Water sports are very famous around the world, but they have a minor problem that happens when the water of the environment around you is too cold to handle with regular clothes. For that reason, wetsuits exist, to maintain your body temperature warm even under hard conditions, and also, they can protect your skin against cuts or injuries that could be caused due to rocks or other elements of the underwater environment.

Everything sounds good, but there is another problem. There are lots of wetsuits with different styles and even thicknesses, and if you're a beginner in this type of stuff, then you need some guidance that will be delivered in the next explanations while using tips or recommendations that were given by professionals in this topic, so stay tuned to learn more.

SELECTING A WETSUIT PART 1: TYPE OF MATERIALS.

In these actual days, wetsuits are made of neoprene, a special type of rubber that is very flexible and stretchy, making it perfect for those who want to be protected without suffering any handicap in their body movements and balance. They come in different thicknesses. The thicker the wetsuit is, the warmer your body will feel under hard conditions.

Tip #1: Always Go for The Material That Suits Your Requirements.

This can be difficult at some times because we always want the best protection that currently exists, right? Well, for most people there is a common problem: the cost of quality and premium materials are too expensive to handle in some occasions depending on the countries. For that reason, you can cheap out a little in some materials by just selecting the material that gives you just what you need. For example, if you want mobility and balance, go for open cell neoprene. If you want to feel extremely safe against different things like rocks or corals, go for  closed neoprene. The main problem is that nylon reduces mobility a little bit, so you have to adapt faster than ever.

Tip #2: Analyze the Type of Activity:

If you're going for an open activity in which you will be practically in the surface, then you should combine the previous tip and take into consideration multiple features like the temperature of the water, the danger of the current activity like surfing when you fall off the board or even kayaking if you flip out of the kayak. On the other hand, when it's a closed type water activity like scuba diving, then go for a wetsuit that can guarantee your protection in any matter. Otherwise, it wouldn't be even worth it.

SELECTING A WETSUIT PART 2: TYPE OF WETSUIT.

Like it has been said before, wetsuits come in different styles that offer different benefits depending on the model and style of the suit, so it's important to know every option before committing any mistake. The common options are full-body suits, one or two pieces, shorty wetsuits and a famous one named farmer John. Let's see the tips to know which one will be the most suitable for your experience.

Tip #1: Consider the Conditions of the Water.

This is very simple to understand. Let's take it to common experiences. Let's just say that you don't want to wear a short and T-shirt in winter days. Otherwise, you will freeze in a couple of minutes. In a water sport scenario, it's the same thing if the water is already warm, you don't need a one piece full-body wetsuit or a two piece suit with a hood, gloves and boots. That would be a waste of money and effort because you won't feel almost any difference in warm waters. However, if you're facing cold waters, then consider full-body suits a must, and if the temperature is too much to handle then two pieces with hood, gloves and boots are recommended.

Tip #2: Remember that Every Activity is Different.

Let's talk about main differences again. The different styles of wetsuits will come with some benefits but also some cons depending on the activity. For example, a full-body will be a wonderful option for scuba diving, but for kayaking or paddling it might be a bad idea due to the lack of mobility. On the other hand, a farmer John suit will be the best option in paddling or other activities where the movement of the arms will be the key of success, but in scuba diving, you will be risking your arms' safety with that suit, so try to focus on your most practiced activities to avoid losing money on wrong suits that could reduce the performance of your body under some circumstances.

SELECTING A WETSUIT PART 3: GUIDE FOR WETSUIT THICKNESS.

In the thickness of the suit, there is the main thing to consider, the water temperature. With that measure, you will be able to determinate the thickness and type of the suit, so let's take a look to the next ways to select your option while looking between a range of water temperature in Fahrenheit to make it easier for everyone. Let's begin.

 Dive Skin Suits

 

 

When it comes to 72 or more Fahrenheit, then you should consider going with the lowest thickness possible since the water will be so warm that it wouldn't make any sense to buy a wetsuit to fight cold waters in this type of environments. When it comes to the suit style, then go with dive skin suits or rashguards. For water temperature of 65°- 75°, consider 0.5mm to 2mm wetsuit tops or shorty wetsuits.

 

 3MM Wetsuits

Now, in 62 to 68 Fahrenheit, consider going to a range of thickness between 2mm to 3mm since the water temperature will be in cold levels, and since in most scenarios, the water environment will be filled with rocks and other things that could harm your body, then go for a full body suit or even a spring one option which comes with long arms and short legs to provide better stability and movement overall. For the environment of 58°- 63°, consider a 3mm-4mm full wetsuit with boots with floatlock stitching.

Finally, in colder temperatures like 43 to 58 Fahrenheit, go for full body two piece hooded wetsuits with boots and gloves. For level below 42°, we have to go with the major equipment, a thickness of 5mm to 7mm with a two piece full body hooded wetsuit that comes with gloves and boots. Then, you would get ready for different aquatic activities without worrying about anything that could go against your body.

If you combine every single of these tips from different categories of the wetsuits, then everything will be fine for you as a future buyer who will want to get the best deal and get what you paid for without receiving any disappointing surprises. Don't be careless when it comes to your health but follow the measures above. Good luck.