Buying a wetsuit in 2021, how to save hundreds of euros per year
Photo by: Jop Hermans
Finding a good wetsuit is important, but how do you find a good one? What is the right fit and what thickness should you choose? How do you know if you are not paying too much for a suit and which suit will last the longest?
A comfortable wetsuit increases your surfing pleasure. With more flexibility and room to move, you can perform optimally during your sessions, in other words, more fun ;). There are a number of things to consider when buying a new wetsuit.
Buying a wetsuit in 2021, how to save hundreds of euros per year
The fit:
The most important thing is of course that your suit fits well. By going to a surfshop and trying on different brands and models, you will find out which wetsuit best suits your body.
Keep in mind that the fit of your wetsuit will shape a little more to your body over time and will move more smoothly.
Your suit could feel a little tight when trying on but that’s not necessarily a problem, but also do not choose a suit that does not move well or feels too tight when you’re trying it on..
When choosing the right fit, pay attention to the following points:
Fit at the neck
Make sure your wetsuit fits tightly around your neck, but not too tight. This way you prevent a feeling of tightness and irritation on the skin. If your wetsuit is not tight around your neck, a little bit of water can still enter, which warms up in your wetsuit and keeps you warm during your surf sessions.
Fit to your body
The only way to find out which wetsuit best suits your body is to try and fit a lot of wetsuits. Perhaps not the most fun activity, but it is important in finding the right size.
Your wetsuit must fit well on most parts of your body. This way you prevent too much water from collecting in your suit, causing you to get cold faster.
Can you easily grab large amounts of fabric on, for example, the lower back or the shoulders? Then your suit is probably too big.
If your arms / legs are too short and you have difficulty moving when you have the wetsuit on completely? Then your suit is probably too small.
Flexibility
Can you move easily in the suit? Room to move is important, as paddling and pop-ups will feel more heavyif the suit is too small or not flexible enough. Keep in mind that if you need a thicker suit for cold water conditions, it will move less flexible anyway.
Measure
Perhaps obvious, but make sure you always choose the right size. If you buy your wetsuit too big or too small it will chafe and hold you back in your surfing. Too small a suit can also put too much tension on the seams, which increases the chance of holes.
Zipper
Back zip (zipper on the back)
A wetsuit with a back zip can often be easier for novice surfers to put on and take off. The disadvantage of a back zip is that the wetsuit can sometimes feel a bit stiff due to the long zipper on the back. More water can also enter your wetsuit through the zipper which makes you cool down faster when the water is cold. A back zip is often cheaper than wetsuits with other types of zippers.
If you are a beginner surfer, you want to be able to easily put on and take off your wetsuit and surf in mild weather conditions, a back zip is the best option in that case.
Chest zip
A chest zip is often more flexible and smaller than a back zip, making it easier to keep heat in and less likely to let water in. However, you should carefully put on a wetsuit with a chest zip because it’s a bit harder to put on which could result in faster holes and loose seams. Tip: Turn the top part of the wetsuit inside out so that you can step into your wetsuit more easily.
If you want to get more comfort, warmth and flexibility from your wetsuit, choose a chest zip.
Front zip
A front zip is especially common with springsuits. Springsuits are suitable for warm water temperatures above 20 degrees. Front zips are especially common in women's suits. This zipper runs from the neck to your navel, and makes it easy to put on and take off your springsuit.
Zipperless
Wetsuits without a zipper have become increasingly popular in recent years and are said to allow much less water to enter your suit, allowing you to last longer in cold water temperatures. Unfortunately, my personal experience with no zips is the opposite. In the long run, more water often gets in because the elastic that is in place of the zipper wears out over time. A zipperless wetsuit is also more flexible and extra comfortable while surfing. Zipperless wetsuits are often made of high quality neoprene and can therefore have a relatively high price.
Thickness of your wetsuit
For different temperatures in the water there are different wetsuit thicknesses, expressed in millimeters (MM). The thickness of your wetsuit depends on where and what season you are going to surf and the corresponding water and outside temperature.
The thickness of your wetsuit is indicated in millimeters. So for example a 3/2 wetsuit is made of 3mm and 2mm thick neoprene.
For parts of the body that need more heat (such as your upper body where your vital organs are), thicker neoprene is used. The thinner neoprene is used for body parts while surfing, such as the arms and legs. By having different thicknesses of neoprene in your suit, you get the nice combination of both flexibility and warmth.
You can often look up the water temperature of your surf spot online via websites such as Magicseaweed. With the table above you can then choose the correct wetsuit thickness.
Price
"The more expensive a wetsuit, the better the quality." In most cases this is true, but this does not necessarily mean that you have to pay the top price for good wetsuits. Tactical shopping can save you hundreds of euros when buying wetsuits.
Nowadays, wetsuits from the premium brands are very similar and are almost indistinguishable from each other (outside of the way they fit). However, an awful lot of new B-brands have entered the market with advantages and disadvantages.
Of course there are always innovations and new models continue to appear on the market, but the features that these suits have (such as no-zip, fast dry material, optimal flex, heat panels and the like) are not necessary for a good wetsuit. Certainly not if you have just started surfing.
The price of wetsuits can vary between 70 and 800 euros, but for a good quality wetsuit without the latest gadgets, you normally pay between 200 and 300 euros. Especially if you shop tactically.
"The best tip I can give is to buy a winter wetsuit in the spring sales (sale of the winter collection) and buy a summer wetsuit in the fall (sale of the summer collection)."
Look for reliable brands, do research and see if there is a warranty for if the wetsuit breaks. A wetsuit is simply an expense. If you handle it carefully, that expense will pay for itself.
How will your wetsuit last the longest?
The lifespan of your wetsuit depends on the quality of the wetsuit, but if you handle it properly you can extend its lifespan. The better you maintain your wetsuit, the longer it will last. Here are a few tips to enjoy your wetsuit for as long as possible:
Gently put on and take off your wetsuit, without putting your nails in the neoprene or pulling unnecessarily hard. This way you prevent seams from becoming loose and you get holes. You also ensure that the material does not stretch as quickly, so that the fit remains well around your body.
After a session, rinse your wetsuit well with cold water on the inside and outside. If you don't rinse out salt water, it will damage the neoprene, causing your wetsuit to lose flexibility and drying out the material.
Dry your suit inside out so that the outside remains flexible and the inside dries first. This way your suit will feel dry when you go for a second session.
Hang your wetsuit double by a clothes hanger. Not on the shoulders! This will prevent the material from stretching around your shoulders and causing holes.
Do not leave your wetsuit in the sun for too long when you let it dry - UV radiation will discolour your wetsuit and lose flexibility. UV radiation also dries out the material, causing cracks more quickly.
Rinse your wetsuit once in a while with wetsuit shampoo or green soap.
Fix minor damages before they can get bigger. At surf shops you can often buy a repair kit with which you can glue up starting holes.
Any further questions about wetsuits or surfing?
Ask your question in the International Facebook group for surfers: “Tips for surfers, from surfers”. In this friendly community, surfers help each other to improve in the sport that connects them. Everyone is welcome and there are no stupid questions. Only stupid answers. ;)
