{"id":19798,"date":"2025-07-07T11:24:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T10:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mountainwarehouse.com\/community\/?p=19798"},"modified":"2025-07-18T15:26:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T14:26:36","slug":"wetsuit-buying-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mountainwarehouse.com\/expert-advice\/travelling\/buying-guides-travel\/wetsuit-buying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Wetsuit Buying Guide: Find the Perfect Fit for Every Season"},"content":{"rendered":"
Wetsuits are an essential piece of kit when out in the water. You may think that wetsuits are resigned to cold winter days in freezing waves but wearing wetsuits with varying thicknesses throughout the year can keep you enjoying the water longer and more safely. To discover what kind of wetsuit you need to wear, and when, read our wetsuit buying guide below.<\/div>\n

What is a wetsuit and how does it work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Wetsuits are made of a stretchy, synthetic material called neoprene. They work by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the wetsuit fabric. This layer of water then uses your body heat to increase the temperature, which in turn keeps you warmer for longer. It is very important to keep warm in cold water as your body temperature can drop quickly, without you even realising!<\/p>\n

What wetsuit thickness do I need?<\/h2>\n

The thickness of a wetsuit is measured in millimetres (mm). The body of the wetsuit will be slightly thicker than the arms and legs, this is to account for movement and because you need the most insulation around your core. In the winter look for wetsuits with 4 or 5mm on their sleeves and in the summer you\u2019ll be comfortable with 2mm of sleeve thickness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Thickness<\/b><\/td>\nPerfect for…<\/b><\/td>\nExamples of product<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Between 2-3 mm<\/td>\nUse through spring \u2013 early autumn. Great for bodyboarding or surfboarding as it offers good flexibility. Perfect for people new to water sports.<\/td>\n\n

Mens Full Wetsuit<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

Womens Full Wetsuit<\/a><\/p>\n

Mens Shorty Wetsuit<\/a><\/p>\n

Womens Shorty Wetsuit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Between 4-5mm<\/td>\nUse through winter. Great for long periods of time in the water.<\/td>\n\n

Submerge Winter Wetsuit<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Our wetsuits are not designed for triathlons, they are too thick and will cause severe discomfort and potential chaffing injuries if used.<\/em><\/p>\n

Do I need a Short or Full wetsuit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A short wetsuit<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>doesn\u2019t cover your lower legs or arms, giving you unrestricted movement. They are usually used in the summer, depending on the weather and temperature of the water. Short wetsuits are great because they keep your core warm while still giving you the chance to move freely.<\/p>\n

Full wetsuits<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>cover everything apart from your feet, hands, and head. They are designed for colder weather and will keep you warmer than a short wetsuit. They still offer flexibility, but you may find more restriction in your arms and legs than if you were wearing a short style.<\/p>\n

Wetsuits are designed for use in the sea and not as a beach cover up. Therefore if you wear your wetsuit for prolonged periods of time on a beach without sea use they can cause heat rashes.<\/em><\/p>\n

What size wetsuit do I want?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Wetsuits should be close fitting to your body without any bagginess, while still being able to move your arms and legs comfortably. However, it shouldn\u2019t be too easy to get on and off, if it is easily done without much effort, it may be too big. Your wetsuit should have a good seal at the neck, sleeve and ankle hem so that water cannot ingress easily. If your wetsuit doesn\u2019t fit to your body properly, cold water won\u2019t get trapped in the neoprene and will cause you to feel the chill a lot quicker. If in doubt, you can take a look at our Mountain Warehouse size guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If your wetsuit is too big it can lead to chaffing and friction burns at joints.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is it better to size up or down?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You should always consider personal comfort and the sizing guidelines, but if you\u2019re between sizes, it\u2019s usually recommended to go with the smaller size. This helps ensure a snug fit and comfort underwater. Just remember, it\u2019s essential that the wetsuit is not too tight.<\/p>\n

Extra Features <\/strong><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll find some of our wetsuits contain features for added comfort and practicality.<\/p>\n