Wetsuit Selector
Related links: New
wetsuits, Used
wetsuits, Wetsuit
accessories, Wetsuit size chart
| In choosing a wetsuit you'll need to figure out how cold or warm
it will be where you're sailing. Wetsuits are made of neoprene,
one type of which is smoothskin.
Wetsuits come in 1-5 mm. neoprene and thicker is warmer. A 4/3
mm. wetsuit will have 4 mm. neoprene on the torso and 3
mm. on the arms and legs. Recently super stretchy neoprene has come on
the market which has made wetsuits much more flexible,
comfortable, and lighter. While this is a great improvement
the newer materials are not as durable as the more traditional
neoprenes. You will still find a range of styles and prices,
more expensive suits of any type will be stretchier and more
comfortable but less durable and less expensive suits will be less
stretchy but more durable. |
|
Air temperature |
Water temperature |
Example |
| Cold |
30-50 F |
40-55 F |
Gorge in
March/April |
|
Cool
|
50-75 F |
55-65 F |
Gorge in May/June |
| Warm |
75+ F |
70+ F |
Hawaii/Caribbean |
Cold
A drysuit is still the warmest thing available if you are in
frigid temperatures, however most companies don't make them for
windsurfers anymore. Drysuits have dry zippers that don't
let any water in and are nearly impossible to close without
assistance. Dry zippers are also prohibitively expensive. These days most people will get a 5/4
mm. or 4/3 mm. steamer wetsuit
(fullsuit), many of which come with very short zippers
(less place for water to seep in), and supplement these with a hood,
booties, rashguard and mitts.
Some of these suits also feature a new chest zipper system, where
you step into the suit and pull it up over your head. While
this style helps to provide extra warmth, most people still prefer
the traditional zipper in the back as it makes the whole thing
easier to get in and out of. Another helpful feature are velcro
openings on the legs for ease of entry.
For cold water gear at Windance, click here: fullsuits,
hoods,
booties,
rashguards,
and mitts.
Cool
For temperatures like these most people want warmth as well as
comfort, while it's certainly possible to still wear a fullsuit,
the ideal is a convertible or short sleeved wetsuit. The long legs provide warmth while
the short sleeves are comfortable and provide the maximum in
versatility. Many of these suits come with removable arms to
convert the suit from long to short sleeved. Most of these suits will
be 3/2 mm. but there are some variations on this. Some of
these suits feature adjustable velcro on the sleeves and ankles
which is great for a more custom fit and ease of
entry.
For cool water gear at Windance, click here: Convertibles
Warm
When it's warm there are a variety of options. Shorty wetsuits have short legs and short sleeves, and can be
anywhere from 3/2 mm. to 1/2 mm. depending on how much warmth you
need. If it's warmer than that, many people will wear surf
shorts or bathing suits, and then add lycra
rashguards, neoprene rashguards, or neoprene
shorts.
There are a number of good options for these, that are both
fashionable and functional.
For warm water gear at Windance, click here: shorty
wetsuits, rashguards, and
shorts.
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