The Complete Wetsuit Fitting Guide by P&B
The wetsuit is your number one most important piece of clothing for sailing, surfing and a whole host of other water sports. Protecting you from the harsh water temperatures, neoprene wetsuits play a key role in your enjoyment and comfortability when engaging in water sports.
To ensure you get all the benefits from a high-quality wetsuit, you must get the right fit. A wetsuit being too tight or loose can result in the suit not having the desired temperature control you need when in the water.
At P&B, we have over 50 years of experience in our field, so we’re here to help. Our guide will take you through everything you need to know about how a wetsuit should fit. No matter your size, age or gender, we have all the information so you can make the right choice when wetsuit shopping online.
Table of contents
- How tight should a wetsuit be?
- How thick should a wetsuit be?
- What size wetsuit do I need?
- How to maintain a wetsuit
- Wetsuits at P&B
How tight should a wetsuit be?
The golden rule of wetsuit fitting is tight but comfortable. You don’t want your movement to feel restricted, as part of the wetsuit’s job is to help you reach your top aerodynamic performance. If your suit doesn’t feel tight at all, however, there may be some insulation problems.
Wetsuits regulate your temperature in the water by creating a small pocket of space between your skin and the neoprene suit. In this space, water will gather, and your natural body heat will help warm that water, keeping you at a comfortable temperature.
If your wetsuit is too loose, this will allow more water into the space than necessary, too much, and your body heat won’t be enough to regulate the water temperature. A wetsuit that’s too tight won’t let enough water in, resulting in an uncomfortable feel that may restrict your movement.
Key considerations should involve your ability to move, your chosen sport and appropriate space between your skin and the suit.
How thick should a wetsuit be?
Something that plays a major part in how comfortable you feel in your wetsuit is its thickness. Measured in mm, wetsuit thickness can determine how well you can perform at different points in the year. Despite the difference between 1-4 mm seeming small, it can have a big difference depending on what weather you’re dealing with.
Warmer weather will require a thinner suit so you don’t overheat, which impacts your comfort and, consequently, your performance. Similarly, if you wear a wetsuit that isn’t thick enough during winter, your body may be unable to properly insulate the water trapped between your skin and the suit.
Thermal base layers are also recommended when sailing or surfing during winter, so be sure to consider this when choosing your wetsuit.
For a more in-depth look, check out our guide on how thick your wetsuit should be.
What size wetsuit do I need?
At P&B, we stock a wide range of wetsuits in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes. As with lots of clothing, the size of your wetsuit will depend on your height as well as your chest and waist measurements.
We also stock wetsuits from the best and most reliable brands, including Gill, Musto and Zhik. A problem that can often come with buying wetsuits online is that every brand and manufacturer has their own guidelines and size advice, so it can be difficult to know which is right for you.
Luckily, at P&B, we’ve created a size guide that includes measurements relevant to all of our key brands so you know exactly what size to purchase. Once you’ve consulted the size guide and chosen the correct wetsuit, you can make your way to the water and enjoy yourself in comfort while achieving top performance.
How to maintain a wetsuit
A key tip of wetsuit care is to never machine wash or dry the suit, as it can impact the neoprene and the suit’s overall shape. Distorting the shape of your wetsuit can severely affect how it fits on your future wears, meaning you may end up with a suit that’s either too tight or loose.
Instead of machine washing, seek out neoprene soap/shampoo which you can find at most surfing and sailing shops and use this to clean your wetsuit. After thoroughly rinsing the suit in fresh water, add the shampoo and rinse again before squeezing any excess water.
Dry your wetsuit by turning it inside out and hanging it halfway through a regular clothes hanger. This is done to prevent stretching and future fitting issues, which hanging a wetsuit by the neck or shoulders can often cause. Keep in an area with regular airflow, but away from direct sunlight and flip the suit inside out once the outer side feels dry.
How you store your wetsuit is just as important as how you clean and dry it. If it’s a suit you plan to wear regularly, storing it in a wardrobe once properly dried will be fine. However, some precautions should be taken if it’s the last wear of a cold-weather wetsuit until the season rolls around again. Lay the suit flat if possible, or use a broad-shoulder hanger and keep it at room temperature.
For more details, including how to quickly wash a wetsuit and how to clean sailing boots, view our full care guide.
Wetsuits at P&B
Now you know how they should fit; you can browse our incredible collection of wetsuits at P&B. Available in a range of sizes from all the top brands in the industry, our selection of wetsuits includes premium materials that allow for fast drying and flexibility.
Increase your sailing and surfing potential with wetsuits that elevate your performance while helping you stay warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and comfortable all year round. With various prices available, you can find the right wetsuit, no matter your budget.
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