
Hope that helps and thanks for asking!
Hi there, We are going snorkeling in the Keys next March and are a little concerned about the 65F water temps especially for the kiddos. What would you recommend considering price,functionality and ease of use for our 7 and 8 year old guys. These suits probably won’t get a ton of use. Can you recommend some brands and features to look for. We are new to wetsuits. Thanks
Hey Andy,
Thanks for asking! Due to those water temps, they could get away with a shorty springsuit. And because they won’t be using these suits a ton, we recommend the 2mm HyperFlex ACCESS springsuit which you can find here: https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/777-XA620CB-44.html#.V7SRJjVWXXg. This is a basic suit with an entry level price point, so not a ton of stretch but it will do just fine in the Keys in those temps! Feel free to contact customer service via phone (866-906-7848) or email (service@wetsuitwearhouse.com) if you need additional information or more help!
Thank you!
I am spending a week in March snorkling and swimming with whales 99 miles off the coast of the Domincan Republic. The temp of the water is 70 degrees. A full wetsuit is recommended. I am about 5’3″, female, about 145lbs, and 62 yrs old. What type of wetsuit would you suggest.
Hi Terry,
Based on your height and weight, you should look into a Short size. Take a look at this Henderson Thermoprene fullsuit: https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/PROD/A830WB.html#.V8nQPjVWXXg. This suit is great for those water temps and it has a wide range of sizes including 6S and 8S which is where you might fall into. Feel free to contact customer service either via phone (866-906-7848) or email (service@wetsuitwearhouse.com) with some more measurements and they will help you find just the suit you need for your awesome trip in the Dominican!
Looking for a full body wetsuit (possibly with hood as well) to swim laps in our 40K gallon pool. Swimming laps all summer yet now the water is too cold to enjoy. A friend suggested getting a wetsuit but I don’t have a clue as what would serve my purpose best. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hey Susan,
Thanks for asking! For swimming or swimming laps, a triathlon suit would be best. Here is a link to our selection of full triathon wetsuits which will work well in cold water as well as socks, caps and gloves:https://www.wetsuitwearhouse.com/search.html#/?_=1&filter.sports_combined=Triathlon&page=1&filter.suit_type=Fullsuits&filter.suit_type=Boots&filter.suit_type=Hoods&filter.suit_type=Gloves. Please feel free to reach out to our customer service team either via phone, 866-906-7848 or email, service@wetsuitwearhouse.com if you need any additional help!
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