Wetsuits come in various forms, despite the fact that they are all designed to do the same thing. Neoprene is a fabric which helps insulate the temperature of your body against the temperature of the water. Wetsuits are not designed to keep you perfectly dry in the water, although a good fitting one can find you mostly dry at the end of a session.

Wetsuits are not made to keep all of the water out. As water builds inside the suit, it warms up and increases skin temperature. It also improves buoyancy and provides protection from things like stinging nettles.

Each water sport has its own requirements and therefore will not be appropriate for all suits. While surfing suits can often be interchangeable with windsurfing and kiteboarding, the different movements required for each sport will require different flexibility for each activity. It is vital that you choose the appropriate suit for the sport as well as for your body type and skill level.

Some northern climates will require a shorty even in the middle of summer. Some southern regions will require only a short or a “John” or “Jane” in the middle of winter. Each suit comes with its own weight to help you determine which suit will keep you the most comfortable the longest.

Full suits are very popular, as they come in various weights to help you choose the right one for you. It provides your entire body with coverage and can be used with hoods. If you need extra protection you can use gloves and booties to add to the set up. The thicker, or heavier, the wetsuit is the more protection from cold you will receive.

For lighter protection a shorty often offers the best summer time protection. The core stays covered and well protected while the legs and arms remain free for movement and to resist overheating. A three quarter sleeve can be found on a shorty, and your tolerance for restriction will determine whether this is a good choice for you.

The long legged but sleeveless options are referred to as “Johns” or “Janes.” These suits are good for many different sports, but most people find them to be a great spring or fall suit. Their sleeveless design allows you to choose between going free and using a secondary wetsuit “shirt” to start your day. You can remove the secondary covering as the day warms up.

Wetsuits come in different weights, with each weight providing more protection. A skinsuit, which isn’t really a wetsuit, is the lightest form you can buy. It’s not meant for heavy duty protection. The weight of a wetsuit is measured in millimeters. Thus, a 3 to 5 mm suit may be good for early fall protection in temperate climates but isn’t likely to provide ample protection for winter conditions. Buying the right suit is imperative. Cold water and cold air can cause hypothermia, which can lead to death in a short period of time. Playing in the water in cold temperatures with an ill fitted or ill protective suit can end up being dangerous.

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