A well created, properly fitted wetsuit goes a long way in maximizing your enjoyment of water sports. Regardless of whether you’re involved in scuba, jet skiing, surfing or triathlons, you will find points you must consider before investing in high-tech water gear. Start with these 7 questions:

  1. What is the chief function for my suit? Will it be warmth, a good defense from abrasions, buoyancy, or shelter from the sun? Buy gear specifically suited to your sport.
  2. What cost selection can I afford? Do your homework, and don’t forget to factor in shipping expenses and the value of a good warranty. Luxury wetsuits come with extra characteristics. Look for a design it is possible to live with at a value it is possible to afford. A Billabong wetsuit for example the Solution Gold 5/4/3 mm Steamer, for example, is a full bodysuit treated with Dry Max Coating and made with the company’s second generation Superflex neoprene – reportedly “the most advanced stretch material on the marketplace nowadays.” The wetsuit also features Gold Hollow Fiber Brushed Tricot Thermal Material in the back and chest panel. It runs in the $245 range. You possibly can locate an O Neill wetsuit with similar characteristics.
  3. Is the wetsuit manufactured of multi-directional fabric that will give in the perfect places, allowing ease of movement? Surfers will need a wetsuit with super-stretch neoprene (30-100%) to allow for mobility while throwing tricks. A jet ski junkie in New England, however, might be looking for a suit that conserves body heat – something with thicker neoprene specs.
  4. Where are seams put on the wetsuit? Chafing is usually a real issue, specially when raw skin and salt water meet. Body gear suited to windsurfing is probably not comfortable for surfers that have to paddle their boards out to meet waves. Take note of seam placement. Also look for phrases like “flat-lock stitching,” which is appropriate for warm water above 62 degrees F. “Glued and blind-stitched seams” are narrower and seal out cold water 55 degrees F or more. “Sealed and taped seams” add increased durability and stop seepage in water below 55 degrees F.
  5. Do I need a warm or a cool-water suit? May be the material light enough for scorching days at El Martillo or created for semi-dry protection needed for kayaking Alaska’s waterways in the fall? Check the thickness of the material which often ranges from 2 millimeters of neoprene for warm-weather suits up to 4-6 millimeters of material for cold-water environments.
  6. Do I require booties, gloves as well as a hood? They’ll add to the cost.
  7. Is the suit loose, snug or tight? Snug is where you want to be. If it’s too tight, your motions will be limited and you will probably chafe. If it’s too loose, heat conservation will be minimized, as well as the bodysuit may slide around hindering selection of motion. Pay close attention to sizing charts. If at all possible, go to a store and try the wetsuit on. Many reputable businesses allow you to experiment with the wetsuit in water and allow size exchanges.