Before spending your money on a new mens wetsuit, you should gain some basic knowledge about what to look for.
Neoprene is the primary choice of material for wetsuits, because of it’s superb insulating properties. Wetsuit panels are often different thicknesses; thicker around the torso, and thinner on the limbs. The thickness of the material is measured in millimeters and described in numbers; a 3/2 wetsuit will be 3mm on the torso and 2mm on the limbs. The panels are welded or stitched together.
Many manufacturers chose to substitute neoprene with other materials to save costs, as it is an expensive material. Also, other materials (like merino wool) are often added to add additional insulating layers.
Selecting the appropriate wetsuit for the conditions:
Warm water (75F / 24C) - A shortie wetsuit is the ideal choice. Constructed from thinner material, they are ideal for those seeking a good range of movement for active sports (like surfing).
For spring conditions (65F - 75F / 18C - 24C) a three quarters suit “Spring suit” is ideal. These wetsuits have three quarter length sleeves and legs. They’re usually available in 3/2 or 2/1 thickness.
A full wetsuit, often called a “Steamer”, is the ideal choice for winter conditions, where the water is below 60F/15.5C. A full wetsuit will have full length sleeves and legs and will typically be between 3/2 and 7mm thickness. Many modern, winter wetsuits are available with a pull-over hood which zips at the front.
You can get extra warmth from your wetsuit by adding extra layers. A good choice is a rash vest, a thin, tight vest which can be worn beneath your wetsuit. Hoods and boots are also useful.
Choosing the appropriate wetsuit for your sport:
Every sport has it’s own set of requirements from a wetsuit.
Sports like Kiteboarding, Windsurfing, Wakeboarding, Water Skiing and Surfing require a wetsuit which allows a good range movement. Super stretchy neoprene and thinner panels will afford you more enjoyment from your wetsuit (unless it’s really cold). Choose welded seams over stitched seams, as they help prevent heat loss from losing water through the seams, that your body has already warmed up.
SCUBA Diving - If this is your sport, make sure you choose the correct thickness / style for the temperature of water you plan to dive in. With many diving suits, you’ll find nice additional features like extra padding at the back, where your bottle sits.
Triathlon - Triathlon wetsuits are extremely specialized. They require maximum buoyancy and slick surfaces to speed your passage through the water. They’re also cut differently to improve your range of movement.
There are additional influencing factors, beyond the scope of this article, for choosing a sport specific wetsuit. However, the advice here should be enough to get you started.
Let’s sum everything up:
a) What water temperature do you plan to operate in? If it’s only the warmest temperatures you’ll want a shorty. If you want a wider temperature range, you might consider a spring suit. A 3/2 full length suit is good for all but extremes of hot and cold, but if you’re plan to primarily operate in cold water you’ll need to go for a thicker full length suit (5/3 or thicker).
b) Budget - More cash usually means better materials, which give you more flexibility, but they usually wear out faster. If you’re on a budget, bear that in mind. If you plan to use your suit often and don’t want to have to keep replacing it, you may choose a more durable but less comfortable wetsuit. If you have a healthy budget and don’t plan to use the wetsuit as often (or can afford to replace the suit every year) you can choose the highest quality, most comfortable wetsuit.
c) Choose a wetsuit appropriate for your sport.
All the best in choosing your new wetsuit.
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