Deciding on a wetsuit for surfing can be tough, there are so many things that you need to be aware of before you can make a purchase. Otherwise, you might regret it later. Not to mention, there are various options that you can go for depending on what you need.

For some people, buying a wetsuit is an investment and will enable you to surf all year round and as much as you want without any hassle. Therefore, knowing how to choose a wetsuit is essential. That being said, choosing the best winter wetsuits for surfing shouldn’t be that painful. So here are some tips that you should know.

Do you need a new wetsuit?

This should be the first question that you ask yourself – do you really need a new wetsuit? Are you really an enthusiastic surfer who lives in the sea and spends many hours surfing? Do you surf no matter the season? Or do you only surf a couple of times a year? By answering all these additional questions, you can determine what kind of wetsuit you need: entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. In other words, always buy a wetsuit according to your needs.

Consider the season

The season should be among the first things that you need to consider when choosing your wetsuit. There is a big difference between summer and winter wetsuits. I am talking about the thickness of the neoprene and the style, of course.

If you are planning to surf in Northern Europe, where the ocean is relatively cold for the majority of the time, buying a winter wetsuit could be the best investment you can make. In contrast, if you are planning to surf somewhere tropical with warm water temperatures, then a summer wetsuit could be better and a lot cheaper.

Only buy a wetsuit that you can afford

While it’s true that the higher the price, the better and more features the wetsuit you get. But there is really no need to buy an overpriced wetsuit. Nowadays, you can get an entry-level wetsuit for affordable prices. And it’s already with plenty of features and good construction quality that will serve many surfers who don’t go in the sea that often.

Mid-range wetsuits are usually priced, well, somewhere in the middle, and come with a great range of features for the money that you spend. These mid-range wetsuits are probably the most popular ones today. They are like a safe alternative if you are not sure which wetsuit to buy.

As for the high-end wetsuits, if you can afford one, then get one. While they could be pricey, these wetsuits are worth the money. The neoprene quality, overall fit, and seam welding techniques, everything will give you the extra edge to enhance your time in the sea.

Thickness

Thick wetsuits are warmer than thinner ones. A winter wetsuit usually has about 5, 4, 3 mm, which means the body is 5 mm thick, the legs 4 mm, and the arms 3 mm. There are some variations too depending on the design. But nowadays, many new wetsuits are flexible regardless of the thickness of the neoprene fabric.

The general rules are simple: 3, 2 mm is great for summer, and 4, 3 mm is great from Spring to Autumn, 5, 3 mm is essential for winter. But these rules can be adjusted depending on what you need. So if you still feel the cold, then simply get a thicker wetsuit.

Seams

Many people think taped or glued seams are a lot more comfortable to wear. But the thing is, it will minimize the water entry into your wetsuit. Glued seams are the most common form of seam construction on the market. This kind of seam involves gluing the wetsuit panels before stitching them together to increase strength and reduce the water entry.

Spot taped seams are small 2p size pieces of tape that are glued together in some critical areas. This is done to improve overall strength and durability. A fully taped seam looks cleaner with the tape being glued to the inside of every seam.

Conclusion

There you have it, some important tips to know when choosing a wetsuit. Choosing a wetsuit can be fun and exciting if you know what to look for. Don’t forget that buying a wetsuit is an investment that can enhance your surfing experience.

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Nick Jones

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