How To Dedice Which Wetsuit To Buy Summer or Winter

Wetsuits are essential if you plan on participating in any water sport which involves being in cold water. Advancements in wetsuit technology have helped water sports users to keep warm in cold water for extended periods. It is now possible to participate in water sports throughout the year with a well made wetsuit even in winter. If you want to keep warm in the water throughout the winter months it is essential that you purchase a good quality winter wetsuit.

Winter wetsuits are made up of thicker neoprene compared to summer wetsuits, this thicker neoprene helps keep in and insulate the body’s heat. The neoprene works by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and your body. This layer of water conducts the heat from your body and provides warmth within the wetsuit. If you wear a summer wetsuit in the winter it is most likely you would get extremely cold and end up with painful cramps in your muscles. This is because the neoprene is too thin to effectively keep the water inside the wetsuit warm. It is as important to also get the correct fit as a wetsuit that is to big will let in water which will cool your body to quickly and make you cold. A wetsuit that is to tight will stretch out the neoprene making it thinner and a colder wetsuit. Below is a guide to which wetsuit to wear in different water temperatures.

20C’22C  2mm Shorty Wetsuit
18C’20C Short or 3/2mm Full Wetsuit
15C’18C 3/2mm Full Wetsuit
12C’15C 4/3mm Full Wetsuit
9C-12C 5/3mm Full Wetsuit with Wetsuit Gloves & Wetsuit Boots
9 C ‘ Below 6mm Full with Hood  and Gloves & Boots

As you can see if you are the colder the temperature of the water requires a thicker wetsuit and in water below 9c you will need to wear a wetsuit hood and gloves. The wetsuit hood insulates the head and helps stops essential heat escaping. Also the wetsuit hood prevents ‘Ice cream headaches’ when being submerged under the cold water. The wetsuit gloves are used to stop the cold water from physically hurting the hands through coldness and to give them warmth.

Choosing a winter wetsuit also may depend on how prone to cold you are and if you find yourself getting cold you could wear a thermal rash vest to go underneath your wetsuit. A thermal rash vest is normally made from a material called ‘Polypro’. This material is like a close knit fleece and provides and extra layer of insulation underneath a wetsuit. 

If in any doubt please feel free to call the guys at www.wetsuitcentre.co.uk 

e-mail: info@wetsuitcemtre.co.uk

Tel 01202 302943