Wetsuit buying guide
With so many choices and so many makes it is difficult to choose!!!
Heavy marketing backs up many brands and some are always more flavor
of the month than others. ALL down to advertising!! It is now common
knowledge that most of the suits are made in the far East and most produced
and licensed by one major manufacturer. Well known brand invest in research
and patent their designs and others will copy and follow on as the new
suit filtrate through the shops and become widely available.
Winter Wetsuits
Thickness known as 4/3mm or 5/4/3mm or even 6/5/4mm. Generally the first
number refers to the thickness of the front chest panel or upper and
main part of the suit.. The middle number normally refers to the remaining
parts of the suit other than the stretch panels under the arms and behind
knees, which is referred to by the last number.
Most will be at least blind stitched and glued or better still liquid
seamed or fusion taped.
A good test is to hold one end of the sleeve tightly shut and blow
the cuff like a balloon to see how quickly air escapes through the seams.
Most good suits will keep the air in and therefore indicate that water
ingress will be difficult, therefore keeping body temperature up!!!
Some come with hoods attached or modular hoods (detachable). Most manufacturers
offer separate hoods, and rash vest. A lot of wetsuits offer built in
rash vest pulled over the head and stopping water entering the small
of the back. Some also offer HFT (Hollow Fiber Technology) or Thermal
lining (Firewall). Most are back zip entry (generally short 3⁄4
zip to reduce water entry) others are front zip entry and definitively
reduce water entry but can be difficult to get in or out of it in a
hurry.
Summer Suits
Thickness 3/2mm or 2/2mm. As above refers to the different panels, the
cheapest ones will be double blind stitched, and although will go through
the material is doubled. These normally will be less stretchy E.g. 60%,
more expensive suits will be more than likely 100% stretchy and a lot
more comfortable to wear.
So where do I start?
• Set yourselves a budget, most suits in the summer range will
start from the £69 region (sometimes even a lot less ie; supermarkets,
but you do tend to get what you pay for), and in the winter £110
and above. This is because in the summer you can get away with a suit
where the stitching goes through the suit and nothing else (this leaves
to a fair bit of water ingress, which is unlikely to be a problem when
the waters are warmer). In the winter this will be more likely need
to be blind stitched (where the stitching only goes through one side
of the suit and is sealed either with glue or better still, liquid seal
or fusion tape)
• If you were likely to only have one suit, I would recommend
a decent winter suit, as it will cover most eventualities in our weather
conditions, never a problem to be too warm in England!!! Also a summer
suit as already pointed out is a lot cheaper to add to you sea wardrobe.
• The best suit will always be the one that fits you the best,
a £100 suit that fits you well will be warmer than a £300
suit that does not!!!
• Compare suits in prices with the same features, some top branded
suits might be more expensive than a lesser branded one with more or
better features e.g. Blind stitched against liquid seamed.
• British makes are as good as others and generally have a great
after sale service, as they are likely to have a simpler returns policy.
However this will definitively depend upon your retailer.
• It is imperative to try suits on and although we also sell
by distance ie on the web, use the size guides and check the return
policy if you are tempted. Better still speak on the phone to the salesman,
check they know what they are talking about and purchase from a shop
offering choices of a few suits.
• Forums can be a good source of advice but be prudent as much
depends on personal preferences and experiences.
• All suits can experience problems but a good retailer should
always back you up, for example at Surfedout we always will sort it
for you, and even try and give you a loan suit in between repairs. Suits
however have improved a lot and thankfully returns remain rare compared
to the amounts of suits sold.
We are always there to help and advise on site and via phone or internet, so do not hesitate to contact us on 01271 812 512 or email us here info@surfedout.com
