Best Wetsuit for Open Water Swimming

A wetsuit is a piece of equipment that is worn by surfers, canoeists, divers, windsurfers, and other athletes engaged in water sports and other activities in or on water, and it is used to provide thermal protection while the athlete is wet. A wetsuit is usually made of foamed neoprene. The wet suit’s purpose is to provide thermal insulation and protection from ultraviolet exposure, abrasion, and stings from marine organisms.

Is A Swimming Wetsuit Different Than A Regular Wet Suit?

Unlike regular wetsuits, often used for surfing, wetsuits designed for wild triathlons and swimming are more flexible around the hips, knees, and shoulders and stretchier overall. They are made that way to allow the swimmer to move more freely while still providing them with the needed protection that a swimsuit is made for. Swimming wetsuits are also more buoyant, which will help the swimmer maintain the best body position in the water, allowing them to swim more efficiently. 

Can You Swim In A Regular Wetsuit?

While you can swim in a standard wetsuit, it will not be as comfortable and nowhere near as efficient as swimming in a swimming wet suit. Regular wetsuits are made from a different, much thicker type of neoprene. This means that you technically can swim in a standard wet suit, but you definitely should not because it is simply uncomfortable and inefficient, and not optimal. 

Wetsuits designed for open-water swimming, triathlons, and other water-based sports also feature an SCS (Super Composite Skin) coating, a smooth layer of coating that helps you to be more streamlined in the water. Choosing an open-water-specific swimming wetsuit will make swimming easier and much more efficient. Still, it will also ensure you stay protected from natural elements and don’t get overheated. 

How Does A Swimming Wetsuit Work?

Your wetsuit must be tight-fitting since your wetsuit’s main job is to act as your second skin and protect your actual skin. When you submerge yourself in the body of water outside, a thin layer of water gets trapped between your skin and the wetsuit.

This thin layer of water is quickly warmed by your body’s temperature, creating an insulating barrier between you and cold water and cold wind outside. This layer is what keeps you warm and keeps you safe from the cold. However, be warned: an unpleasant sensation known as flushing happens when the cold water rushes into any baggy or roomy patches in the wetsuit, so pick the fit carefully.  

What should I look for in a wetsuit?

The perfect kind of wetsuit will depend hugely on the kind of activity you want to do in it. However, there are some common key factors to consider when you are trying to choose a wetsuit that is going to fit you right and fit your needs, and they include: 

1. Look for enough flexibility.

Your wetsuit should be tight-fitting, but it should not be tight! If you want to swim in open water, your wetsuit should have plenty of stretch around the shoulders, knees, and hips to allow enough space to move while still being very right and close to your skin. There is a very simple test to check if a wetsuit is flexible enough: if you cannot raise your arm past your ear, you cannot swim front crawl in that wetsuit.

2. Find the right fit.

The wetsuit’s only job is to fit snugly, like a second skin, and if it doesn’t, it simply is not the right fit for you. Loose areas around the joints are going to be the biggest issue that you should avoid at all costs since they can cause the before-mentioned flushing. Many people fall into the trap of buying a wetsuit in size M just because they wear jeans in size M.

Once the suit arrives, they realize that it is two or even three sizes too small and that there is no way to fit it above your knees, let alone move comfortably in it. When buying swimming wetsuits, make sure to forget all about the size markings and go by the sizing chart alone. 

3. Get familiar with thickness options. 

Wetsuits come in varying thicknesses, which are meant to be used in different seasons depending on the weather and depending on temperature. The variations are usually displayed as two numbers separated by a colon or a slash. For example, let’s take a look at the wetsuit marked 3:2.

The first number represents the thickness of the upper part of the suit (in millimeters), and the second represents the thickness of the limbs (also in millimeters). The arms and legs tend to be a bit thinner to allow you to move your limbs around and move through the water.

4. Buoyancy is important too!

Wetsuits will provide extra buoyancy thanks to the fact that they are made of neoprene. Some of the suits also have added pads on hips and legs that will lift your lower body in the water, which places you in a better position for a front crawl. Again, this is perfect for beginners. 

Stronger, more experienced swimmers might find that these panels lift up their legs way too high. Professional athletes are likely to prefer neutral buoyancy, which allows the legs to rise and fall in the water more naturally. 

What thickness wetsuit is best for swimming?

It depends on the occasion, but it also majorly depends on your location and on the temperature of the water you are going to be swimming in! If you are swimming in the summer waters, 3mm will do the job perfectly without making you feel too got. Getting a 4mm suit will be perfect during the fall and spring when it’s a bit chilly but too cold, and 5mm is the perfect option for those colder winter days. 

Best Wetsuit for Open Water Swimming – Recommendations 

We have now learned everything about what swimming wetsuits are, and what the features that characterize good swimming wetsuits are. We have also learned how to pick the perfect wetsuit. Now, let’s go over some of the best recommendations that will make shopping and choosing much easier. 

1. Synergy Triathlon Wetsuit 3/2mm

Synergy Triathlon Wetsuit is an amazing and professional-approved wetsuit that many athletes use for Ironman, a serious triathlon. This wetsuit comes in a wide range of sizes to ensure a perfect fit for everyone, and it is very stretchy once it has been put on – it feels like a second skin. The wetsuit is made of hydrodynamic neoprene with silicone-coated SyPrene, and it features a 3mm thick core buoyancy panel, while the lower legs and back are 2mm thick.  

Synergy Triathlon Wetsuit provides the swimmer with the full range of motion, which allows comfortable swimming without the feeling that something is pulling you or restricting your movement. It also features the highest grade anti-corrode internal wetsuit zipper, which is going to reduce drag as the swimmer moves through the water and moves his limbs in all directions. 

FEATURES:

• Powermax Forearm Panel       
• Anti-chafing neck 
• YKK Zipper        
• SCS Nano Coating        
• Quick-release ankle panels       
• Syprene Neoprene 

PROS: 

• Lightweight and silky smooth interior
• Flexible every which way
• Comes in a variety of sizes to ensure that every swimmer finds their perfect fit 

CONS: 

• The neckline can be a bit tight, and it can put some pressure on the area, which can be uncomfortable in the beginning. 
• Extra effort is required to adjust for sighting.
• Not buoyant enough to aid the inexperienced swimmer
• The sizing does not find standard clothing sizing, which is why it is essential to follow the measurement chart when picking your size.

2. SUMARPO Triathlon Wetsuit 4/2mm

SUMARPO Triathlon Wetsuit 4/2mm features a double-layer Yamamoto SCS 40 low collar design that will provide extra comfort and make the suit much easier to put on and take off. This type of collar minimizes skin friction and makes sure that hardly any water enters your wetsuit. In addition, the shoulders and arms of the SUMARPO Triathlon Wetsuit 4/2mm have a super stretch liner to allow you to move more freely and move your limbs in any direction without any issues. 

SUMARPO Triathlon Wetsuit has a buoyancy ratio to improve hydrodynamics in the water and optimize body position. 

FEATURES:

• Eco-based & Safety materials
• Honeycomb-shaped air cells in the chest
• 580% flexible SQ flex inner lining
• Quick-release ankle panels
• Engineered groove shape paddles
• Low modular tech
• Stable Trinity Support System
• Double-layer collar

PROS: 

• Flexible for movements in every direction
• Comes in a variety of sizes to ensure that every swimmer finds their perfect fit 
• Very tight fitting to help avoid flushing 
• Lightweight and silky smooth interior
• Easy to take off and put on

CONS: 

• Extra effort is required to adjust for sighting.
• Not buoyant enough to aid the inexperienced swimmer
• The sizing does not find standard clothing sizing, which is why it is essential to follow the measurement chart when picking your size.

3. Men’s Synergy Adrenaline Triathlon Wetsuit

Another great product from synergy, the Adrenaline triathlon suit is the perfect option for those looking for unrestricted movement while still being protected in the open waters. 

FEATURES: 

• Powermax Forearm Panel
• Anti-Chafing Neck
• YKK Zipper
• SCS Nano Coating
• Quick Release Ankle Panels
• Yamamoto #39 Neoprene   

PROS: 

• Lightweight and silky smooth interior
• Flexible every which way
• Easy to put on and take off
• Comes in a variety of sizes to ensure that every swimmer finds their perfect fit 
• Does not restrict hand movement

CONS: 

• The neckline can be a bit tight, and it can put some pressure on the area, which can be uncomfortable in the beginning 
• Extra effort is required to adjust for sighting
• Not buoyant enough to aid the inexperienced swimmer
• The sizing does not find standard clothing sizing, which is why it is essential to follow the measurement chart when picking your size

FAQ SECTION

Picking the perfect wet suit can be hard, especially if this is your first time making such a choice and purchase. To help you out, I have answered some of the most commonly asked questions, answered. 

Q: What type of wetsuit is best for open-water swimming?

For the majority of amateur competitors, 3:5 wetsuits are going to be the most optimal option. The type “3:5” means that the wetsuit is 3mm thick on the upper part of the body and 5mm on the lower part of the body.

Q: Can I wear a normal wetsuit for open-water swimming?

There is no wetsuit policy – you are free to wear whatever wetsuit you pick, and no one will stop you. However, is swimming in a regular wetsuit an optimal and comfortable choice? No, it is not; you are guaranteed to feel less comfortable, and your swim is guaranteed to be less effective.

Also Read: Best Swimwear Brands UK

Q: Is a 5mm wetsuit too thick for swimming?

A 5mm wetsuit will be fine for winter activities in most locations, especially when coupled with a hood and boots gloves.

Q: Is it better to size up or down in wetsuits?

Your wetsuit should be tight fitting, but it should not restrict your range of motion or cut off your circulation. Your swimming wetsuit should fit similarly to compression shorts or shapewear; it should apply some pressure and fit snugly, but wearing it should not ruin your day. Having such a tight-fitting garment on can feel a little weird at first, but it keeps you warm and buoyant. And you will get used to it pretty quickly.

Q: What color is best for a wetsuit?

Generally speaking, the majority of people are going to choose black swimming wetsuits as their first option. Mostly because that is a very popular choice and because it looks good, but also because most swimming wetsuits are available in the black range, with some colorful elements added. 

Q: Do black wetsuits attract sharks?

Sharks see contrasting colors, which means that anything very bright against the skin can look like a bait fish to a shark. For this reason, many experts often suggest that swimmers avoid wearing yellow and white colors while black is good to go.