Cheap vs Expensive Wetsuits: 10 Things to Know 

I self assembled my first ever wetsuit in 1974 and sold dive suits as a teenager. Since then I’ve had many for waterskiing, windsurfing, diving and kitesurfing. This is the most comprehensive information that I’ve ever come across.thanks and well done.

holy crap i was not expecting how informative this would be. this video easily eliminated any hesitation on my part from purchasing a more expensive wetsuit. can't remember the last time i learned so much in a single video. so much in fact i had to take notes! thanks for sharing also i really appreciate the way she determines the usefulness of the suit is relative to it's purpose. i'm training for an ironman and will be doing my open water swimming much earlier this year due to covid. if she had stopped at the bit about back zippers being a big concern i'd likely of purchased one w/ that in mind. but she went a step further and explained the reasoning behind this choice, and as it turns out, a back zipper won't be nearly as impactful to me.

Absolutely brilliant , I have met reps that are not that informed.😂 Background: I surf in Cape Town freezing waters, so wetsuits are a big deal . Water can get down to 9 degrees in summer, maxi 14: it’s quite unique. My long search for the best suits drew me to Japan which leaves in a different league with unknown or little known manufacturers producing the very best In my view, fit is the most important of all. After having moved to custom made suits, I will never look back. I am on my third custom in 18 years Small arms and flat bum had normal suit bringing in water in, while people with broad shoulder or big belly would stretch the Néoprène so much that 4mm turns to 2mm, of course seams are stretched beyond limits reducing life span. A few additions to this video: -Limestone versus petroleum: limestone rubber aborbs very little water while petro based one’s keep sucking in the water: the longer you stay , the heavier it becomes. They do not loose heat over time (my friends tell me their top brands last 6-8 months, then desintegrate in 2 years) - thickness: I only surf in 3mm all around while standard is 4/3 or 5/3 . I have yet to be cold , I attribute this to custom shape, quality of rubber and the jersey. Japanese manufacturers normally offer two lines of suits: summer and winter. Both would offer 2mm to 3mm both ranges, 1,5 and 2 for summer; 3.5 ,4,5 and a few 6mm. Summer ranges are normally made with the most supple of rubber, while winter suits (called semi dry) sacrifice a bit of suppleness for a thick “heat-job” jersey -Wetsuits closure. Although I agree that a basic back zip let the most water in, top range Japanese back zip are again in a different league with jersey flaps being pulled over the neck and waterproof zippers, but the complexity increase prices. Personally, I prefer long chest zip. Again, high end manufacturers would offer: back zip, short chest zip or no zip, long chest zip, long shoulder zip, and finally neck in (you squeeze yourself in and fold back the neck closure). -seams issue: I think liquid seams is a fad. They crack too quickly. As for tape, there is only one place worth putting them: around the croches, it reduces flexibility everywhere else (reply from my manufacturer when I asked for full tape). -storage and maintenance: inside out first and on a HANGER, fastest way to dry. I also silicone spray every so often to glide into the suit. Those custom suits are an expensive purchase but low long term cost: First one lasted 6 years, never lost heat or flexibility, I gave it away. Second one is now 12 yo and sue for a change, the soft rubber has suffered. Third is 6 yo, as good as new. I would not keep a normal suits more than 2 years Most importantly, this is the first time I surf without EVER getting cold , it does a job that no big brand ever has unless I go 5/4 or more . I am due to order a new one, this is going to take me months to choose Select a manufacturer Select model Select jersey color combination One of the dozen of options … first world problem 😂 For the curious ones some brands Axxe classic BeWet (the super warm 2/2 looks next level) RM proud Mellow Rash Dovewet And there must be plenty others.

Ten minutes of rock solid gold quality information. I have a cheap. ebay suit that fits like a second skin. It'll do me for the early months of a south coast British winter wind surfing but all of this will be useful when looking for it's replacement.

One important thing about storing and drying: line dry by folding at the waist. Do not hang from a clothes hanger from the neck opening. It will stretch the suit and make it less fitting around the neck and shoulders. Thus allowing more flushing to happen.

As always another informative video. planning on buying a cold weather wet suit for this winter season. Thanks

Great video. I start a new 4/3 at in the winter and then as it warms I go back to the old suit for warmth and sun protection in the summer. This helps get an extra season or 2 out of my suits.

Great information, found while waiting for the end of winter storm season as I live in southwest France.

Very good information! Was looking at wetsuits earlier today for surfing in So Cal. From past experience fit is super important.

Great video. I have 10 wetsuits in the closet for surfing and diving and still found it informative and well made!

Thanks , great info! I hope to be walking in the lake into the cooler weather and will be looking for a warmer wetsuit.

This was incredibly more informative than I expected. I was thinking this would be an add for some brand. But don't think you mentioned a single brand. Thank you!

Thankyou that makes things a lot easier, very informative and no messing around straight to the point 🇬🇧

Wow, knowing nothing about this topic, that was a lot of information to process and illustrated how little I knew. Thanks so much for posting and for the multitude of important factors to consider! Well done.

Honestly. What an absolutely brilliant informative video. Wish I had seen this before I brought mine… but it’s helped me buy my new one!

What a great video. Thank you for putting this together. There are a lot of videos out there that "claim" to help you find a wetsuit but they often talk about "what type of water are you planning on surfing" or "it depends on if you'd like more flexibility or warmth" instead of talking about the damn differences between the suits themselves. This video, however, does it perfectly. I will recommend it to anyone that's new to water sports and wants to get solid information on what features to have in their next wetsuit.

Thank you for useful content. I have had trouble selecting a good suit and now have some better consideration to the process. My attempts at better brands but cheaper suits hasn't alway ended up in success.

this was an immensely informative, detailed and clear video guide. Thank you so much.

This is very educational. I did not know wetsuits loses its warmth retention abilities even if they are barely used and just stored.

Excellent details and very concise. thanks!

Thank you for the video! As a first time potential buyer, I learned a lot!

Vissla 7 Seas 4/3 chest zip, best suit I've owned without a doubt.. super flexible, no seal leaks, warm and cost efficient.

Informative and well thought out video. Even the sound is really good! Thank you for your work.

Quality content, love it. Greetings from Poland, and have a nice windy days all year long 🇵🇱 :)

Agree good informative review and validation of my own experiences with wet suits

so explicit! thanks for detailed explanation

Great video, wondering if you could also do a video regarding full body and sleeveless or knee length wetsuits vs full body ones

Well done video! My old Xcel 4/3 infinity is still going strong 7 years later. It was my first higher end wetsuit and the ability to keep water from flushing in still blows my mind...

Very precise and professional , thank you

very useful and comprehensive..thank you

I bought the o'neill with a zip on hood. This is a great option to extend the season, can be used during warmer conditions, summer months here in AB, without the hood and as the temperatures cool off in the spring and fall, the hood can be attached. I use x3 suits to cover all conditions, for coldest conditions i like the ocean rodeo soul dry suit, then the o'neill wet suit and a shortie for mid summer.

This was super helpful thanks!

I found it a good option to use a thick lycra under a 2-3 neoprene suit for chill water. It was a cold day because I really had to use a hood and gloves. I think that it helped a lot since I felt colder another day without it when the water was less cold. I will use this again.

Good summary. Thanks!

Great job thanks for explaining wetsuits so good

This was highly informative. It would be cool if you were able to bring in some data on how cheap vs expensive wetsuits perform in triathlons (specifically Ironman). I"m a short timer, but I'm still interested.

I think a really big thing missed on here is suit longevity and durability. That is honestly my biggest consideration as they will all give a relatively good level of warmth unless you're trying to surf in the hardcore winter. But as a summer surfer myself, I have had a 3/2 that was used when I got it, and has lasted ~12 years of weekend summer surfing. My brother got a 4/3, was an upper-end suit, and it was falling apart by the end of the first year. Here is the difference: my suit has the flat stitches and taped seams. His suit had the partial thickness stitching and welds. When you research this online, most people will mention that the upper end brand new suits will only last about a year. They are focused on warmth, not length. When about 50-30 years ago wetsuits would easily last about 10 years before getting destroyed. The reason is my suit has full penetration stitching going through all of the material. Every panel has a mechanical connection that is stronger than the rubber itself. Then those stitches are protected with a very robust piece of tape. This combination makes these suits incredibly hard to destroy. The upper end welded suits have a covering of rubber on them. As you use the suit, take it on and off, etc, that rubber will embrittle. It will bend, it will break. By the end of the first year little pieces of it will be sticking to you. The welds were not made to bend like when youre taking your suit off or putting it on. You'll find that because of this, companies have only now 2 lines of products usually. The really cheap suits that suck, or the really expensive suits that last only 1 year. You're extremely hard pressed to find the middle-range suit that costs between the 2 because they simply did too good and lasted too long. Company's profit margin isnt as great when their products dont have planned obsolescence built in, and its extremely frustrating.

3/2 is good for me all year in SoCal.

Very nicely done! Wish I saw it before I bought my wetsuit. Will keep it in mind for next time

Perfect timing. Buying my first westuit this week. Thanks!

Great video. 👍🏻 The biggest step forward in warmth I ever had was learning that off the shelf wetsuits can be altered to fit cheaply, and that full custom suits aren’t that expensive and are amazingly warm and allow easy movement. My 6/5 custom winter suit gives me more freedom of movement than my off the shelf 4/3 summer suit...

great Channel just found you all new to me, thank you so much ♡

Clear and helpful. Thanks

Hope you have one on pfd's and harnesses, especially fitting.

Great video!

Wow!!!! Thankyou heAps! This is super informative!!!

Great video - agree with everything. I buy mid-range 4:3's and replace them every 2nd season. My new favourite is to compliment the suit with a vest or oversized neoprene hoody. (Warm climate in Perth Western Australia) - I wear full suits for sun protection. And yes, good tight fit is essential

Great informative video! as a cave diver I have to buy a new wetsuit for kite surfing -oh my gosh. My first time with a front zip was so difficult to get on lol but I def noticed a difference in less water flushing! I also LOVE how much more flexible these 'surfer' suits are

I'd say point 4 is more important than thickness. I'd rather a 3mm suit with good seams than a 5mm with flatlock seems. Even for summer suits I'll look for at least glued and blindstiched seems as the flushing with flatlock seems will make the suit seem colder in all but the best conditions. I'd say fit, seams, thickness and flexibility in that order. Having a two year old version of a wetsuit and a new one, it may not be just the age, but an improvement in the suit itself in those two years also.

My favourite youtube channel! Thanks 🙏

THANK YOU!!! best info out there

Thanks for the video!

In my opinion the worst with a wet suit is to be clogged in it as you want to remove it quickly in cold wind (either to pee 😥either to remove it before entering your car while a heavy cold rain with big gust or some hail is starting🥶) I already have sometimes difficulties with back zip , and I must admit I never succeeded to come into a front zip at any dealer shop, so I quickly concluded that it will be far more difficult to move out, and that it was not for me. I prefer wear an additional Kway to limit the wind action. In France the sea water is very rarely under 10C , but the wind can be around 0C, so the water seems warmer than air.😊 Anyway during winter the best option for wetsuit is to ride in the (French) Caribbean’s 😎

very informative, thank You. I really needed to know how neoprene was made and what is the environmentally friendly option(limestone /Terraprene neoprene or Yulex 100%) Fossil fuel free.....you saved me

If you like traveling, there’s no way around eventually needing a wetsuit. Great advices!

I'm in 9°C water and have been using a 5/4/3 wetsuit from GUL with a back zip for £140. Very flexible and comfortable but I wish I knew all this before hand!

Wow this was an excellent video.

The most important thing is the fiting, if fits like a second skin without any spaces it is greatest thing. Another important thing and hard to find is wetsuits with buttocks pads, sitting to put bots, gloves, fins and googles, and coming out of the water really tired to undress immediately needing to sit in the rocks to relax a lit bit

I have one and it was around 60 -70 dollars and it’s held up well I’ve had it for 4 years now and In those 4 years I’ve taken it on many adventures and it still is in pretty decent condition and I agree with you on how you don’t have to spend a ton of money on an expensive wetsuit to get a good wetsuit

This was excellent and extremely informative. Not enough videos with such useful and concise information. Also, you're a total babe. You look like you have always been a swimmer and you will look perfect forever

Great, very educational

I have well over a hundred dive in 3 years with my Henderson Titanium Hyper Stretch . I used it for diving around the Philippines. It's the best wetsuit I've own thus far.

Very useful, thank you! I think I made the mistake to buy an old new wetsuit which was on special. At least it's a summer wetsuit.

And another great one 👌 👏🏻

May be you should do a video on how to treat best your wetsuit to expend it's lifespan (rincing, drying, storing ect)

billabong furnace 5 4 is perfect for the UK winter, other 5 4 makes were pretty poor so spending well paid off for me

If you go kayaking in the cold water and need wet suit. My biggest concern is chaffing. I always apply sliding cream under the armpits...

Custom tailored suits are cheaper than top end factory suits here in the UK. We have 2 very good suit makers I know of. My last 2 were custom- just dont lose/gain weight and don't expect an overnight delivery.

My fav was the salvimar fluyd be one, for relatively warm climates: completely cuts down the wind chill and UVs, it's super elastic and sticks to you well which keeps you quite warm for a 1.5 mm suit. Used mostly for snorkeling/freediving and sup though, I guess it would get destroyed fast when kitesurfing ;) My current one since I moved to a colder climate: salvimar wet drop cell, which is an open cell 5mm wetsuit. Super warm in the water, but the wind chill is not great... Using it for wing surfing and freediving, we'll see how long it lasts ;) at least it is relatively cheap as far as freediving wetsuit go...

What a awesome video! It sums up all the important facts. It‘s hard to find so many facts with such a good presentation/ video for a lot of topics.

Great information..thanks

Don't hang your wetsuit on a hanger by the shoulders! Due to gravity it will stretch the shoulders making it fit less and less well over time. Perfect timing for me as well, as my current wetsuit needs to be replaced for the winter. Thanks for the info :)

Having an attached hood seems to help with getting a thinner wetsuit. I live on the Oregon coast and I’m able to get away with a 4/3 for year round kiting and surfing... definitely need the hood though!

great job lot of info

Oneill psycho tech keeps me warm the coldest winter sessions

Great detailed analysis as always, such a good channel! Love my Mystic Majestic 3/4 front zip with wool chest and glued seams... survived Spring glacial melt in BC with it! Love the calf drain holes too... they thought of everything.

I have a scubapro wetsuit and i love it 🥰

Really great video as usual. I pretty much destroyed my flashbomb by hanging it to dry on its hanger 😓. Still got 4 excellent years out of it though and had bought it used.

I have a 6 mil diving suit from Waterproof. I use it for kayaking in colder temps. It's a super warm suit and sometimes too hot if not submerged in the water. I float like a cork in it and once it fills, which takes a long while, especially with boots and gloves sealed to it, even the coldest water I've been in feels like a hot tub! Since I got my dry suit, I prefer the lighter drysuit better. It's lighter, easier to move around in, and I can control my layers inside it. Not to mention, I look like crap in such a tight suit ha ha😂

Ps also 2 piece open.cell suits with integrated hood onnthe top, no zipper, high waist pants are way warmer. I was cold in 20C degree water with a 3mm scuba suit in mexico after 1 hour, but with 5mm open cell no zipper i am fine in 9C degrees water in the winter in ny usa

Great tips!

I would go with a four in warm water just to be sure front zipping no sewing silk design something on those lines.

Needed this. Looking at buying my first wetsuit so I can paddle board a few months later and start a few months earlier. I live in North Carolina so I'm thinking I'll go for a 3mm maybe a 4mm

I bought a cheap one 8 years ago; used it at least 9 weeks constantly for surfing and additional for other sport like diving, wakeboard etc. Its still fine, I dont think it keeps the temperature as good as expansive one. But this 50€ wetsuit is one of the best investments I‘ve done so far😅

Thanks!

Another really informative video. It might be worth talking about ankle straps at least for kitesurfing. My mystic wetsuit has them and it really avoids getting "elephant" legs.

really usefull. Thanks :)

very inside info nice

Indeed what a timing! I'm also buying my gear this week! Do you guys have an opinion on prolimit's wetsuits?

Great advice. 👍 I still don't get why front zip wetsuits are more expensive. They don't seem any more difficult to make.

Doesn't matter which wetsuit you get, within 10-15 sessions it will start letting water in and after a few months of regular use (few times per week) you might rip a seam. Talk to the dealership and get a wetsuit from a brand that respects warranty claims so you can swap it in easily for a new one.

That was awesome.

Great presentation, lovely plant. Wish you covered what is suggested for ontario + great lakes region specifically for kiteboarding (what else). I find the range of suites available (sizes, colour options and brands) at surfing hot spots to be much greater than at the usual outlets around the GTA. I've used a hooded 654 on lake Erie in January and it works just fine for a 2 hr sesh - at this point gloves and booties are the most critical components! Otherwise I prefer to wear a 3-2, which I will do through the winter in southern Europe, VS, a 3-2 in the middle of the summer on a solid N wind on Huron will give you chills after a 4 hour session. While in europe I have to rinse the suit and dry every single time in the bathtub or the salt will destroy it in one season! Anyone ever buy a wetsuit online (without trying it)??

Thanks! I bought a cheap Ion wetsuit that blew out in the back after half a dozen sessions. Nothing like having ice cold water poured down your back during a winter session with a relatively new wetsuit. ☹️ I wish I had this video before buying my suit.

This is good !!!

Thanks 👍

Such a great video. Thanks for this. Amazing to share with new students.

Thank you

Great video thank you. I need your opinion in something if you don't mind. I want to buy O'Neill HYPERFREAK 2MM CHEST ZIP SPRING WETSUIT. My use is swimming in water temperatures 16-18. What do you think? Is it a good choice?

Great video! What do you think about using a sailing wetsuit for kitesurf or windsurf?