Wetsuit recommendations

The_Arbiter

The_Arbiter

The_Arbiter

Soldato
Joined
2 Jul 2019
Posts
2,698
Apparently I need to pick up a wet suit as it's cold in the sea, who would've thought? I'll probably use it again as I've been doing some swimming etc. So what kinda price, brand, weight, etc am I looking at? Warmer the better ideally as I have no body fat and was freezing in the one I borrowed the other week.

On this topic too, probably pick up a changing robe too.

Thanks
 
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Is it only just for swimming? They are quite different in make up to a scuba suit given they need to have more flexibility in them around the legs and shoulders. A wet (or semi dry) scuba suit will be too thick to swim in and a swimming wetsuit too thin for diving in the UK. Different things really. Start by looking at triathlon supply shops.
 
Vandle said:
Is it only just for swimming? They are quite different in make up to a scuba suit given they need to have more flexibility in them around the legs and shoulders. A wet (or semi dry) scuba suit will be too thick to swim in and a swimming wetsuit too thin for diving in the UK. Different things really. Start by looking at triathlon supply shops.
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Ah okay. Thanks for that. Yeah it'll just be purely swimming.
 
Yeah you’ll want an open water suit. I used to get my tri supplies from Wiggle but that’s long closed now. Try Decathlon, they’ll probably be at the starter end of the price point. You may have to trial and error a few until you find your perfect fit.
 
depending on whether the one you borrowed just didn't fit well as to why you were, then it will depend how thick that is as your starting point. Will you only swim in summer? You will get used to the cold relatively quickly if you swim a lot though tbh. At this time of year I'm in jammers to swim in the north sea. I'd use a 5mm one early in season, but I like the cold and I've got too good a level of humaprene™ naturally to help. The sizing is hugely variable in my experience, but if you are skinny then you're probably more in luck. they don't make much for short stocky fellers sadly
 
I still haven't made a purchase, new purchases in an unknown world is always a rabbit hole for me. Been looking at shorties, and plain neoprene shirts also. Osprey looks to be a super cheap budget brand for anyone wanting a minimal use suit for ~£40/60.
 
I have a Zone 3 Advance which is a great wetsuit, triathlon gear though so its more for swimming, is that what you're going to be using it for?

Provides nice buoyancy with minimal restriction, you can find with cheaper suits that the material can impact your stroke.
 
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Defy Belief said:
I have a Zone 3 Advance which is a great wetsuit, triathlon gear though so its more for swimming, is that what you're going to be using it for?

Provides nice buoyancy with minimal restriction, you can find with cheaper suits that the material can impact your stroke.
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My Dad gave me an old diving one luckily. Nice and warm, 4/5mm. Scubapro or something I think it was called.
 
I'm in the market for one of these after being to the beach a few times over the summer. It would be nice to extend the time that I can go swimming without hyperthermia for anothe rmonth or two.

I'll check out those Osprey ones I think, as the Zone 3 Advance look a little expensive for me considering I'll only use it once a week at most, plus it's not serious swimming, but rather just a flop about for half an hour.
 
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