How to Choose the Right Neoprene Wetsuit?
→ Choosing the right neoprene wetsuit
Whether you're planning a surf session, a dinghy outing or a coastal lunging outing, your choice of wetsuit will be based on a single issue: keeping your body at the right temperature.
Don't take the hottest possible neoprene suit , as this will lead to overheating, which can be far more problematic. Note that a is not waterproof. It lets through a little water which warms up on contact with your skin, keeping your body at temperature.
The most common types of neoprene wetsuit are drysuits, men's or women's full wetsuits, classic wetsuits, long john, overknee and women's neoprene shorty or men's neoprene shorty.
→ Which neoprene wetsuit for which water temperature?
The choice of a or men's neoprene suit depends on water temperature, local weather conditions and your nautical activity. Depending on the season and the type of activity, you'll opt for a thicker or thinner model, dry or semi-dry, in neoprene jersey (flexible and resistant, but little protection against the wind) or mesh (protects well against the wind, but more fragile).
The best neoprene suits combine these two materials: flexibility in sensitive areas (legs, arms) and heat retention in the torso/back.
Depending on your activity on the water :
➡️ Surf / Dinghy / Paddle
Choose a thin at the ends to facilitate movement.
➡️ Kayak / Stand Up Paddle
Go for a for greater paddling freedom.
➡️ Diving
Choose a thick, uniform neoprene wetsuit, as the body cools down faster underwater and physical exertion is lower. Neoprene also protects against impact and UV rays, and improves buoyancy.
Choose a well-fitting neoprene wetsuit . It should be tight when dry, as neoprene softens when wet. Avoid creases that let water in and cause irritation and heat loss.
→ What thickness of neoprene wetsuit should I choose?
Choosing the thickness of a neoprene wetsuit depends mainly on the water temperature and your sensitivity to cold.
Thicknesses are indicated in mm as two or three numbers (e. g. 5/4/3 mm), corresponding to different body zones (torso, arms, legs). The thicker the neoprene suit, the better the thermal insulation.
In cold water (e. g. Brittany), neoprene wetsuits are best suited while a may suffice in the south of France, sometimes complemented by a warm top.
Modern neoprene wetsuits, even thick ones, remain soft and comfortable. In very cold weather, a dry, waterproof wetsuit worn with technical clothing may be a good alternative. In summer, a shorty suit may suffice, but a full wetsuit is necessary for cooler waters.
How do I maintain my neoprene wetsuit?
To prolong its life, a neoprene wetsuit needs to be cared for. Never dry your wetsuit in the sun, as UV rays accelerate wear.
After that, only two products are needed: disinfectant and neoprene glue.
Washing your neoprene wetsuit with disinfectant cleans it after exercise, and neoprene glue repairs small nicks that may appear over time.
→ Shorty wetsuits: comfort, protection and performance
Men's neoprene shorty is the ideal equipment for water sports enthusiasts like sailing or surfing.
Lightweight, comfortable and offering good thermal insulation, they allow you to extend your sessions on the water, even when the temperature drops. Available in short or long sleeves, it ensures great freedom of movement and effective protection against the elements.
Made from high-quality neoprene , it retains body heat and remains waterproof. Nautisports offers a wide range of shorty suits for all water sports, combining performance and comfort.
→ Choosing the right neoprene pants and shorts
Choosing the right neoprene pants or shorts for dinghy sailing is essential for combining comfort, protection and performance.
The choice depends on temperature (shorts for hot weather, pants for cold weather), material ( neoprene provides better protection against cold water splashes), and reinforcements (on hips, buttocks, knees, shins) for greater comfort and safety.
Good freedom of movement is also important. Nautisports. com offers a selection of technical neoprene pants and shorts to meet these needs.
→ Neoprene tops: maintain your freedom of movement
Neoprene, which first appeared in the 1930s, has become indispensable in water sports for its ability to protect against the cold, improve buoyancy and retain good freedom of movement.
Neoprene tops are particularly useful for keeping warm during long dives. To choose the right top, you need to take weather conditions into account: in cold water, opt for a thick, long-sleeved model; in summer, a 2 mm short-sleeved top is sufficient.
Thickness is often indicated by two numbers: one for the bust, the other for the arms.
→ Neoprene wetsuits: quality above all else
The price differences you'll notice come directly from the type of neoprene on offer. We advise you to choose super stretch for a supple, comfortable product. Entry-level neoprene tends to irritate and wrinkle.
➡️ Cover your head in extreme cold!
In extreme cold, the body loses over 30% of its heat through the head. One trick to keeping your body at temperature is to cover your head. There are several ways of doing this. The most effective are the or the neoprene cap.
➡️ Complementary accessories
To complete your neoprene outfit, accessories such as or neoprene booties or are essential for water sports in cold weather. Reinforced short gloves protect during maneuvers, while closed gloves retain heat better in icy water.
Neoprene booties cover the malleolus, while ankle boots rise above the ankle, with Velcro or fastenings for ease of use. It's important to choose fitted models for optimum comfort and protection.
➡️ Consider the dry-suit alternative
If you're dinghy sailing or kitesurfing in very cold weather, it's always worth considering the alternative of a in some cases. Unlike neoprene wetsuits, dry suits are waterproof, so they don't let water get inside. They are often worn with an under-layer to provide better insulation against the cold.
As we saw earlier, the body cools much faster when it's wet, which makes dry suits a great ally in the fight against the cold.
→ Neoprene wetsuits: take the plunge with Nautisports!
You'll need to choose your neoprene wetsuit according to two main criteria: water temperature and the activity you're doing. Please refer to the table above.
Among the practical tips we can give you, the first is to choose a tight-fitting wetsuit, which will loosen up when wet. Then, don't hesitate to supplement your protection with equipment such as gloves or booties.
If you still feel the cold, wear a cap, balaclava or even a hood, as over 30% of your body's heat loss is through the head. If you're dinghy sailing or kite-surfing in very low temperatures, don't forget about dry suits, which can meet your needs.
Whether you need or integral combination see , or accessories such as neoprene socks or neoprene gloves, you'll find what you're looking for at Nautisports!
