Wetsuits are one of the most, if not the most essential components of spearfishing. It is more than just a piece of clothing, it keeps you warm, protects you from the elements (the sun, harmful things in the water), and maintains your body temperature in the water. Buying the right wetsuit is always the best type of investment for you, so we have decided to make decision-making easy for you with these tips. Whether you are a new or an experienced diver these tips can be very helpful for you.
What type would you go with?
There are so many varieties of wetsuits, but there are generally three popular types
- Full wetsuits: these are generally more favored for colder climates, due to the tendency to always keep the wearer warm. A major disadvantage is that they limit mobility
- Jane wetsuits: these are one-piece suits with long legs and often no-sleeves
- Wetsuit Separates: these are also notable for being used in colder waters. They are worn with underneath full bodysuits to cover every inch of the body
Fit Matters
Every wetsuit brand manufacturer has options in different sizes. It is always best to take your time to pick the most suitable option for you. Remember, comfort is of prime importance and whatever brand you choose to go with, you must prioritize comfort.
Every wetsuit brand features both a different fit and a different size chart to make things difficult. Follow each brand’s size guide according to your height and weight to start to hone in on the perfect size. How should a wetsuit fit? Some things to consider
- Does it feel maneuverable and free? Is there extra space for your torso and legs?
- Is moving your arms a can you crouch down and move your head? Is moving your arms and shoulders difficult? Stressful? Does it feel like you are trapped in a piece of clothing? If you cannot perform essential diving techniques like shoulder rotations, arm, and leg movement, etc, then the wetsuit is too small
- Sometimes it can be tough to get your particular body type, or one that is most easy for you to be able to move around freely. In that case, getting a custom fit wetsuit is a very good option.
Zippers
Zippers are an integral part of a wetsuit, as it is important when trying to move in and out of it. As such, its length ultimately determines how easy it will be to get in and out of it. The longer it is, the easier it is to get in and out.
There are generally three common types of zippers. These are
- Back zips, where the zips are located at the back of the wetsuit. They are quite easier to move in and out of, due to having a long zip at the end, making it easy to reach and adjust. A downside is that they allow relatively more water to get in
- Chest zips, where the zip features on the torso and chest area. The zipline has to get past your head and neck before it can be fully zipped on, so you have to test it to see that you are most comfortable using it. They generally allow less water in than back zips and can safely be gotten in and out of, so your neck will not feel any strain or wound
- Zipperless suits are more lightweight than the rest, so have a great mobility advantage. Although they cannot keep you as warm as the other two, so it is your chance on what you want; mobility or warmth. They are very great to increase athleticism and are incredibly durable and high performance.
Material
Wetsuits come in different materials, but the most prominent material is known as neoprene. It is waterproof and lightweight, so it allows for easy maneuverability and flexibility, without feeling like a burden. It is also extremely durable in colder waters and keeps you warm all the time.
Being comfortable is still the paramount consideration, as there is no greater value for money than comfort.
Also note that nowadays, wetsuits are generally sealed. This means that it is stitched and then glued very tightly to allow the least amount of water. This is in contradistinction to earlier wetsuits that were mostly unsealed. Now, moat higher-end wetsuits are sealed, and they are designed opted for by newer manufacturers.
How thick should the wetsuit be? It is extremely important to factor in thickness as it determines just how comfortable you will be in the wetsuit. After all, you are the one wearing it. Thickness is important so that, in as much as you need to stay warm, your mobility and body movements are not hindered by the extra weight of the wetsuit on your limbs.
Neoprene is the most widely used wetsuit material, and the thickness is measured in millimeters. So, the two measurements you should look out for are the one along the body area of the wetsuit, and the other one that measures the thickness along the arms and legs. As a general rule, a 3/2 wetsuit (meaning 3 millimeters along the body and 2 millimeters along with the limbs) is a very good bet for divers and spearos.
You can check out https://neptonics.com/product-category/spearfishing-wetsuits/ as the first step for quality options for wetsuits of any type, shape, thickness, and measurement.
Conclusion
So, we have given you several useful tips on what to look out for when buying a wetsuit. There are always a ton of options, so your decision does not necessarily have to be based on brand loyalty. Being comfortable in it, as well as moving freely, whether it fits the purpose you need it for, and also it is on a good budget. Comfort is everything. A well-chosen wetsuit can be worn for a very very long time without any hassles or need to change, so take your time and pick the best option for you.
