How To Buy a Wet Suit For Surfing

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Whether surfing on a brisk summer morning or in freezing winter waters, you'll need a wet suit. Here's what to look for.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A local surf shop
A computer with internet access (optional)

Step 1: Visit your local surf shop

Visit a surf shop, and talk to a salesperson. Most wet suits work not only as insulation, but also by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your skin. Your body heat warms the water layer, keeping your insulated. Because of this, look for a suit that fits your body snugly.

Tip: Look for a good fit around the neck so that water doesn't enter the suit when you duck dive.

Step 2: Decide on material

Most suits are made of neoprene blended with other materials. Look for neoprene blended with wool and polyester if you are going to face water temperatures below 60 degrees.

Step 3: Choose your thickness

Decide on your wet suit's thickness, which depends on water temperature. Wet suits can vary from 2 millimeters for warmer climates to 6 millimeters for water temperatures less than 40 degrees.

Tip: Depending on the water temperature of your location, you may need a wet suit with a hood, as well as seperate gloves and booties to keep you as warm as possible.

Step 4: Don't skimp on quality

Don't skimp on quality; examine each suit's construction, especially the quality of its seams and zippers. Look for suits with waterproof seams; sewn-together seams let in more water than seams that are sealed with "liquid tape." If you like a particular suit, but it seams are sewn, look for small stitches that are close together.

Tip: Search online: You can sometimes find the suit you want for a lower price.

Step 5: Try it on

When you think you've found the suit for you, try it on! Pick the closest-fitting size you can get in and out easily and move around in without restriction. If some areas of the suit feel too tight or loose, try another size. You'll be thankful you found the right fit once you get out there!

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Recreation
• surf
• surfing
• buying
• purchasing
• choosing
• picking
• wetsuit
• wet
• suit
• surfer

[10dimensionman]

their telling you how to buy the right fitting one so you dont get hypothermia from the water artard.

[7r00]

she's hot

[Ripcurl4Life1]

id let her ride me up

[ScarlettTheKitteh]

Step 1. JUST BUY A FREAKING WE SUIT!

[mando1097]

...you had me at booties. :P

[vtaank]

Great Job.

[TaylorHarrizzz]

@Xx93SkittlesxX hehhhehehe

[Xx93SkittlesxX]

@youlosez ripcurl did u spastic

[youlosez]

billabong made that heated-coil suit!

[universalxoxo]

Ok, I can understand that. Thanks!

[RobertGoulet298]

A lot of people aren't aware of the differences between different thicknesses, construction, and materials used in wetsuits (all of which play a huge part in either keeping you warm, or making you freeze your ass off, especially if you're surfing in waters below 50). Let alone, how a wetsuit actually works. So this could help people get a better understanding of the products before they go to the shop to purchase.