What wetsuits info do I need before I buy a wetsuit?

So you want to buy a wetsuit and you know nothing about them? You have come to the right place and I hope you can find your answers here. What kind of wetsuit information, what knowledge is necessary to buy a wetsuit?

Well, it can be quite simple, just go into the shop that sells wetsuits and ask the guy who sells them what does he recomend. You will be probably just fine. On the other hand... if you like to do some online research and learn a few things about the stuff you buy then read on.

Before you buy a wetsuit ask yourself the following:

1. Why do I need a wetsuit?
2. Where and when will I use it?
3. How often will I use it and
4. How much money do I want to spend on the wetsuit?

Why do I need a wetsuit?

To keep you warm of course :). Wetsuit traps a thin layer of water between your body and the neoprene and your body heat warms this water and you are warm. But this is not what we are talking about. You might need a wetsuit for diving, maybe for surfing, windsurfing, rafting, kitesurfing, triathlon, swimming? Each one of these sports needs a slightly different wetsuit and your sport will determine the type of wetsuit you need. If you need a diving wetsuit go into the diving store. Not a surfshop. Surfing wetsuits are great but they are made for surfing, not diving.

OK, now for the next thing...

Where and when will I use the wetsuit?

If you will only go into the water in summer when it's hot and the water is warm, maybe you don't even need a wetsuit :)! Or you probably need a shortie or a really thin wetsuit. If you want to use it in winter you need a thick one and probably also wetsuit boots, gloves and a hood. If you will travel then check what is the water temeprature there. There are places where eneven when it's really hot outside the water is cold. So: check the water temperature of the place where you will mostly use your wetsuit and reat the time when you will be in the water. For instance I need a wetsuit for surfing in summer in San Diego where the water temps at that time are around 66F.

How often will you use a wetsuit and how much money are you willing to spend?

These two are connected. If money is not a problem then get the best wetsuit you can. Top of the line wetsuits are the warmest, most comfortable, most flexible, the softest...etc. If you don't have a lot of money that ask yourself how often will you use a wetsuit. If you will use it all the time then it is still nice to invest a bit more money and get a quality wetsuit. If you are only going to use it here and there, once in a while then just get a regular wetsuit. Even the cheap ones today are still pretty good and much better than a good wetsuit used to be a few years ago (as long as you are buying one from an established wetsuit company). Just don't buy some no name cheap wetsuit from a company that primarily makes sun umbrellas.