How Thick Should My Wetsuit Be?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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We recommend a wetsuit thickness of

at least 5mm

; we recommend wearing boots, but hood and gloves are optional depending on your tolerance to the cold.

Is a 3mm wetsuit enough?

3mm Wetsuits


This thickness is perfect if you feel the chill and a shorty wetsuit isn’t warm enough in the summer

. They are especially handy if you surf at dusk or dawn and need something more protective than a shorty wetsuit, or as the end of the summer season develops into the autumnal months.

Is 3mm wetsuit OK for winter?

So

for a winter wetsuit you’ll be looking for a 4/3mm or more

, and for summer opt for just 2 or 3mm of neoprene. For more information on thickness, check out our wetsuit thickness guide here.

What does 3 2mm wetsuit mean?

3/2 mm means, for example, that

the neoprene has a thickness of 3 mm on the torso and 2 mm on the legs and arms

. Most wetsuits have a difference of 1-2 mm, because the warmth effect is more important on the body and the flexibility on the arms and legs.

Is 5mm wetsuit too thick?


We recommend a wetsuit thickness of at least 5mm

; we recommend wearing boots, but hood and gloves are optional depending on your tolerance to the cold.

How thick is 2mm wetsuit?

A 2/2 mm, also called a 2.0 or 2mm, is a

very thin summer wetsuit or springsuit

. 2/2 mm wetsuits usually come in flatlock stitching which is not waterproof. 2/2 mm refers to the main neoprene thicknesses used in individual panels to stitch together a complete wetsuit.

Do you have to pee in a wetsuit?


There’s no health risk to peeing in your wetsuit

. Most people don’t realize that urine is sterile, unless you already have an infection of the urinary tract.

Can you swim in a 5mm wetsuit?

The rules state a wetsuit is made of material providing thermal insulation, shall completely cover torso, back, shoulders and knees. They shall not extend past neck, wrists and ankles.

They should be between 3mm and 5mm thickness but can be lower in some parts of the suit to allow free movement

.

What temperature is a 2mm wetsuit good for?

Water Temp Range (°F) Water Temp Range (°C) Wetsuit Thickness 65°- 75° 18° – 24° 0.5 mm – 2/1 mm
62°- 68°


16° – 20°

2 mm – 3/2 mm
58°- 63° 14° – 17° 3/2 mm – 4/3 mm 52°- 58° 11° – 14° 4/3 mm – 5/4/3 mm

Is a 3 2 wetsuit warm enough?

Pronounced “three-two”, a 3/2mm full wetsuit is

a fantastic option for days when you need full coverage in warm to cool water temperatures

. And by water temperatures, I mean in the 58 Degrees Fahrenheit & up kind of temperatures (depending on the wetsuit seams – more on that shortly).

Do you wear anything under a wetsuit?


Wetsuits are designed keep you warm without anything special worn underneath

. Here’s what most people do: Surfing & General Watersports: Most surfers and riders wear boardshorts or a swimsuit. It’s easy, convenient, and flexible.

Why are wetsuits black?

Black

Provides Ultimate UV Protection

Neoprene, the type of rubber your wetsuit is likely made from, starts off as a milky white color. Carbon black is a key ingredient added, turning the rubber black to increase strength. It also provides heightened UV resistance for the same reason as heat absorption.

What temp is a 3mm wetsuit good for?

80 to 84 Degrees (26-28 C) 2 mm shorty to dive sking
73 to 79 Degrees (22-25 C)

3 mm fullsuit to 2 mm shorty
66 to 72 Degrees (18-21 C) 5 mm to 3 mm fuillsuit 50 to 65 Degrees (10-17 C) 8/7 mm semidry to 7 mm wetsuit Below 50 Degrees (Below 10 C) 8/7 mm semidry or drysuit

Do I need a 4 3 wetsuit?

Water Temperature (Fahrenheit / Celsius) Wetsuit Type* Extras 52°F / 11.5°C 4/3 Sealed & Taped Warm Rashguard, booties, wetsuit gloves

What temperature is a 5mm wetsuit good for?

SCUBA
58°+
7mm Full 5mm John & Jacket
60°+
5mm Full 3mm John & Jacket
65°+
3mm Full 3mm John & Jacket
72°+
3mm Full Springsuit

At what temperature do you need a wetsuit?

The range of

50 to 78 degrees

is therefore the ideal range for using a wetsuit. Any warmer, and the swimmer may actually overheat due to the wetsuit’s insulative qualities. Truth be told, we think it is pretty easy to get too warm inside a wetsuit even in the 74-77 degree range.

What size am I in a wetsuit?

MENS WETSUIT SIZE GUIDE Measurement

S


XXL
Height 5′ 6” – 5′ 8” 6′ 1” – 6′ 4” 168 – 173cm 185 – 195cm Weight 61 – 68kg 93 – 100kg

Do wetsuits really keep you warm?

The myth is this: Wetsuits keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between your skin and the suit. This is incorrect.

A wetsuit that is bone-dry on the inside will actually be warmer than one that’s wet

.

What is the thinnest neoprene wetsuit?

The thinnest of the wetsuits, the

0.5mm

wetsuit is suited for temperatures above 70°F. Most of them are found as tops, shorts or even vests.

What is a good wetsuit for cold water?

Wetsuit. Cold Water Temperature Range. Roka Maverick Pro Thermal Wetsuit 42°-70°F/ 6°-21°C Orca Openwater Smart Wetsuit 50°-75°F/ 10°-24°C. Blueseventy Fusion Wetsuit 50°-80°F/ 10°-26°C Synergy Triathlon Open Water Wetsuit 50°-80°F/ 10°-26°C.

What is a 3mm wetsuit?

Pronounced as “four-three”, 4/3mm wetsuits means that there’s

4mm of thickness in the torso and 3mm thickness in the arms and the legs

.

Can jellyfish sting through wetsuit?

Luckily,

wetsuits are able to protect you from jellyfish stings

. Since wetsuits are made of thick rubber material, they function as excellent deterrents against jellyfish stings. Because of this, some wearers even opt to use wetsuits in warm waters.

Are wetsuits worth it?


Owning a wetsuit is beneficial for everyone, from amateur to pro

. Body heat is lost 20 times more in water than air due to the higher density, encouraging more conduction. So you don’t have to be the world’s biggest water enthusiast to feel the need to keep warm.

How do you stay warm in a wetsuit?

To stay warm in your wetsuit

make sure your wetsuit fits tight and is the right thickness

. Pour warm water into your wetsuit before entering the cold water or wee in your wetsuit once in the water. Move around to stay warm and consider booties, gloves, a hoodie or an insulated vest to keep you warmer.

What is the best wetsuit thickness for UK?

So a

4/3mm

wetsuit will serve you for surfing cold water throughout the autumn and winter months in the UK, November to April. With thicker 4mm of neoprene around the middle body to keep warmth locked in and 3mm neoprene on the arms and legs for greater flexibility.

Can you surf in a swimming wetsuit?


Beware of surfing in a swimming wetsuit because it’s not meant to have a wide stance like on a surfboard

! Surfing wetsuits come in a wide variety of styles to fit differences in water temperature, from full length to vests.

What mm wetsuit do I need UK?

Water Temperature Wetsuit Type Wetsuit Thickness
20°C – 25°C


Shorty


1mm to 1/2mm
15°C – 20°C Shorty or Full Length Suit 1/2mm or 3/2mm 10°C – 15°C Full Length Suit 3/2mm or 5/4/3mm Below 10°C Full Length Suit 5/4/3mm
Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.