Best wetsuits for swimming in cold water by temperature range.
| Wetsuit. | Cold Water Temperature Range. | Zipper. |
|---|---|---|
| Blueseventy Fusion Wetsuit | 50°-80°F/ 10°-26°C | Sealed |
| Synergy Triathlon Open Water Wetsuit | 50°-80°F/ 10°-26°C. | Sealed |
| TYR Hurricane Cat 1 Wetsuit | 50°-80°F/ 10°-26°C. | Sealed |
| Orca RS1 Openwater Wetsuit | 60°-80°F/ 15°-26°C | Sealed |
In this post
What gear do I need for cold water swimming?
Though socks and gloves should probably be at the bottom of your cold-water gear list, well behind earplugs, neoprene cap, and thermal wetsuit, for those super cold and long swims—think Norseman or Alaskaman—they’re good to have.
Can you wear a wetsuit for cold water swimming?
Most swimmers will need a wetsuit to be able to swim for even a short period of time, as well as gloves or a neoprene hat to help warm their extremities. Very cold water. Sub 5 degrees is counted as ice swimming. Much shorter swim times are advised, keeping to less than 10-minute dips and only if you are acclimatised.
What kind of wetsuit is best for swimming?
What is the best wetsuit for open-water swimming?
- Best overall wetsuit: Orca Openwater Core Hi-Vis Wetsuit.
- Best wetsuit for flexibility: Zone3 Azure Women’s Wetsuit.
- Best wetsuit for strong swimmers: Orca Openwater Core TRN.
- Best wetsuit for triathlon: DHB Hydron Wetsuit 2.0.
What can I wear instead of a wetsuit?
A thermocline suit is a great alternative to a wetsuit, particularly if you are allergic to neoprene. You can wear it by itself or underneath your existing wetsuit to protect against chafing. By default, it is designed with a full range of motion, so suitable for all water sports.
How do you dress in cold water?
A dry suit is for colder water (and air). Made of a waterproof material, it also has watertight gaskets at the openings to keep you completely dry. You adjust warmth by wearing long underwear or another insulating layer under it. For hot air but cold water, you’ll still need a wetsuit.
What thickness wetsuit do I need for swimming?
between 3mm and 5mm
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.
Do wetsuits keep you warm in cold water?
In short, yes, wetsuits do keep you warm. But they won’t completely protect you from hypothermia or from the chills.
How thick should a winter wetsuit be?
5/4 mm
The most common thickness for a winter wetsuit is 5/4 mm, also called a 5.4 or 5 mm. It is slightly warmer than a 5/3 mm due to the extra millimetre thickness in the arms. The main body panels and upper legs are 5mm in thickness, while the arms, shoulders and back of the lower legs are made with 4mm panels.
How do I choose a cold water wetsuit?
Check out these four key things you need to know:
- Thickness. The thickness of the neoprene is one of the most important factors when considering a wetsuit as it helps your body maintain heat in cold water to prevent hypothermia.
- Buoyancy.
- Flexibility.
- Material.
How do I find the perfect wetsuit?
A wetsuit should fit like a second skin with no sagging in the back or excessive bunching in the arms or legs. It should fit tight in order to keep only a thin layer of water between your body and your suit.
What is better a dry suit or a wetsuit?
In most cold water conditions a wetsuit is more favorable for performance in the water, while drysuits are more favorable out of the water.
Is it hard to swim in a wetsuit?
It’s almost impossible to swim breaststroke in a wetsuit, because your legs leave the water and the extra buoyancy bends your spine. This is especially true if you have your own buoyancy and insulation in the form of body fat – something outdoor swimmers fondly know as ‘bioprene’.
How tight should a new wetsuit feel?
How Should a Wetsuit Fit? In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves (if full-length) should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene.
How can I swim in cold water without a wetsuit?
Start small and take it slow.
Get used to the feeling of shorter swimming sessions to learn how your body reacts to cold water. Incrementally lengthen your time in cold water with subsequent swimming sessions over a period of weeks or months to build up your acclimation to the cold and tolerance for its effects.
How do you prepare for swimming in cold water?
The best way to acclimatise to colder water is to swim, reducing your times in the water as temperatures drop. Get into the water gently to avoid cold water shock, splashing yourself with water and ensuring your breathing is relaxed before submerging.
When should you not wear a wetsuit?
USAT’s Rule on Wetsuits and Water Temperatures
78 – 84 degrees: Race directors use their judgment to allow or not allow wetsuits at this range. Usually not eligible for awards at this temperature.
How long can you swim in cold water in a wetsuit?
Don’t stay in cold water (under about 15 degrees) for longer than 45 minutes until you are quite experienced.
Is 5mm wetsuit too thick for swimming?
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 it OK to pee in a wetsuit?
Peeing in Wetsuits Can Damage Their Fabric: TRUE
Human urine is 90-95% water. The rest are compounds like urea, chloride, sodium, potassium, creatinine, inorganic sulfur, and others. This means that it is slightly acidic and its pH ranges from 5.5 to 7. In other words, urine is corrosive.
Do you get wet under a wetsuit?
Wetsuits are made of a kind of rubber called neoprene. The suit traps a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the wearer’s skin. So, the wearer is always wet—that’s why it’s called a wetsuit. Body heat warms the layer of trapped water and helps keep the wearer warm.