The Ultimate Wetsuit Guide

We have been fitting wetsuits on the Cornish coast for years, and we stock O'Neill, Quiksilver, Roxy, Rip Curl, Gul, C-Skins, Alder and Billabong. Whatever you surf, swim or paddle, we have you covered.

1. Choosing your first wetsuit

Start with four honest questions.

• How long do you want to stay in the water?
• How well do you handle the cold?
• What time of year will you be surfing?
• How many times a year will you actually go?

It sounds obvious, but the more you spend the warmer and more flexible the suit becomes. Feel the cold? Stretch to a £100–£200 suit. Once-a-summer swimmer? An entry level £30–£70 suit is absolutely fine.

Zip placement. Chest zips are increasingly popular: nothing stiffens the back panel, they're comfy, and they flush less water. A good back zip can more than match them though, and back zips are easier to get into if your movement is limited. Mostly, it's preference.

2. How should my wetsuit fit?

A correct fit is the single biggest factor in enjoying your time in the water. Too loose and water flushes straight through; too tight and you'll look and feel like a raspberry.

3. Is my wetsuit too tight?

The neck seal takes getting used to — it's meant to be reasonably tight to stop flushing. A brand new suit gives a little and feels much better after a couple of uses.

4. What wetsuit size am I?

We have an individual size guide for every brand and model. If you're between sizes, go up. Any doubts, call one of our experts.

5. What wetsuit size is my child?

Kids grow fast, so it's a balance between a good fit now and a suit that lasts. Most kids' suits are sized by age, which is a decent starting point — but always check the chart on the product page.

6. Trying on your first wetsuit

Coming into one of our stores? Be prepared to try a few on. It's hard work, but worth it — most people stick with the same brand and size for years afterwards.

• Struggling? Plastic bags over your feet help your legs slide in.
• Avoid Vaseline and other lubricants — they can damage the neoprene.
• It gets easier every single time. We promise.

7. What do I wear underneath?

Completely up to you. Plenty of people go in their birthday suit; any swimwear works fine. One exception: if your suit has a thermal lining, skip the rash vest — it holds the lining off your skin and reduces performance.

8. Putting on a back zip wetsuit

1. Take off anything sharp — rings, watches, jewellery.
2. Zip goes at the back. Fold the top half of the suit down to reveal the two leg holes.
3. Point your toes and pull the suit over foot and ankle, working it up over the knee. One leg at a time, up to thigh level.
4. Pull up to the waist using the sides of the suit, never the front or back panels. Smooth out creases and centre the knee pads on your own knees.
5. Work it up your torso and insert one arm at a time, straightening creases over each shoulder. No neoprene should be bunched anywhere.
6. Hold the bottom of the zip with one hand, pull the zip string up with the other, then fasten the Velcro neck tab. A buddy makes this easier.

9. Putting on a chest zip wetsuit

1. Take off anything sharp — rings, watches, jewellery.
2. Zip goes at the front. Fold the top half of the suit down to reveal the two leg holes.
3. Point your toes and pull the suit over foot and ankle, up over the knee. One leg at a time, up to thigh level.
4. Pull up to the waist using the sides. Smooth out creases and centre the knee pads.
5. Work it up your torso, one arm at a time — left arm first is often easier, pushing any excess neoprene to the shoulder.
6. Straighten the folds around the neck, bring the neck panel hanging at the back over your head, and zip it up.

10. Taking your wetsuit off

Taking it off correctly matters just as much for the life of the suit. Peel it off gently — done right, it should end up inside out.

• Always pull on the sides; the single line neoprene front and back panels are vulnerable.
• Try not to stand on the suit to pull your feet out.
• Use a wetsuit mat or changing bucket to keep it off the rocks and out of the grit.

11. Looking after your wetsuit

Wetsuits don't last forever — but good care dramatically extends the life of yours.

1. Rinse it in cold water after every single use.
2. Never dry it in direct sunlight.
3. Storing it for a while? Don't leave it on a hanger — roll it up and keep it somewhere dry.
4. If it smells like wee, use a proper wetsuit cleaner. No household chemicals, and absolutely never the washing machine.

12. How do wetsuits actually work?

Your suit is built from panels of neoprene, a rubbery compound that insulates you from the cold water outside.

Heat does eventually escape through the neoprene, but just like clothing: thicker neoprene, warmer you. Today's suits are also far more flexible than the restrictive suits of yesteryear.

13. Real wetsuits vs supermarket wetsuits

"There are lots of cheap wetsuits in supermarkets these days, but if your children are getting into their watersports, you may want to dig a little deeper. In all cases, try before you buy."

— RNLI Magazine

We'd steer you away from supermarket suits. A wetsuit is a technical piece of kit designed to keep you warm through long days in the ocean — and the quality and durability just aren't there.

14. Wetsuit jargon buster

15. Wetsuit warranty

We check every wetsuit thoroughly before it's sent out. Warranties cover most legitimate faults, but not normal wear and tear — and nail damage to single line neoprene is easily repairable but isn't covered.