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If you are buying a cheap wetsuit it is important that you think about some factors before you make a purchase. When buying a wetsuit the factor that is more important than any other is the fit! A wetsuit should allow a small amount of water into the suit which is warmed by the body and provides a layer of insulation. A wetsuit that is too big will allow too much cold water to enter and a too small wetsuit will be uncomfortable to move in. Check the fit at the wrist and ankles and the neck to ensure there are no gaps for water to enter. A wetsuit that is too big will allow your skin to move freely and saltwater and sand getting between your skin and the suit will cause rashes and be uncomfortable to wear. A well fitting suit will move and stretch with you.
Other areas to look at include performance, warmth, durability and comfort.
For good performance you will need a wetsuit that offers little resistance and stretches with you. When surfing or paddling or for radical movements you need the least resistance. Good performance is very much dependent on the price of the wetsuit.
The type of material used in the wetsuit will affect the durability. High performance suits using superstretch materials will be less durable than those made from the cheaper neoprene material. The more expensive the suit, with correspondingly better performance the less durable it tends to be. Wetsuits tend to wear most at the knees so if you are purchasing a used suit look at the knee area carefully.
The thicker the neoprene used in the wetsuit the warmer it should be. It will be a balance between performance and comfort so choose a wetsuit that fits your particular needs. Winter wetsuits have neoprene from between 3mm to 5mm (occasionally 6mm), summer wetsuit between 2mm and 3mm. Linings can also affect the warmth. Mesh, coated or single lined neoprene will be warmer and help to reduce any wind chill but these will again compromise performance. Again it’s a balance between comfort and performance so choose a wetsuit suitable for your particular needs.
All these factors contribute to the comfort of the wetsuit. A wetsuit that is stretchy will feel comfortable and be less restrictive when moving but will be ultimately less durable. A less stretchy more insulated suit will be warmer but more restrictive when moving.
Overall you will need to decide whether comfort is more important than performance and buy your wetsuit accordingly.
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