How to Choose a Wet Suit

An ill-fitting wet suit can leave you chilly, uncomfortable or overexerted. Choose wisely.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Wet Suits

Learn the Lingo

1. Understand that most wet suits are differentiated by the thickness of their neoprene material, measured in millimeters.

2. Recognize "shorties" as wet suits that cover the torso and have short sleeves and leggings.

3. Know that "steamers" are full wet suits covering all but your head, feet and hands.

4. Realize that a "farmer John" is not someone in the agriculture business, but a full wet suit with wide shoulder straps and no arms. These are generally sold with an outer jacket.

5. Understand that a "convertible" is a steamer with removable arms.

6. Know that wet suits come in combos like 6-4-3 (6mm torso, 4mm arms and 3mm leggings).

7. Recognize that "dry suits" have attached booties and watertight (in theory) seals around the wrists and neck, allowing the wearer to don thermal clothes underneath.

8. Practice throwing out phrases like, "Rad four-mill steamer, dude!" (Translation: "That sure is a swell-looking, 4-millimeter-thick, full wet suit, my friend.")

Decide by Sport and Climate

1. Realize that a 2mm shorty will suffice for any sport in warm weather and water.

2. Know that surfers and sailboarders prefer wet suits with thin arms for easy paddling and movement. The 5-3 is a popular combo (5mm torso, 3mm arms/legs).

3. Remember that cold-water scuba divers rarely dive with less than a 5mm and often choose dry suits.

Choose a Proper Fit

1. Pull on the wet suit in a dry environment.

2. Breathe in deeply.

3. Make sure neither the neck nor chest is too tight for easy breathing.

4. Stretch your arms and legs ' the wet suit should remain tight at the cuffs and neck.

5. Check to see that the suit is form-fitting, without loose folds or bubbles.

6. Enter the water.

7. Allow the suit to fill.

8. Wait until the trapped layer of water warms.

9. Swim about and observe whether too much water sloshes in and out of the suit, making you too cool.

10. Choose a good fastener; some suits are zipperless, while others have zippers on the chest or back.

Tips & Warnings

• For cold water or for exposure protection, gloves, booties and hoods are necessary.

• For those wanting thin suits for cold water (cold-climate surfers, for example), some wet suits come with the seams taped and glued, allowing less water to circulate.

• Don't buy an overly tight suit. These can result in shallow breathing and limited circulation to the limbs constricted by tight cuffs.