Newbie surfers getting ready to hit the waves may worry about sharks. That fear is overblown. In 2016, there were only four fatal shark attacks around the world.
You’re better off focusing on other things. Depending on the water temperature, one of those things is a wetsuit.
You can’t pick any old wetsuit and assume it will be fine. Paying attention to wet suit thickness ensures you have the best possible experience. That applies if you’re surfing, swimming, rafting, or doing some other water sport.
Read on for a wet suit thickness guide that will help you stay comfortable and safe.
Why Wet Suit Thickness Matters
If the water is warm, you can often forgo the wetsuit and wear a rashguard with your swimsuit. But if the water is below a certain threshold, you’ll need the neoprene suit commonly known as a wetsuit.
A wetsuit is a good idea if the temperature is below about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A partial wetsuit may be all you need if the temperatures are between about 65 and 75. If temperatures are lower than that, opt for a full suit.
Wetsuits should trap water between your body and the neoprene suit. Your body provides heat to warm that water. Neoprene also helps insulate your body.
A swimmers wetsuit helps them float. Some people think it weighs them down, but that’s not the way wetsuits work. Diving into the water in your pajamas would drag you down, but wetsuits decrease drag.
If you don’t how to buy a wetsuit, remember that wetsuit thickness is measured in millimeters. A 2/3 mm wetsuit provides less protection (but more flexibility) than a 4/5 mm suit.
Traveling to Unfamiliar Waters
Settling on a wet suit thickness is simpler when you’re going to the beach or lake by your house. You’re more familiar with that water’s temperature fluctuations, for one thing.
But picking a wetsuit for your travel wardrobe is another matter. Let’s say you live in San Diego but are traveling to the Oregon coast.
Water temperatures are colder in the Pacific Northwest. You’ll need to pack a thicker suit. As of this writing, the water temperature was almost 10 degrees cooler in the Northwest versus Southern California.
Swimming wetsuits that work well in the South won’t work so well in Northern climates. For example, a wetsuit worn in New England in May will likely be too thick and restrictive for the Gulf Coast of Texas in August.
The activity you’re doing also counts. An athlete competing in a triathlon should look at thicker swimmers’ wetsuits than someone riding the waves in a kayak.
Find a wetsuit that is stylish and comfortable. But remember the suit construction is more important than looking like you just stepped off the pages of a surfing magazine.
Making Wetsuits Work
Your wet suit thickness isn’t all you’ll need to focus on when buying a wetsuit. Educating yourself on components like zippers and seals is also an important part of the buying process.
You could spend a couple hundred dollars or more to get a quality wetsuit. It’s worth the price, but we know you’ve got a budget.
We can help. Check out our post about traveling on a budget for more tips.
