Why should I buy a wetsuit? After two decades-plus of Xcel, O’Neill, and Rip Curl, I finally took the plunge on a smaller company a year or two ago and have been wearing Feral wetsuits ever since. We have size charts for all wetsuits we sell online and you can take your measurements as a good start. Scuba- after wearing our main brand wetsuits (guiding in Indonesia), I was fitted for a custom Elios free dive wetsuit. Do you surf, or plan to surf in California? counter-reset: mycounter
This will cause drag, and fill the suit with water and the wetsuit will not work at its best. Great Lakes? counter-increment: mycounter;
by Justin Housman | Jun 8, 2020 | Gear | 21 comments. Lots of these little companies are still surfer owned and operated, often by surfers every bit as hardcore as their customers. I wear a M oNeil Techno butter and love the fit and comfort. DTC companies typically sell their suits at about the same price point as big manufacturers, but without the middlemen of retail markups, the rubber quality is typically much higher. Check out LANDYWETSUITS.COM Diving suits – what are the types and how do they differ? If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Some add subtle forearm ridges to increase stroke power, or tailor the arm fabric to encourage a high elbow at the top of your crawl (many swimmers … Some shops offer sessions where you can try on a range of wetsuits at a local pool and work out which one suits you best. It looking bleak around here these days. A 3/2 covers most the year in Ventura area! Flexibility in the right places is also vital. Depending on when, where and why you’re swimming, there are many different styles. The extra visibility you get without the visor is really nice. Im one of those guys that likes the warmth. Flatstitch or Flatlock 3. Required fields are marked *. Like many expensive outdoor products, there’s also a robust direct-to-consumer wetsuit industry clawing at its share of the market. Different wetsuit manufacturers can vary in their cut and shape, meaning a MT in Billabong may fit you better than a MT in O'Neill, for example. In the world of triathlon and ironman races, no other gear is meant to fit as snugly. On the inside, you may recognize this construction from clothing. They’re about the same, I’d say. I have a 5/4 too, but only wear that one when I’m bodysurfing and neck deep in water most of the session. If you’re goal-oriented and want to be competitive at triathlons and open-water swim events, choose the most advanced wetsuit that fits your budget. Swim England members can exclusively save 25 per cent on all TYR products on the TYR online store. There you'll find a wetsuit … Do you need a full wetsuit, a short ‘spring suit’, or just a wetsuit top? So how to choose? They’re doing some really cool stuff on the environmental front. However Huub, who are generally considered by the top professional athletes to be the best, have brought out the Albacore wetsuit for men and the Acara wetsuit for women. My two biggest problems are convincing guys not to buy a wetsuit two sizes too big and that people tend to have misconceptions about what to expect from any given price point of wetsuit (I too am a strong proponent of Xcel’s Drylock wetsuit) Good rubber in a good fit at a good price is about all I care about. Try on before you buy! There are other interesting options in this segment however. The seams are stitched on the inside. Check Price. Different swimmers will have their own preference when it comes to things like the degree of buoyancy, for example. Having it too loose will leave you with uncomfortable neoprene folds or large pockets of air in the suit. However, like you noted it’s falling apart after 18 months. So before you dive in and invest in the shiniest, brightest or most expensive, take a look at our tips for how to choose a wetsuit. Wetsuits are designed for various types of water activities and the one that you buy will massively depend on what sport you wish to use it for and how often you think that you will wear it. It is commonly used on sweatshirt and T-shirt seams. They key contact points are around the wrists, neck and ankles. Your email address will not be published. list-style: none
Over the past few years they have led the way in very stretchy, comfortable suits that might suit the big shouldered well. These, more delicate, suites come in summer shorty suits, shoulder season farmer john suits, and full on winter swimming wetsuits for those of us in Texas. Great article. The theory is the high quality neoprene is less water permeable than what, say, Xcel uses, so you don’t need the fuzzy—and heavy—liners. If you have friends of a similar shape and size who own a wetsuit, perhaps ask them nicely if you can try theirs. Familiarizing yourself with the different types of seam construction is an important part of learning how to buy a wetsuit. We’re in the same ballpark size wise, I’m 6’1″ x 165 and unless it’s brutally cold, the 4/3 is fine for me, and the 5/4 would be way, way too warm starting around this time of year. In general you want the wetsuit to be tight, tighter than you think it should be. Wearing a wetsuit in a triathlon can significantly aid your swimming. Orca is one of the calm players in the marathon and vast water swimming rigging game, yet they make an extraordinary unit. If I could only post a picture here of all of the wetsuits I own just for open-water swimming you’d laugh. Thx Justin. Notify me of followup comments via email. As your arm pushes through the water you don’t want cold water shooting up the arm. Some … This can include a variety of liners attached to the inside of the neoprene meant to either generate excess body heat or more effectively trap it. content: counter(mycounter) ". " Lots of water moving in and out of your wetsuit is called flushing, and a little is called seepage. Orca’s Equip wetsuits are targeted at people with a strong swimming background and good technique, making these a good choice if you’re an experienced pool swimmer moving to open water for the first time. The thicker the wetsuit, the more insulation it provides. Higher quality neoprene tends to be less instantly stretchy, but, at least with Feral, because the suit is much simpler, it’s much lighter, and gradually becomes stretchier and fits better, something like breaking in a baseball glove. Some shops offer sessions where you can try on a range of wetsuits at a local pool and work out which one suits you best. By far the best women’s wetties available.
Find out how to take advantage of the TYR discount on the Swim England Membership site. $49.00 $ 49. .post-detail ol {
Our team are happy to give you sizing advice by email, just get in touch. They should be avoided and prevented, and that's accomplished first and best … Which feral suit do you recommend? However, there are many other reasons than fitness to swim outside in winter. I actually work in a store selling wetsuits of almost all varieties. First off, you’ll see a thickness at the beginning of a product (i.e. Something that’s always been attractive to me. Either will keep you just as warm, for the most part. Even the finest wetsuits don’t last more than a couple years at best, so there’s no reason to buy a fancy, expensive suit until you know what you actually need. Fancy seam-taping that promises to keep water out and heat in, while allowing for supreme stretch. Are you new to surfing and aren’t totally sure how often you’ll be getting in the water? Method 2 of 3: Selecting the Right Thickness. 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,773. Check out Finisterre from the UK. 1 – If in doubt, our lovely team at Wetsuit Centre are always on hand to help and guide you! Even the best-fitting suits rub most people on the back of the neck. How cold it’ll be can determine whether you should have a full-sleeve or a sleeveless or a full-length or knee-length or shorter suit. }
Lots of the biggest, most widely available brands, therefore, aren’t offering anything you can’t get from their competitors, they just put their own spin on it with slightly different designs. You’ll be buying a new one in a couple winters anyway. Xterra makes some great suits for open water swimming at a very reasonable price…. With such a wetsuit, I was warm in a thinner suit. The outcome is only 0.5mm of thickness, giving greatest … Once inside your wetsuit, try practicing some arm strokes and stretching to the ceiling. The different types are: 1. Because of the great rubber, the suits don’t need the heat-retaining liners of their more expensive brethren. The key is not to get … The suit is designed to maintain your natural body position while the 1.5mm neoprene on the arms causes minimal interference to your normal swimming stroke. Some surfers require extra-thick suits to remain as warm and cozy as possible to perform at a decently high level; others prefer a thinner, more flexible suit and don’t mind a slight chill. .post-detail ol li::before {
To do this head down to your local Nook's Cranny and look inside the cabinet. If you wear a suit only occasionally, you’re more likely to let it dry improperly, trapping water and salt in the seams and leaving it there for weeks on end where it will erode the neoprene. Here are three hypothetical customers of different experience levels and willingness to throw cash around, with a wetsuit suggestion for each. If you only need a little bit of extra warmth in-between seasons and on those cooler days, try a wetsuit top. 3/2mm or 5/4/3mm). There will be different grades of rubber (which will also effect the price) but the less material the better. Those other rubbers like the Matuse geoprene, etc fit differently as well. Not sure if that makes sense but I feel it’s more about water than ☀️, Your email address will not be published. Now, you have me curious about the Feral suit. As you start to swim, just dunk your face every few strokes in a breaststroke. Buy a cheap plastic box to transport the wet suit in for the back of the car. More advanced suits often have tailoring details to improve efficiency and promote good stroke mechanics. When it comes to wetsuits, Blueseventy is one of the go-to brands among swimmers and triathletes. I’m 5-11 and 160. Then, next level down in terms of availability, but often a grade or two higher in terms of quality, there are brands like Isurus, Feral, Matuse and a whole host of boutique wetsuit companies popping up to fill in the cracks left vacant by the big boys. If you’re new to open water swimming or triathlons, chances are you will be faced with the question of how to choose a wetsuit. Before you can go swimming in New Horizons, you need to buy a wetsuit. I learned pretty quickly that I didn’t actually need all the complicated additions to the modern high-end wetsuit. You can also save £8 per order with free delivery. It can be fun (yes, really), you may get to see spectacular sunrises, it’s a mental and physical challenge, it’s a self-confidence … I might start referring surfers to this article! Curious how the shoulders are on the Feral suits…. For general purpose water play, consider an entry-level wetsuit made of Standard Neoprene -or- 30% Stretch Neoprene. But before we go any further, a little secret: The vast majority of wetsuits are all made by the same Thailand-based company called Sheico. How to choose the best neoprene diving suit? 1) Ask around and do your research on the fit of the particular brand you are interested in – ask friends and other swimmers at events, your swim coach or an experienced retailer who knows what they are talking about (they will have fitted wetsuits to hundreds of different swimmers, of all shapes and sizes and should know their wetsuit sizes inside out). I prefer suits with hoods attached for the really cold days. Do they offer hooded long sleeve suits? 6/5, no question. We stock a superb range of swimming wetsuits for open water swimming and cater for all abilities from complete beginner to the more serious competitor, whether it's for a first time Tri experience or the avid Triathlon or Biathlon competitor or SwimRun. I’ve worn wetsuits from every possible manufacturer in 25 years of surfing, and Xcels have always been the warmest, most performance-oriented, and the longest-lasting of the mainstream brands. Which sounds silly, but I notice that when I don’t wear it and I’m duck diving that I get more water in my eyes…. Hence, a 3/2mm wetsuit … Get a 2mm vest you can put under it for cold days to keep your core warm but keep that great flexibility that makes a 3/2 shine! .post-detail ol:first-of-type {
The right wetsuit for your needs. Swim England membership allows you to benefit from TYR kit discounts. Their wetsuits and swimming gear are of the highest grade, so you can always be sure that you’ll get great value for money. I just bought another Xcel Drylock. 2 – do you find the lack of a visor flap on the feral hood ok? The Xcel Drylock series is probably the top of the heap. Material on the outside of a wetsuit is heavy and will soak up water over time. But it's not one size fits all. The suits typically aren’t as flexible as competitors and can be a little more fragile, but the materials as you’d expect from Patagonia feel terrific against the skin, and if eco-friendliness is a significant concern, they’re basically the only game in town. The key here is to try before you buy. The Feral will initially feel less stretchy than the Techno Butter, and the Medium would prob feel too tight. Once you are home, keeping the suit inside out, rinse it in fresh water (in the shower). I have taken it up with billabong and no feed back and a no care attitude. Sounds nice but I don’t see any warm ones. Justin, are the Feral suits any warmer or colder than the Xcels or big brand suits? After five minutes you’ll be able to keep your face in and switch to a crawl if you want to. It is always best to compare the measurements available on a brand’s size guide when buying online. Get your head under straight away (fill that wetsuit), and float for a minute until you get used to the sensation. SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE OUTDOOR SWIMMING NEWSLETTER. How to Buy a Wetsuit Method 1 of 3: Picking a Style. Division by material: Single Lined – neoprene foam, lined with nylon inside. I’d go with a MT 4/3 hooded Feral, personally. Before you determine which wetsuit you need, it is useful to understand how a wetsuit actually works. As its name suggests, a wetsuit is supposed to be very tight – offering a thin layer of second skin between your body and the water. I also have a 5/4 but so rarely wear it. A 4/3 mm suit (this typically means the body is 4mm thick while the arms and legs are 3mm) will work just fine for the cold months for everywhere south of Humboldt all the way down to Baja. Swimming in open water can be challenging enough. Daunting even. Look for a 30-60-or 100% … If you’ve been surfing for a few years, you know what you like, and are ready to splurge a little bit, there are plenty of options for you to get a little spend-crazy. Well, in that case, you’ve come to the right place because in today’s article we’ll be taking a look at the 13 best wetsuits for open water swimming. Included in this years review are a range of suits from sleeveless speedsters perfect for racing to specialist colder water wetsuits and all-rounder suits. And at less than $200, they’re a huge bargain. Plus, every surfer is different. I live in San Francisco and wear a hooded 4/3 Feral all winter and spring. Then, there are SCUBA or snorkeling wetsuits. As our open water blogger Val says, if you’re buying a wetsuit, it’s a good idea to find somewhere which offers a ‘try before you buy’ option. Wetsuit thickness is described in millimeters (mm) and the number is the thickness of the wetsuit material called neoprene. All of the above assumes a wetsuit for surfing. The Huub team have also made developments to help reduce the amount of knee … How to Buy a Recreational Swimming Wetsuit. Best Seller in Full Wetsuits +4 colors/patterns Hevto Wetsuits Men and Women Guardian 3mm Neoprene Full Scuba Diving Suits Surfing Swimming Long Sleeve Keep Warm Back Zip for Water Sports . We’d also recommend this suit to female swimmers … You should be able to move your arms without lots of pressure on your shoulders. have been wearing Feral wetsuits ever since. Suggestion: Xcel Drylock, Hooded 4/3 mm, $440 The Alpha wetsuit exploits a custom neoprene (called 0.88 Free) grew only with Yamamoto for this specific wet-suit. Finally, for the long-time hardcore surfer who’s grown bored of the same old same old from wetsuit makers—it’s time to try out the little guys. This is actually the easiest part. I think the hood looks goofy without the visor, but you soon learn the visor on most suits doesn’t actually block sun–it’s too short.
Check the average water temperatures for where you plan on … Patagonia, for example, is now making its suits neoprene-free, from a rubber source derived from sustainably harvested plants. Even if you’re simply hiring a wetsuit at a competition, making the wrong choice can result in valuable seconds – or minutes – lost. These swimming wetsuits are specifically designed for swimming … Once the suit is removed you will have an inside out suit. Like with bikes, etc., this can mean a much better suit for the same price as the big boys. Tapered legs down to the ankles ensure more streamlined kick and help with getting the suit on and off. Then there are the next tier of brands like Xcel, Patagonia, Vissla, which … You can also subscribe without commenting. Quick-drying fibers that mean second sessions don’t have to take place in a sopping wet suit. If you’re not well-versed in the wetsuit game, buying a new one can be incredibly intimidating. However as the thickness increases, the heavier and more restrictive the wetsuit becomes. Most of these factors are personal … I purchased a Billabong wetsuit 6 months ago and found the flaps on the rear fold /roll up and with having big shoulder it is in possible to pull the rear flaps up. }, The fourth thing to consider when you’re picking your suit is the material used, which is usually reflected in the price. Time and time again, we’ve seen people having a hard time getti… This is an easy one: go cheap. Wetsuits designed for open water swimming are vastly different from traditional surfing or diving wetsuits. Each of the big three wetsuit brands (Rip Curl, Quiksilver, O’Neill) make about a dozen different suits, based on warmth, stretch, and fancy rubber-lining gizmos and gimmicks that mostly just drive up the price. I mean I would like to know what the best open water wetsuits are. Great. As our open water blogger Val says, if you’re buying a wetsuit, it’s a good idea to find somewhere which offers a ‘try before you buy’ option. Daan – have you tried O’Neill suits lately? Follow these steps with your wetsuit after your swim. How else do you know if a wetsuit is the right fit? A wetsuit for swimming has different design features than one intended for SCUBA diving. My experience is the big brands focus on stretch to the detriment of quality. Once you bump up to the $400-500 range of wetsuit, you’re awash in features. In fact, this is the best swimming wetsuit for cold water … The wrists of the suit should conform well to your body. I have been surfing for 44 years and will not recommend billabong of one’s choice. GBS with seam tape Overlock is recommended for warm water 65 degrees F and up. My O’Neills have always sagged like an old sweater and broke down fast. Because they are designed to be figure-hugging, it will feel tight at first but will loosen up considerably once you’re in the water. Again, if too loose, the water will shoot down your suit and the wetsuit will not work correctly. Made with very high-quality Yamamoto neoprene, the difference between a suit like a Feral and the above Xcel is night and day. If you’re not well-versed in the wetsuit game, buying a new one can be incredibly intimidating. The smaller companies, like Feral, which uses high-quality Yamamoto neoprene that Sheico doesn’t provide, actually can offer something different. Transport the suit this way as the material inside is tougher than the rubber outside. Hope you find some waves this week. Or a lot crazy. Each of the big three wetsuit brands (Rip Curl, Quiksilver, O’Neill) make about a dozen different suits, based on warmth, stretch, and fancy rubber-lining gizmos and gimmicks that mostly just drive up the price. In terms of performance, you should look for a suit with as much rubber versus material (neoprene) as possible. Backzip wetsuits are much easier to put on and take off, chestzip suits offer more flexibility across the back and shoulders. In some cases all of these are sold at the same online retailer and one must be able to decipher the sport and the season. I’ve turned some of my Morro Bay buddies onto them, and they haven’t looked back. And then, how about thickness? And when you’re spending hundreds of pounds on something that can affect your swimming so much, it’s important to get this choice right. Each wetsuit maker will have their own peculiar design features, but for the most part, the same factory has likely pumped out any wetsuit you’ve ever worn. I surf one to 3x per week and love a 5/4 hooded here in SF area. Take it from me, a guy who’s spent upwards of … [checks old receipts] … wow, probably $5,000 on wetsuits over the years, the Drylock is the grandaddy of high-end, surfing through the coldpocalypse while still shredding, performance. You won’t know which type you are until you spend a lot of time in the water. A basic, backzip wetsuit (higher-end suits will almost always have the zipper across the chest for added back flexibility) with glued and sealed seams, Rip Curl’s budget offering is perfectly fine for a season or two of getting your feet wet. A basic recreational swimming wetsuit will help keep the chill off in the ocean or for when you’re playing around in the pool. The superior neoprene quality leaps out at you instantly. ORCA 1.5 Alpha Mens Triathlon Wetsuit. The conditions of your swim will play a factor in which wetsuit you should choose. Some suits are designed for open water swimming, while others are more triathlon-specific. Daunting even. A full range of BlueSeventy Wetsuits and the Orca Open Water Core wetsuit are back in stock in men’s and women’s sizes.. 4 ways to buy the right wetsuit for you. A full wetsuit, possibly with rash vest underneath, a neoprene hat and possibly gloves and booties might enable you to swim for longer, and possibly retain your swimming fitness, if you think it’s worth the effort. GBS (Glued & Blindstitched) 4. The Blueseventy Thermal Reaction wetsuit is designed for optimized swimming performance in cold water temperatures. A 4/3 in California isn’t entirely accurate. And, when to buy for the best prices. While it’s preferable to try on a wetsuit before you buy, Covid restrictions mean that is not possible right now and may not be for the foreseeable future. I still have my first Feral, it’s more than 5 years old, and the tape isn’t even peeling off. Both are bad for the quality of your dive and neither sound remotely sexy. Then there are the next tier of brands like Xcel, Patagonia, Vissla, which make good suits with slightly smaller market share but command fierce brand loyalty. Suggestion: Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 4/3 mm, $175 From the outside, you will not see any stitching. }
Trying a wetsuit on is kind of a pain in the butt, but any experienced surfer working at a surf shop can tell you instantly what size you should be from taking one glance your way. Unless you’re accustomed to cold-water swimming, I’d recommend starting with a wetsuit. Swimming. Neoprene stretches and if you start too big, the wetsuit … Try to avoid diving in the same swimming suit and always wear a wetsuit. Oh and I always found the visor to be useful for keeping water out of my eyes. There are many types of overalls. As pointed out in the article, highest quality neoprene, custom fit, and an attached hood. It should go without saying that your wetsuit needs to be comfortable. I shy away from them because, well, as I say in the article, I prefer the superior rubber in Feral suits and the like, but O’Neills tend to be easiest to stretch onto awkward body parts. The neck of the suit should conform to the neck and be as tight as possible without feeling like you are being throttled! We’ve put together a wetsuit guide in order to make wetsuit buying a little less overwhelming! Suggestion: Feral, 4/3 mm, $395 Plenty of decent suits can be had for around $200-300. Best Wetsuits For Swimming. The best wetsuit for you depends on what you want to use the suit for and your budget. A suit should not have any baggy sections at all when you’re wearing it, but it should be comfortable too. Choose a bodysuit if you want the most warmth and protection. ). I would know what the best open water wetsuits are. Different divisions are used, for example, due to operation, material or construction. If it fits close to the body and you can comfortably bend forward to touch your toes, or reach both hands above your head without resistance, it fits. It feels much less claustrophobic, which I suspect is why they don’t use them on their suit. Chafing can be minimized by using TRISLIDE or a similar product that is wetsuit safe. If you’re on the East Coast and surfing north of the Carolinas, a 5/4 mm or even maybe a 6/5 mm will be necessary for the brutal days of winter. A loose-fitting wetsuit will allow too much water to flow in and out, causing you to quickly lose heat (heat loss by convection). The Feral is lighter, simpler, fits better, and is far more durable. The 2017 Huub wetsuits have been designed with increased flexibility around the biceps and triceps to give swimmers more control in the water. Even more daunting is trying to decide on “the” suit for open-water swimming (and triathlons too I suppose). Overlock Stitch 2. For many triathletes or novice swimmers, wetsuits give you more confidence, a smoother profile in the water, and better control. For the most part, most wetsuits in this price range, especially the ones made by reputable companies, will work very well. Head into a store and try on a whole heap of different wetsuits with a knowledgeable staff member who can help you choose the right wetsuit for your body shape and swimming needs (within a budget of course! That makes it hard to stay comfortably warm on a dive of any duration. If you are swimming laps occasionally, a stretchier suit will be less restricting. I have been wearing o’neill psycho freaks for a decade now but tried Matuse stuff and it just doesn’t fit as well at the end of the day (for me) nor does it feel as plush and stretchy as the o’neill. Swimming in open water can be challenging enough as it without a poorly-fitted wetsuit literally dragging you back. 00. The Feral suits don’t have ANY linings at all – it’s just the neoprene and the thin jersey. I live on the central coast of CA. Maybe that matters to you and maybe it doesn’t. Swimming in your local pool and wild swimming in open, inland waters as well as around coastal waters can be a chilly business.
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