Wetsuit Guide by 654

How to choose a wetsuite

Start by thinking about where and when you are going to surf. The weather conditions and water temperature are crucial when figuring out what level of thickness is required. In Sweden it is usually very windy when the surf is good which ultimately affects the temperature. It also depends on personal preferences, if you know in advance you get cold easily, it might be a good idea to choose a thicker wetsuit than recommended. Your own budget is also something to consider. A wetsuit is an investment and only you can decide how to weigh quality against price and vice versa.

Which thickness at what temperature?

As with most things’ wetsuit related, this is a question without a clear answer. It all comes down to personal preferences really and what you feel the most comfortable with. A wetsuit that feels right for someone might be completely wrong for somebody else. Do you sweat easily or get cold very fast? Are you surfing in a stormy sea and move around a lot or are you chilling on a flat ocean waiting for the next set to come? The need for a thicker or thinner wetsuit is different and only you know what you need.

 Both Xcel and Patagonia have their own recommendations as to which thickness is best at what temperature and might give you an indication in which direction you should go. These recommendations should however be regarded as guidelines. Too many external factors, such as wind, weather, fitness level, body movement and so on, makes a difference as to what you need.

6mm - 0-8°c
5mm - 6-12°c
4mm - 10-16
3mm - 15-20
2mm - 18-24

Wetsuit Care

A wetsuit is an investment and should be regarded as such to maintain its quality for a longer time. Always rinse your wetsuit inwards and outwards after every use and hang it to dry inside out. Never leave a wet wetsuit laying around to avoid mold and let it dry in a dry indoor environment or outside in the shadow. Don’t dry your wetsuit in direct sunlight, it will ruin the fabric and the wetsuit material. Be gentle with your wetsuit when putting it on and taking it off. Make sure your nails are clipped as to not rip the fabric while putting it on and avoid peeing in your wetsuit.

TDC Smart fiber technology

During movement, like paddling in the water and quick pop-ups, the blood flow increases. The muscles are awakened and blood pumps through the body to bring oxygen to the muscles being used. During this process heath spreads through the body, this is what makes us sweat and turn us red during exercise. TDC smartfiber technology makes use of the fact the body heats up naturally when the blood flow increases and utilize the already existing heat so you can keep surfing for a longer time.

Final Advice

Hopefully you’ve learned something from reading this wetsuit guide, alternatively we’ve only made you even more confused. There is a vast amount of information on the internet about how to choose a wetsuit and a lot of schools offering different advice. Our top advice is to come to one of our stores and try a few different models on and ask our knowledgeable staff for help. As an extra bonus we would like to offer you some of our more unorthodox advice on how to improve your surfing experience.

Surf hacks

•  Keep warm for a longer period by using long underwear in merino wool underneath the wetsuit. Merino wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet.
• Keep a bathing cap underneath your wetsuit hoots to avoid brain freeze.
• Pour some hot water into the wetsuit boots and gloves before jumping into the water. This is a good warm up for your fingers and toes and keeps some of the most exposed parts of the body warm for a longer time.
• Put a plastic bag above your hands and feet to make slipping into the wetsuits small openings easier when putting it on.
• Never try wetsuits wearing jewelry, especially big earrings. These easily get stuck when putting wetsuits with a chest-zip above your head.