August 04, 2016 4 min read
Kahlee talks us through some helpful tips in choosing a wetsuit, and which wetsuit to choose.
Wetsuits are an important addition to your equipment providing spearos and divers with a range of benefits. A good wetsuit will provide environmental protection from the sun, give warmth when needed and prevent abrasions from coral, reefs, wrecks or even your own catch. The spines of a large or even small fish raked up against your skin can cause some nasty cuts.
Choosing a wetsuit can be a daunting task as there are so many styles and materials to decide upon so here’s the lowdown to make it easier.
Closed-Cell Neoprene
There are different cuts to chose from with wetsuits.
Steamer Wetsuit
TIP: If you find the wetsuit you want only has long johns but you’d prefer high-waisted pants just cut it to make your own.
The thicker the wetsuit generally the warmer it is so when deciding what thickness wetsuit to buy consider when and where you are going to be using it.
Wetsuit thickness falls mainly into three categories:
TIP: Often you can only afford one wetsuit so in southern Queensland where the temperature can range from 16 degrees in winter to 28 degrees in summer you may just opt for a 3.5mm two-piece wetsuit. In summer you may wear your top with boardies, in those in between months wear your full wetsuit and in winter add a thermal for extra warmth.
It’s important to get the right wetsuit size to achieve optimum warmth and comfort. If a wetsuit is too big or baggy you will experience flushing or water flowing through the suit. A main purpose of a wetsuit is to stop flushing so your skin is not in constant contact with cold water. A wetsuit needs to fit snuggly but should not be so tight as to compromise comfort. When choosing a wetsuit it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s own size chart. We’ve compiled size charts for all our stocked brands to make the job of choosing the correct fit easier.
This is a matter of preference.
It’s important to take care of your wetsuit as they are not cheap. As mentioned open-cell and smooth skin wetsuits can be fragile and may get a small cut in them now and again. Adreno sells neoprene glue to repair a small cut or even a larger rip.
Wetsuits, especially the ones made of closed-cell neoprene, can also harbor bacteria and smells. A wetsuit wash, which we sell, will help prevent any smells or bacteria building up, prolonging the life of your wetsuit.