Getting the right size wetsuit is crucial. It should fit like a second layer of skin – tight but not too restrictive. Check out our guide right here.
Whether you’re enjoying a break in the UK or somewhere a little further afield, keeping warm in the water is essential. Your body loses heat around 20 times faster when submerged in water, so a good wetsuit is a must for any water sports activity, whether on or in the water.
Wetsuits reduce heat loss by covering your skin with a layer of insulating foam neoprene. It forms a seal to cover the body and prevent water from getting in, with many wearing a rash vest underneath to make the suit more comfortable and reduce any rubbing while providing an extra layer of warmth.
Getting the right size wetsuit is key to ensuring you stay warm and comfortable in the water, so take a look at our wetsuit size guide to see which size is right for you.
Wetsuits come in a variety of quality and thicknesses. Which one you need will depend on your activity and how the temperature of the water. Neoprene is manufactured to provide optimum warmth, while still allowing you to move around freely.
There are three main types of wetsuits, each providing its own set of unique benefits:
Shorty half-length wetsuit
This style of wetsuit is commonly used in the summer. It only covers the torso, upper arms and thighs, allowing for unrestricted movement of the limbs, making it ideal for swimming and paddling. These suits are easier to put on compared to full suits, and they can be used for many different types of water sports. Shorty wetsuits are best used in temperatures of around 20°C. They’re lightweight and easy to pack into your suitcase and are the go-to wetsuit for a holiday getaway. Geat for kids playing on the beach, shorty half-length wetsuits offer UV protection of 50+.
Full-length summer wetsuit
These wetsuits usually have a thickness of around 3/2mm, with the 3 referring to the thickness around the torso (where warmth is most vital). The 2 refers to the thickness around the arms and legs, usually offering lower thickness to provide flexibility for swimming and paddling. A full-length wetsuit is suitable for temperatures of around 18°C and is popular among surfers due to the additional protection for knees against surfboards and rock collisions.
Full-length winter wetsuit
This type of wetsuit will normally have a thickness of 5/mm and above (with mm for the torso and mm for the arms and legs). The seams are an important factor in a winter suit. Most are fitted with blind seams where the neoprene is glued together at the edge of the panels, along with a stitch that doesn’t go all the way through the neoprene. This creates a watertight and flexible seam to keep the cold out. A full-length winter wetsuit can be worn in temperatures of around 12°C. In colder temperatures, wearing booties, a hood and gloves will provide extra protection and warmth needed to adapt.
Long john wetsuits (sleeveless with full-length legs), hooded wetsuits, sleeveless/long-sleeved shorties and wetsuit jackets are also available, depending on your activity and the temperature of the water.
The thickness of a wetsuit determines its thermal properties and flexibility. The thicker the neoprene, the warmer and less flexible the wetsuit is. So when you buy a wetsuit, make sure you have the right balance of thickness and flexibility. Choosing a warm enough wetsuit is crucial, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all when it comes to the variety of conditions you could be swimming or surfing in.
The shorty you bought for your holiday in Australia will not keep you warm enough in Cornish waters. Not only will the cold put you at greater risk of injury, as muscles, ligaments, and tendons are more prone to damage when they’re cold, but such temperatures can also endanger your life.
The wetsuit thickness is always given in millimetres, with the specification usually made up of two numbers. For example, a wetsuit with a thickness of 5/3mm means that the neoprene has a thickness of 5mm around the torso and 3mm around the arms and legs. Most wetsuits have a difference of 1-2mm because it's important to have greater protection on the body to keep your vital organs warm. Whereas your arms and legs need flexibility to be able to move efficiently.
Occasionally you will see three numbers, for example, 5/4/3, with the middle number referring to the thickness of the legs and thighs for a bit of extra warmth. Take a look at our wetsuit thickness guide to see what thickness is required for what temperature.
Getting your wetsuit size right is very important. It should feel snug without being too restrictive, and there shouldn’t be any gaps between your skin and the wetsuit. It should also fit high on the neck to create a seal to stop water from getting in.
With a winter wetsuit, the length is also key as you’ll likely be wearing gloves and boots, so the wetsuit needs to flush to your wrists and ankles to stop water from getting in. Some brands have created medium-tall (MT) and large-short (LS) sizes, making it much easier to find a wetsuit that fits well. Different manufacturers, however, will have different cuts and shapes, so it’s crucial you try the wetsuit on before you buy. Here are some tips on choosing the right size wetsuit to keep you warm and protected in the water.
When shopping for a wetsuit for a man, the most important measurements to take note of are the waist and chest. Men might find that a wetsuit feels too tight, particularly on the arms and legs, but this is totally normal as the suit will stretch a little after a couple of wears. The wetsuit needs to be flush to the lumbar region (lower back), so your kidneys are kept warm. So if the body fit is great and you have some material under your arms, then you’re all set!
When choosing a wetsuit for a woman, you can generally go by your UK dress size. The only time this isn't the case is if you’re different sizes for top wear and bottom wear or above or below average height. For different top and bottom sizes, we recommend opting for a larger alternative of up to two sizes. Women’s wetsuits can sometimes feel slightly constricted around the neck, but this will feel more comfortable once you’re in the water.
It might be tempting to go up a size or two when buying your child a wetsuit with the hope they’ll get more wear out of it, but buying a wetsuit that’s too big will only mean that the insulation won’t work properly. A little extra length for arms or legs could be fine, but it’s important to make sure that the torso is a tight fit.
The waist and chest measurements are the most important factors in kids' wetsuit sizing. If your child is particularly tall, you can go a size up if there isn’t a huge gap around the chest and lower back.
Make sure you try a few different brands and sizes of wetsuits to get the perfect fit. And if you’re still unsure what style, thickness or size you need for you or your child, don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff in-store.
If you’ve ever tried putting on a wetsuit, you’ll know it can get tricky. Because a good wetsuit needs to fit like a second layer of skin—following the contours of your body—this can make it quite difficult to slide on. Many often manage to get their suits on but are not fitted properly around the vital areas. This throws off the fit for the rest of the body, making it uncomfortable and easier for water to enter. Fortunately, there is an easy way to make sure your suit fits properly. Follow the three simple steps below, pull the zip up, secure any Velcro fastenings, and you’re ready to go!
1
Once you’ve got the wetsuit over your ankles, pull the legs up to the thighs and remove any folds by pulling on the shins until the ankles are in the correct position.
2
Pull on the knees to move the shin area into place and pull on the thighs to get the kneepads in position. As you pull it up over your thighs, make sure it’s pulled up snugly into the crotch, as otherwise, the suit will feel too tight in the shoulders and chest area.
3
As you pull the sleeves on, do the same as you did with the legs – pull them up once over the wrists and again over your lower arms. Once on, make sure the armpit area is pulled up snugly, so your chest area doesn’t feel too constricted.
So now you have the perfect fitting wetsuit, it’s important to look after it to ensure it lasts you over the long haul. Here are some helpful tips to help you look after your wetsuit:
Taking your wetsuit off: Take your time when you start. Don’t pull too much on the suit as this can result in torn neoprene.
Leave it inside out: When you’ve taken your wetsuit off, leave it inside out as this will put less stress on the seams and will dry better.
Rinse with cold water: Before you dry your wetsuit fully, rinse it in cold water as soon as possible to remove any saltwater as this can damage the neoprene.
Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners: Coldwater is enough to clean your wetsuit. Chemical cleaners will dry out the neoprene while hot water can also dissolve the glue in the seals. So that’s a hard no on washing machine too.
Leave out of direct sunlight: It might seem like a good idea to let your suit dry outside in the sun, but too much direct sunlight will damage the fabric.
Hang it by the waist: Hanging your suit by the shoulders can mess with the shoulder seams. Instead, hang it through a large plastic hanger or over the washing line by the waist.
Never use a tumble dryer: This is a fast way to cause damage to your wetsuit. Always let it dry naturally. Once the inside is fully dry, flip the suit the right way round to dry the outside.
Store your suit flat: Once your suit is dry, you can lay it out flat in a cool, dry area away from the sun until your next water sports adventure.
Most brands offer wetsuits which are suitable for most water sports. If you’re planning on doing a range of activities in your wetsuit then make sure you go for an all-around multisport wetsuit. But if you practice one particular water sport and want a specific wetsuit, here are some of the things to look out for:
Surfing: Wetsuits especially made for surfing (whether full-length suits or shorties) should have close-fitting arms and neck to prevent water flushing through the suit.
Windsurfing: If windsurfing is your sport, then you need a wetsuit with reinforced knees which will protect you when climbing on and off the board.
Kitesurfing: These suits need to be very flexible, fitted with high-cut arms. This will make the wetsuit less comfortable when your arms are down by your side, but perfect for kite flying.
Kayaking/Canoeing: A wetsuit for kayaking or canoeing needs to combine excellent manoeuvrability with great coverage and thermal insulation. Look for a suit with thinner neoprene on the arms and lots of stretch.
Diving: A diving suit needs to be made of thick neoprene as the water gets much colder the deeper you dive – especially in the UK.
Triathlon/Open water swimming: Speed is important here, so you need a wetsuit that is as thin as possible while enough to keep you warm. Triathlon wetsuits also tend to have very good buoyancy.
Choosing the right wetsuit for the activity you’re doing is super important. And it’s crucial to ensure the thickness is suitable too so you stay warm and comfortable. At Decathlon, we have a range of wetsuits for men, women and children to keep you protected in the water.
This women’s full wetsuit is ideal for beginner surfers for use in cold water (12°C and 17°C). The back zip makes it easy to put on and take off, boasting high quality and durable material to last you for years to come.
Here’s why we love it:
✓ Perfect for beginners
✓ Made from quality durable materials
✓ For use all year round
This men’s full wetsuit is perfectly suited to surfing and bodyboarding in cold water (12°C and 17°C). It offers effective thermal comfort and is easy to throw on. Fitted with seamless inserts at the crotch area and underarms for excellent freedom of movement, the synthetic lining allows for quick drying.
Here’s why we love it:
✓ Suited to cold water
✓ Great mobility
✓ Quick-drying
This kids’ full wetsuit is ideal for beginner surfers. Fitted with zips at the ankles and the back, the suit makes it a breeze to put on. It’s shaped to optimise arm rotation while paddling and will keep you warm in water temperatures of 12°C to 17°C, perfect for use all year round!
Here’s why we love it
✓ Perfect for beginners
✓ Easy to put on
✓ Shaped to optimise arm rotation
It’s you’re an intermediate surfer or bodyboarder, this wetsuit is perfect for you! It will keep you warm in cool water (between 12°C and 17°C) and its flexibility will provide you with unrivalled mobility. Also fitted with a long zip at the back to make it easier to put on and take off.
Here’s why we love it:
✓ Perfect intermediate wetsuit
✓ Ideal for use in cool UK waters
✓ Easy to put on/take off
This wetsuit is ideal for immediate male surfers as well as bodyboarding in cool water (between 12°C and 17°C). The inserts on the underarms and crotch area provide additional protection and reduces chafing. It’s also stretchable around the shoulders for easier and more comfortable manoeuvring in the water.
Here’s why we love it:
✓ Good stretch in the shoulders
✓ Inserts for comfort and protection
✓ Synthetic lining dries quickly
The perfect choice for immediate surfers, it’s easy to put on and take off, with its extra stretchy upper body material for greater freedom of movement. This full wetsuit is made from stitch-bonded 4 & 3mm thick neoprene which will keep your child warm and protected in cool waters.
Here’s why we love it:
✓ Unisex design
✓ Great stretch on the upper body
✓ Ideal for use all year round
The fit of a wetsuit is just as important as finding the right thickness. Whether you’re buying a suit for yourself or your child, ensure there isn’t too much excess material, particularly around the torso, to avoid cold water being flushed in.
For more advice on choosing the right wetsuit, speak to our expert water sports team in-store.
