top tips for wetsuit buying
Planning on surfing all winter? Then you’re going to need a decent wetsuit to keep you warm. Wetsuit technology has come on leaps and bounds, and this season you’ll find some awesome women’s winter wetsuits on the market. Here’s our top tips and top picks.
Tips for buying the best winter wetsuit to keep you snug in the surf all winter:
1. Shop around
Try on as many wetsuits as possible. Try new styles, brands and sizes, and don’t just stick to what you know. You might well come up trumps with a wetsuit that could change your whole experience of surfing in winter.
2. Buy the wetsuit that fits you best
Don’t be put off by the size on the label. Whether you have to go up or down a size, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it fits perfectly. Which is also why the first tip is so important. We all have different body shapes, so find a suit that works best for yours.
3. Invest in your kit
As a general rule, the more you spend on a wetsuit, the better the quality you’ll get. And while this isn’t always the case, it’s better to invest in the best wetsuit you can. If you plan on surfing as much as you possibly can over the winter, you’re going to need a decent wetsuit to keep you warm out there in the line up.
4. Know what thickness you need for the region where you’re surfing
A 4/3mm wetsuit is perfect for autumn in Europe. As the water temperature ebbs in December/ January, you’ll probably feel need something warmer to keep going through until March/ April.
A 5/3mm wetsuit will keep you warm all winter long in most parts of Europe and is the most popular ratio for a winter wetsuit.
If you really feel the cold or are hitting extremely low water temperatures, go for a 6/5/3mm – these usually come with built-in hoods too.
5. Try a chest zip or a zipper-less wetsuit
If you’ve always worn a back zip, why not try a chest zip, which keeps more water out and more warmth in? Or even try a zipper-less suit, which practically eliminates water entry due to the lack of seams.
Words by: Louise Searle
Photos by: Megan Hemsworth