Guide: Finding A Summer Wetsuit For You

With the weather beginning to warm up, it’s time to start the hunt for a summer wetsuit. Here at Wake2o, we have what you need to make the most out of the sea this summer. With a variety of summer suits, different technologies, shorties and full suits, as well as prices. So, we can be sure to find a wetsuit perfect for you.

The fit of your wetsuit is very important as the purpose of a wetsuit is to keep you warm whilst you are in the water by trapping a thin layer of water between your body and the neoprene. This water is heated up by your body temperature. It is important that your wetsuit is a tight fit otherwise, it will let the water you’ve warmed up out and let new cold water in.

Shorty Or Full Suit
Thickness
Seams And Stitching

SHORTY OR FULL SUIT?

A shorty wetsuit is short arms and short legs, or can be a combination of either long arms and short legs or short arms and long legs. Shorty suits offer some warmth when in the sea but aren’t too warm when chilling on the beach.

A full suit provides more warmth as your arms and legs are covered and keeps you warmer for a longer period of time. They also give you protection on your knees which is perfect of if you’re surfing.

Explore Wetsuits

Summer Wetsuit Guide - Choosing The Best Summer Wetsuits - Shrewsbury Surf Shop - Wake2o UK

Thickness

We often get asked “What thickness do I need?” when someone is hunting for a new wetsuit. There are various different thicknesses for wetsuits ranging from 1mm all the way up to 6mm.

Typically the thickness of a summer wetsuit is 3/2mm. This means 3mm on the torso and 2mm legs and arms. So, the first number tends to be the highest which is thickness around the chest and back . This is to keep your vital organs warm. The lower and second number is the neoprene thickness around your arms and legs allowing you more flexibility. However, everyone is different some people feel the cold more than others, so what thickness feels best for you is perfect.

In the UK, between June – October a 3mm suit is perfect. If you feel the cold a 4mm might suit you better and is a good medium between the thicknesses.

Depending on what activities you’re doing a thicker wetsuit may be better. For example if you’re doing water sports that may have wind chill such as; kitesurfing, sailing or windsurfing. Then a thicker wetsuit may be more ideal to help keep you warm from wind chill.

SEAMS AND STITCHING

The way your wetsuit is stitched makes a massive difference on how it performs. The stitching can affect the durability, performance and the price of your suit. Seams can be a key point of weakness and they can be the cause of letting in water and leading you to become cold. We will talk you through each style of stitching.

Guide: Wetsuit Seams