Cheap vs Expensive Wetsuits: 10 Things to Know

[@paulchilvers5032]

I self assembled my first ever wetsuit in 1974 and sold dive suits as a teenager. Since then I’ve had many for waterskiing, windsurfing, diving and kitesurfing. This is the most comprehensive information that I’ve ever come across.thanks and well done.

[@Toubabou]

Absolutely brilliant , I have met reps that are not that informed.😂 Background: I surf in Cape Town freezing waters, so wetsuits are a big deal . Water can get down to 9 degrees in summer, maxi 14: it’s quite unique. My long search for the best suits drew me to Japan which leaves in a different league with unknown or little known manufacturers producing the very best In my view, fit is the most important of all. After having moved to custom made suits, I will never look back. I am on my third custom in 18 years Small arms and flat bum had normal suit bringing in water in, while people with broad shoulder or big belly would stretch the Néoprène so much that 4mm turns to 2mm, of course seams are stretched beyond limits reducing life span. A few additions to this video: -Limestone versus petroleum: limestone rubber aborbs very little water while petro based one’s keep sucking in the water: the longer you stay , the heavier it becomes. They do not loose heat over time (my friends tell me their top brands last 6-8 months, then desintegrate in 2 years) - thickness: I only surf in 3mm all around while standard is 4/3 or 5/3 . I have yet to be cold , I attribute this to custom shape, quality of rubber and the jersey. Japanese manufacturers normally offer two lines of suits: summer and winter. Both would offer 2mm to 3mm both ranges, 1,5 and 2 for summer; 3.5 ,4,5 and a few 6mm. Summer ranges are normally made with the most supple of rubber, while winter suits (called semi dry) sacrifice a bit of suppleness for a thick “heat-job” jersey -Wetsuits closure. Although I agree that a basic back zip let the most water in, top range Japanese back zip are again in a different league with jersey flaps being pulled over the neck and waterproof zippers, but the complexity increase prices. Personally, I prefer long chest zip. Again, high end manufacturers would offer: back zip, short chest zip or no zip, long chest zip, long shoulder zip, and finally neck in (you squeeze yourself in and fold back the neck closure). -seams issue: I think liquid seams is a fad. They crack too quickly. As for tape, there is only one place worth putting them: around the croches, it reduces flexibility everywhere else (reply from my manufacturer when I asked for full tape). -storage and maintenance: inside out first and on a HANGER, fastest way to dry. I also silicone spray every so often to glide into the suit. Those custom suits are an expensive purchase but low long term cost: First one lasted 6 years, never lost heat or flexibility, I gave it away. Second one is now 12 yo and sue for a change, the soft rubber has suffered. Third is 6 yo, as good as new. I would not keep a normal suits more than 2 years Most importantly, this is the first time I surf without EVER getting cold , it does a job that no big brand ever has unless I go 5/4 or more . I am due to order a new one, this is going to take me months to choose Select a manufacturer Select model Select jersey color combination One of the dozen of options … first world problem 😂 For the curious ones some brands Axxe classic BeWet (the super warm 2/2 looks next level) RM proud Mellow Rash Dovewet And there must be plenty others.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks for your comment - lots of valuable information! Much appreciated. Cheers

[@esoteric404]

holy crap i was not expecting how informative this would be. this video easily eliminated any hesitation on my part from purchasing a more expensive wetsuit. can't remember the last time i learned so much in a single video. so much in fact i had to take notes! thanks for sharing also i really appreciate the way she determines the usefulness of the suit is relative to it's purpose. i'm training for an ironman and will be doing my open water swimming much earlier this year due to covid. if she had stopped at the bit about back zippers being a big concern i'd likely of purchased one w/ that in mind. but she went a step further and explained the reasoning behind this choice, and as it turns out, a back zipper won't be nearly as impactful to me.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you, glad to hear you found this video informative :)

[@harryhalfmoon]

I completely agree. This is absolutely amazing, the amount of information in this video. Thank you so much!

[@MartiA1973]

Ten minutes of rock solid gold quality information. I have a cheap. ebay suit that fits like a second skin. It'll do me for the early months of a south coast British winter wind surfing but all of this will be useful when looking for it's replacement.

[@joakimyliruusi]

One important thing about storing and drying: line dry by folding at the waist. Do not hang from a clothes hanger from the neck opening. It will stretch the suit and make it less fitting around the neck and shoulders. Thus allowing more flushing to happen.

[@OurKiteLife]

Great tip - thank you!

[@floriszoet458]

A line or hanger has a small diameter which will cause the rubber to break. Tip of the month: Make a hanger from 40cm length of 40mm dia sewer pipe, feed a line through it, close the loop and use a stainless steel hook to hang it. The width of the pipe also allows for some air to get between the fold, allowing it to dry faster on both sides.

[@diverdave4056]

DO NOT FOLD IT ! Buy a wet suit hanger !

[@subjektobjektpradikat7902]

@@diverdave4056 Sounds to me like 'dry folded, but store hanging' cause hang drying a wet and heavy suit will stretch it. (I store my scuba 5 mm wet suit on a broad hanger, but it has a folding line from the beginning due to folded storage over a longer period at the retailer)

[@diverdave4056]

@@subjektobjektpradikat7902 my 5 mm wet suit is more than 15 years old my and 3mm wet suit is 10 year old and i always dry them inside out on a hanger and its kept on a hanger until I grab it for use ...

[@UtmostOutdoors]

Well done video! My old Xcel 4/3 infinity is still going strong 7 years later. It was my first higher end wetsuit and the ability to keep water from flushing in still blows my mind...

[@Yawarrior]

I know what you mean. I had a custom Onil from 2005 that still is super warm except for a hole in the back!!!

[@krishtayable]

I had an xcel 4/3 and the glue has already disintegrated in less than a year :(

[@RobManser77]

Great video. 👍🏻 The biggest step forward in warmth I ever had was learning that off the shelf wetsuits can be altered to fit cheaply, and that full custom suits aren’t that expensive and are amazingly warm and allow easy movement. My 6/5 custom winter suit gives me more freedom of movement than my off the shelf 4/3 summer suit...

[@VeronicaEisner77]

where do you buy custom suits

[@RobManser77]

@@VeronicaEisner77 I'm in the UK and have used Snugg. They have some set designs, but to suit windsurfing they made me a special single-lined windproof suit, which is amazing. For some odd reason they made the neck way too big and it took two returns to get that right, but everything else was absolutely spot on.

[@sctenz]

This was incredibly more informative than I expected. I was thinking this would be an add for some brand. But don't think you mentioned a single brand. Thank you!

[@uzomarose]

very informative, thank You. I really needed to know how neoprene was made and what is the environmentally friendly option(limestone /Terraprene neoprene or Yulex 100%) Fossil fuel free.....you saved me

[@jhonnybraz]

What a great video. Thank you for putting this together. There are a lot of videos out there that "claim" to help you find a wetsuit but they often talk about "what type of water are you planning on surfing" or "it depends on if you'd like more flexibility or warmth" instead of talking about the damn differences between the suits themselves. This video, however, does it perfectly. I will recommend it to anyone that's new to water sports and wants to get solid information on what features to have in their next wetsuit.

[@kxzyw]

I found it a good option to use a thick lycra under a 2-3 neoprene suit for chill water. It was a cold day because I really had to use a hood and gloves. I think that it helped a lot since I felt colder another day without it when the water was less cold. I will use this again.

[@jessthecat20]

Like cycling lycra? Or is there lycra for watersports? I've got an FSRT course next week and it's gonna be freezing 🥶

[@dannggg]

3/2 is good for me all year in SoCal.

[@johnravensbergen3324]

I bought the o'neill with a zip on hood. This is a great option to extend the season, can be used during warmer conditions, summer months here in AB, without the hood and as the temperatures cool off in the spring and fall, the hood can be attached. I use x3 suits to cover all conditions, for coldest conditions i like the ocean rodeo soul dry suit, then the o'neill wet suit and a shortie for mid summer.

[@OurKiteLife]

Yes, a hood will definitely help to extend the season. Your wetsuit set-up sounds similar to ours... we use 3/2 (sometimes shorties, if we're lucky) in the summer, Ocean Rodeo drysuits on the really cold winter days, and our 6/4/3's for everything in between

[@uhotrippa]

Vissla 7 Seas 4/3 chest zip, best suit I've owned without a doubt.. super flexible, no seal leaks, warm and cost efficient.

[@andrewpedroni6210]

Having an attached hood seems to help with getting a thinner wetsuit. I live on the Oregon coast and I’m able to get away with a 4/3 for year round kiting and surfing... definitely need the hood though!

[@OurKiteLife]

Interesting! We've only ever had hoods on our thicker wetsuits - would be curious to try out a hooded 4/3 wetsuit in colder conditions to see

[@floriszoet458]

(edit) The following has been found a result of bad research: This does not surprise me at all. 70 percent of the bodies warmth is lost at the lower back of the head. At least, that's what they told us during officer's training. So the number may differ a bit but I doubt the military academy is off by much as lives depend on this kind of knowledge.

[@floriszoet458]

Now that weather is getting colder I am using a separate hood with my worn 4-3 oNeill chest zip and I am surprised at how hot I am. Have been thinking to don the hood, actually. But I prefer being too warm over too cold.

[@ShakaZoulou77]

@@OurKiteLife From the human experiments of the nazis, they found , that there is a lot of heat loss from neck and head, because the high flow of blood. We can't have that people back or take their suffering, but we learnt a lot.

[@KevinHallSurfing]

@@floriszoet458 Oddly we were told about this heat loss in Martial Arts classes too. Something related to training in snow barefoot under waterfalls? LOL Anyway I normally have used a 5/4 XCEL (latest being the cheaper Axis X model and no hoodie) mid winter for many years until I bought a 3mm QS hoodie and used it with a 4/3 front zip and surprisingly was quite warm and certainly helped against the windchill from the mountains.

[@_bluespider5470]

May be you should do a video on how to treat best your wetsuit to expend it's lifespan (rincing, drying, storing ect)

[@OurKiteLife]

Great suggestion, thanks :)

[@jmmolinari]

@@OurKiteLife for instance I put my wetsuit directly at sun light to dry it, and it seems it is not the way to go according to this video...

[@floriszoet458]

Agree. There are many ways to prolonging the life of a wetsuit. See my suggestion of 40mm dia drying hanger in different post. I have also heard the word lubricant in the movie. Once even heard a wetsuit shop suggest vaseline. Never use vaseline! It will deteriorate the rubber!

[@jmmolinari]

@@floriszoet458 can I put in a washer machine?

[@floriszoet458]

@@jmmolinari No. Hand wash in cold or luke warm water only. It should say so in the label. If your suit really smells, you can use mild soap like rip curl's wetsuit detergent: "piss off". And off course you could also hold it up until you find a proper bathroom 😉🤙

[@WhiteRapunzel]

I'm in 9°C water and have been using a 5/4/3 wetsuit from GUL with a back zip for £140. Very flexible and comfortable but I wish I knew all this before hand!

[@isaacrigby]

haha, lucky u, I'm in a 4/3 in 8c water, and my dad is in a 3/2 in 8c water, the can get colder as well

[@o4pureh2o]

Great video. I start a new 4/3 at in the winter and then as it warms I go back to the old suit for warmth and sun protection in the summer. This helps get an extra season or 2 out of my suits.

[@nathanparrish834]

I have one and it was around 60 -70 dollars and it’s held up well I’ve had it for 4 years now and In those 4 years I’ve taken it on many adventures and it still is in pretty decent condition and I agree with you on how you don’t have to spend a ton of money on an expensive wetsuit to get a good wetsuit

[@OurKiteLife]

That's awesome! Sounds like you got a great deal :)

[@t_c5266]

I think a really big thing missed on here is suit longevity and durability. That is honestly my biggest consideration as they will all give a relatively good level of warmth unless you're trying to surf in the hardcore winter. But as a summer surfer myself, I have had a 3/2 that was used when I got it, and has lasted ~12 years of weekend summer surfing. My brother got a 4/3, was an upper-end suit, and it was falling apart by the end of the first year. Here is the difference: my suit has the flat stitches and taped seams. His suit had the partial thickness stitching and welds. When you research this online, most people will mention that the upper end brand new suits will only last about a year. They are focused on warmth, not length. When about 50-30 years ago wetsuits would easily last about 10 years before getting destroyed. The reason is my suit has full penetration stitching going through all of the material. Every panel has a mechanical connection that is stronger than the rubber itself. Then those stitches are protected with a very robust piece of tape. This combination makes these suits incredibly hard to destroy. The upper end welded suits have a covering of rubber on them. As you use the suit, take it on and off, etc, that rubber will embrittle. It will bend, it will break. By the end of the first year little pieces of it will be sticking to you. The welds were not made to bend like when youre taking your suit off or putting it on. You'll find that because of this, companies have only now 2 lines of products usually. The really cheap suits that suck, or the really expensive suits that last only 1 year. You're extremely hard pressed to find the middle-range suit that costs between the 2 because they simply did too good and lasted too long. Company's profit margin isnt as great when their products dont have planned obsolescence built in, and its extremely frustrating.

[@kendaldk5634]

Needed this. Looking at buying my first wetsuit so I can paddle board a few months later and start a few months earlier. I live in North Carolina so I'm thinking I'll go for a 3mm maybe a 4mm

[@brianmckenzie1318]

A good 4/3 in NC should take you a long way! Only problem is those swing weather days, were it can be cold and then the next day hot! If it does get warm, I jump in the water and let a little of the cool water flush in!

[@litsymearskelley4915]

Hey! Did you pick one? I live in East TN and am doing the same

[@kendaldk5634]

@@litsymearskelley4915 not yet. I couldn't really find one I liked when I was looking back in August and September. Wetsuits seemed to be a hot products around then given that at starts to cool down around those times and I couldn't find many in stock I liked. I'm back looking now though which is why I came back to this video and replied haha. The ones I'm conidering are kiteboarding ones like mystic and ion because they seem to have the most flexiblity. I also liked the xcel 4/3 wetsuit as it seemed to be a nice one at a reasonable price. Have you gotten one yet? I am probably going to get one in a few months during the summertime as maybe I can get one on sale since they won't really be needed in this area during the summer.

[@daveoriordan1537]

I'd say point 4 is more important than thickness. I'd rather a 3mm suit with good seams than a 5mm with flatlock seems. Even for summer suits I'll look for at least glued and blindstiched seems as the flushing with flatlock seems will make the suit seem colder in all but the best conditions. I'd say fit, seams, thickness and flexibility in that order. Having a two year old version of a wetsuit and a new one, it may not be just the age, but an improvement in the suit itself in those two years also.

[@nicolasboudet9302]

In my opinion the worst with a wet suit is to be clogged in it as you want to remove it quickly in cold wind (either to pee 😥either to remove it before entering your car while a heavy cold rain with big gust or some hail is starting🥶) I already have sometimes difficulties with back zip , and I must admit I never succeeded to come into a front zip at any dealer shop, so I quickly concluded that it will be far more difficult to move out, and that it was not for me. I prefer wear an additional Kway to limit the wind action. In France the sea water is very rarely under 10C , but the wind can be around 0C, so the water seems warmer than air.😊 Anyway during winter the best option for wetsuit is to ride in the (French) Caribbean’s 😎

[@OurKiteLife]

Agreed - travelling somewhere warm is better than putting on a wetsuit - front zip or back zip ;)

[@luc-alaindehaes3512]

Euuuh I pee inside :)

[@ShakaZoulou77]

The most important thing is the fiting, if fits like a second skin without any spaces it is greatest thing. Another important thing and hard to find is wetsuits with buttocks pads, sitting to put bots, gloves, fins and googles, and coming out of the water really tired to undress immediately needing to sit in the rocks to relax a lit bit

[@forzeformc]

Don't hang your wetsuit on a hanger by the shoulders! Due to gravity it will stretch the shoulders making it fit less and less well over time. Perfect timing for me as well, as my current wetsuit needs to be replaced for the winter. Thanks for the info :)

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you for the tip :)

[@natural_law]

💯

[@Ne3s23p2]

Thanks ! But they are seen on hangers in shops. I will take care of mine, hanging them by the waist with proper hangers (homemade with a tube as large as the hanger bar)

[@robinbri6796]

I bought a cheap one 8 years ago; used it at least 9 weeks constantly for surfing and additional for other sport like diving, wakeboard etc. Its still fine, I dont think it keeps the temperature as good as expansive one. But this 50€ wetsuit is one of the best investments I‘ve done so far😅

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice! Hey, nothing wrong with a cheap suit if you get a lot of use from it and it keeps you warm enough. We buy cheaper 3/2 and shorty suits and they work just fine for warmer temps :)

[@kitermike5955]

Custom tailored suits are cheaper than top end factory suits here in the UK. We have 2 very good suit makers I know of. My last 2 were custom- just dont lose/gain weight and don't expect an overnight delivery.

[@OurKiteLife]

Good to know! We don't know of any local custom wetsuit makers but definitely worth looking into for future wetsuits

[@benjaminshaw]

Thank you for useful content. I have had trouble selecting a good suit and now have some better consideration to the process. My attempts at better brands but cheaper suits hasn't alway ended up in success.

[@jackignatev]

Hi there from Russia. To me, the hardest part is to find a proper fit. That's because I'm 193 cm tall and only 70 kg weight. I used Mystic CrossFire S-size for 4 summer seasons. It was very warm, the water didn't get in much during crushes, despite it is back zip. But now it is full of holes and tears and I'm tired up to glue and sew it together. I've tried frontzip MT-size Pro-limit, but it fits bad when wet and I found tears after just one use! Hope they give me moneyback. Shop assistant told me, that I should use ST-size, but they don't have such size in product line, lol. Now I have Brunotti frontzip M-size, it's surprisingly well fits. Exited to try it in water :) Summarizing: If you are hella tall and thin, don't aim to MT-like sizes, just try on them all!

[@OurKiteLife]

We have a couple of tall/lean friends who have similar struggles finding a good fitting wetsuit. Hopefully your Brunotti works out for you!

[@jackignatev]

@@OurKiteLife you can also advise them Janga MT, I've tried one and it fits amazing, but not bought it because of shitty color.

[@dasaticar2194]

Great video. I have 10 wetsuits in the closet for surfing and diving and still found it informative and well made!

[@strekke1986]

Doesn't matter which wetsuit you get, within 10-15 sessions it will start letting water in and after a few months of regular use (few times per week) you might rip a seam. Talk to the dealership and get a wetsuit from a brand that respects warranty claims so you can swap it in easily for a new one.

[@OurKiteLife]

Do you know of some brands that offer/respect warranty claims? Would be good to know for future wetsuit purchases. Thanks!

[@JamesClose-rx8hi]

@@OurKiteLifevissla

[@WillMoody-crmstorm]

Perfect timing. Buying my first westuit this week. Thanks!

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice! Have you decided on a brand/model yet?

[@WillMoody-crmstorm]

@@OurKiteLife I'm looking at the Majestic. Seeks like a safe bet. Or the O'Neill Psycho. Have you had experience of these? I'm going to use your hot water trick for after the winter sessions! 👍

[@rafdesmet]

@@WillMoody-crmstorm I have an O'neill Psycho 5/4 and love it! Kiting in temps as low as 5°C is possible (off course with gloves and boots) :).

[@WillMoody-crmstorm]

@@rafdesmet Thanks. Great to know! So excited to be getting my own kit, I might burst!

[@fredericos4190]

If you like traveling, there’s no way around eventually needing a wetsuit. Great advices!

[@SoL-cl1pw]

Oneill psycho tech keeps me warm the coldest winter sessions

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice, thanks for sharing - have heard this wetsuit come up a few times in the comments already so must be good!

[@wojtekkrepa7441]

me too :) , my 6/4 mm and 4/3 mm all with hood are superb , the thinnest and the warmest I have used ever....in use from 2018

[@behrensf84]

If you go kayaking in the cold water and need wet suit. My biggest concern is chaffing. I always apply sliding cream under the armpits...

[@Chris_PerthWA]

Great video - agree with everything. I buy mid-range 4:3's and replace them every 2nd season. My new favourite is to compliment the suit with a vest or oversized neoprene hoody. (Warm climate in Perth Western Australia) - I wear full suits for sun protection. And yes, good tight fit is essential

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Yeah, those neoprene hoodies are great for additional warmth and preventing wind chill :)

[@JamesLamb]

I have a stinger suit for the sun.

[@Logopai]

Thanks! I bought a cheap Ion wetsuit that blew out in the back after half a dozen sessions. Nothing like having ice cold water poured down your back during a winter session with a relatively new wetsuit. ☹️ I wish I had this video before buying my suit.

[@OurKiteLife]

Ah, sorry to hear that! We've also learned our lesson from buying cheap wetsuits over the years... definitely don't mind paying a bit more for higher quality, especially for winter suits

[@leonelmateus]

the good ol' pee flush.. good feature. my favourite part is getting wipped in the face by the backleash.

[@chrislaveen543]

I have well over a hundred dive in 3 years with my Henderson Titanium Hyper Stretch . I used it for diving around the Philippines. It's the best wetsuit I've own thus far.

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice! Thank you for sharing :)

[@utilars]

This was highly informative. It would be cool if you were able to bring in some data on how cheap vs expensive wetsuits perform in triathlons (specifically Ironman). I"m a short timer, but I'm still interested.

[@stefpix]

Ps also 2 piece open.cell suits with integrated hood onnthe top, no zipper, high waist pants are way warmer. I was cold in 20C degree water with a 3mm scuba suit in mexico after 1 hour, but with 5mm open cell no zipper i am fine in 9C degrees water in the winter in ny usa

[@BeckVMH]

Wow, knowing nothing about this topic, that was a lot of information to process and illustrated how little I knew. Thanks so much for posting and for the multitude of important factors to consider! Well done.

[@heymofo1981]

billabong furnace 5 4 is perfect for the UK winter, other 5 4 makes were pretty poor so spending well paid off for me

[@harryhalfmoon]

I've heard that the Billabongs are very good suits indeed, only that recently they've been having some issues with the zippers.

[@Sebastian-eg5iu]

Thank you for the video! As a first time potential buyer, I learned a lot!

[@OurKiteLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nathaliejk3696]

Great video, wondering if you could also do a video regarding full body and sleeveless or knee length wetsuits vs full body ones

[@RyanWheelerUK]

I've found I get more flushing from my Winter wetsuit with front zip than my summer suit with a back zip - its not so much from the crash, but if I have to body drag back to my board then the water seems to more easily find its way in through the shoulder (esp on the left due to how the suit folds over) than the back zip ever does. For surfing no question, front zippers. For kitesurfing I am not convinced.

[@OurKiteLife]

Interesting! Can’t say I’ve had that experience myself with a front zip suit - I definitely experienced more flushing with my back zip suit compared to the front zip

[@Baptiste_L]

@@OurKiteLife @Ryan Wheeler In this video, the owner of Sooruz Wetsuit (a small French high quality brand) explain why for kitesurfer and Windsurfer the Back zip is the optimal choice and more efficient. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmLEl2x_pciBeLc The video is in French, but he explain why using a front zip wetsuit is a false idea and is essentially a trend fashion. He states that with a modern wetsuit and a high quality zip, the back zip offers less room for the water to penetrate. The front zip suit has a bigger hole (and especially the zipless version) located near the shoulder which is an articulation that mooves and create space for water to enter (which is not the case in the back where movement are limited. He also add that the harness help to limit the flush of water. This video changed my opinion on Back zip suit.

[@henrycrabb9737]

I would go with a four in warm water just to be sure front zipping no sewing silk design something on those lines.

[@leonelmateus]

Great presentation, lovely plant. Wish you covered what is suggested for ontario + great lakes region specifically for kiteboarding (what else). I find the range of suites available (sizes, colour options and brands) at surfing hot spots to be much greater than at the usual outlets around the GTA. I've used a hooded 654 on lake Erie in January and it works just fine for a 2 hr sesh - at this point gloves and booties are the most critical components! Otherwise I prefer to wear a 3-2, which I will do through the winter in southern Europe, VS, a 3-2 in the middle of the summer on a solid N wind on Huron will give you chills after a 4 hour session. While in europe I have to rinse the suit and dry every single time in the bathtub or the salt will destroy it in one season! Anyone ever buy a wetsuit online (without trying it)??

[@OurKiteLife]

For winter kiting in Ontario we would agree - thick gloves and booties make a huge difference. Right now we have Mystic 6/4/3 suits and love them, but still winter sessions are limited to a few hours max. Would say 6mm is preferable. Managed a couple winters in 5mm back zip, but it wasn't fun after the first hour. For the coldest days, we opt for drysuits.

[@leonelmateus]

p.s. in the winter when its subzero or rather -20 with windchill I wear a spandex type fullbody tight water-wicking undergarment. It helps when changing out of it if you got to change outside.

[@scottklandl488]

3/2 and a dry suit. Thicker wetsuits suck and are useless to kiters (hood for surfers who 90% of suits are designed for)

[@wolf-walker]

I have a 6 mil diving suit from Waterproof. I use it for kayaking in colder temps. It's a super warm suit and sometimes too hot if not submerged in the water. I float like a cork in it and once it fills, which takes a long while, especially with boots and gloves sealed to it, even the coldest water I've been in feels like a hot tub! Since I got my dry suit, I prefer the lighter drysuit better. It's lighter, easier to move around in, and I can control my layers inside it. Not to mention, I look like crap in such a tight suit ha ha😂

[@OurKiteLife]

Haha - definitely some advantages to the drysuit! We use ours pretty frequently through winter. While our thick wetsuits keep us warm for a few hours, we can kite all day in drysuits.

[@rctrix9063]

Great advice. 👍 I still don't get why front zip wetsuits are more expensive. They don't seem any more difficult to make.

[@selbalamir7060]

Very insightful. Thanks for the research. My insight is that if the manufacturer has a fashion line as well don't buy their wetsuits they will last a quarter as long. Xcel make the best wetsuits in my opinon.

[@OurKiteLife]

Would definitely agree with that - as that's been our experience as well. Have heard great things about Xcel in the comments and on the beach too.

[@mariecohen3052]

How much cost a great new wetsuit

[@MichelleYred40]

I learned alot from this. You forgot to not store wetsuit with hanger pulling on shoulders materials, but folded on hanger at waistline 😊

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

I was looking for windsurfing before ultimately buying secondhand, and saw some pricing oddities: Why are chest-zip designs more expensive than back-zip designs? I would expect that the required material should be the same. Regarding hooded wetsuits, I noticed 5/4 thickness is more expensive than 6/5 thickness. Why?

[@OurKiteLife]

Chest zip designs are supposed to be warmer than back zip, so perhaps that's why they are more expensive? Front zip is a newer feature, so there's a price bump for it I guess. As for the 5/4 being more expensive than a 6/5, not sure why that would be :/

[@hannahyee655]

this was an immensely informative, detailed and clear video guide. Thank you so much.

[@scubatravel7846]

Great informative video! as a cave diver I have to buy a new wetsuit for kite surfing -oh my gosh. My first time with a front zip was so difficult to get on lol but I def noticed a difference in less water flushing! I also LOVE how much more flexible these 'surfer' suits are

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Yes - the front zip suits take some getting used to, but we've found them to be much warmer :)

[@SurfmanCHK]

Good Research. After more than 40 year (Military and professional) Diving and 20 years of Surfing (Wind, Kite, SUP) I Hand ist all, including Dry Suits. For cold (

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! And thanks for sharing your wetsuit recommendations - helpful for those looking for a new wetsuit :)

[@SurfmanCHK]

@@OurKiteLife I hate my apple autocorrect features😤

[@benjamingass1688]

Great video. It sounds as though you are grouping "wet" suits with "semi-dry" suits - with "wet" suits being the cheaper version. Wet suits as I understand it are meant to let water in and your body warms the water, though you still want minimal flushing. Semi-Dry suits do let some water in, but not as much as wetsuits and have better seals to reduce flushing even more. I kite in Cape Town which is 10 - 12 degrees C (50 - 55 F) with warm 20 - 30 C air, so "wet" suits are more than adequate, so this may be a location factor.

[@OurKiteLife]

Hey Benjamin, it's funny that you believe that wetsuits are meant to let water in and your body warms the water... we used to believe that too until we did more research. In fact if you have a cheap wetsuit, and no water gets in, you will be warm. If you have some water get in, you will be colder, but if the water in the wetsuit acts as a barrier to stop more water getting in/flushing, you will be fine. The worst is when you have new/cold water flushing in constantly. Semi dry suits - our understanding is that it is just a marketing term meant to show that less water is getting in, meaning you are staying dryer/warmer. At the end of the day, the fit of the wetsuit is the most important aspect (all things equal), followed by stitching type and lastly if the seams are glued/taped/etc to prevent new water coming in. All in all, the term "wetsuit" is deceiving as you don't need water to be inside the suit to keep you warm. Often times after an hour long kiteboarding session, we get out of the water, take our wetsuits off, and we are still dry.

[@benjamingass1688]

@@OurKiteLife Thank you so much for the detailed response! I have been enlightened! Good luck with your upcoming winter sessions!

My fav was the salvimar fluyd be one, for relatively warm climates: completely cuts down the wind chill and UVs, it's super elastic and sticks to you well which keeps you quite warm for a 1.5 mm suit. Used mostly for snorkeling/freediving and sup though, I guess it would get destroyed fast when kitesurfing ;) My current one since I moved to a colder climate: salvimar wet drop cell, which is an open cell 5mm wetsuit. Super warm in the water, but the wind chill is not great... Using it for wing surfing and freediving, we'll see how long it lasts ;) at least it is relatively cheap as far as freediving wetsuit go...

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice - thanks for sharing! Hadn't heard of those wetsuits before, will check them out.

[@xxwookey]

Lots of excellent info in here. One thing you didn't mention was zipless suits Which I would have thought was a useful feature for kitesurfing as it primarily reduces flushing? zipless > chest zip > back zip. And of course the reverse order for how easy they are to get in/out of :-)

[@OurKiteLife]

We have never heard of zipless wetsuits but it would make sense they would have the least amount of flushing. Could only imagine getting in and out of one 😄

[@xxwookey]

@@OurKiteLife Yeah, that's the tricky bit. It's like a chest zip but a bit more annoying :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZPGmIxugN9ssJo I'm a canyonner, not a kiteboarder, (although I must try it sometime) which has a lot of jumping and swimming so flush-resistance is vital to avoid being freezing. zipless are great for this.

[@Ne3s23p2]

Great information, found while waiting for the end of winter storm season as I live in southwest France.

[@pontes1]

I bought a 3/2 cheap Chinese wetsuit brand Sbart and it suits me very well here in Brazil's southern winter, average temperature of 18 Celsius degrees. Probably shouldn't work in Toronto. 😁

[@OurKiteLife]

Sounds like it would great for summer here, but definitely not winter! :)

[@JustTvist]

Quality content, love it. Greetings from Poland, and have a nice windy days all year long 🇵🇱 :)

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you 😊 greetings from Canada!

[@douglassnyder9612]

Very good information! Was looking at wetsuits earlier today for surfing in So Cal. From past experience fit is super important.

[@andrewfallows1009]

My favourite youtube channel! Thanks 🙏

[@OurKiteLife]

Thank you so much :)

[@Chris_PerthWA]

Same - Always looking forward to the next.

[@dannyisrael]

Really great video as usual. I pretty much destroyed my flashbomb by hanging it to dry on its hanger 😓. Still got 4 excellent years out of it though and had bought it used.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks :) 4 years is a great lifespan for a wetsuit!

[@dannyisrael]

At this point the foam is gone from the shoulders, there's just the fabric which makes it look like there's no hole :) Pushing 5 years with it now!

[@Tera83074]

informative but missed one important aspect relating to diving, especially when diving wetsuits often are more expensive then its counterparts. Diving wetsuits are stiffer than more active sport wetsuits for a reason, they have a neoprene compound that will compress less under pressure, this can be verry important, in fact life threatening important. All wetsuits will compress to some degree under pressure but non-dive wetsuits will compress much more the deeper you dive and there by lose much of its isolation properties, higher depth also equals lower temperature, equals at best a cold and miserable dive, at the worst hypothermia. However even more serious is that a non-dive wetsuit loses buoyancy more rapidly with increased depth, an experienced diver will be able to account for this. A worst case may be that the diver my find themselves unable to achieve positive buoyancy, that could lead to injuries or death. That said if aware and with experience it may be done safely, but to do so one needs to understand the implications of using a wetsuit not meant for diving.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks for your comment! Really useful information that we weren't aware of.

[@deenarocco8908]

Thanks , great info! I hope to be walking in the lake into the cooler weather and will be looking for a warmer wetsuit.

[@lynnerobertson2771]

Great video! And love your channel. Thanks. Noticed that the mm don't align across brands! For kiting, I've had Mystic, Roxy, Billabong, and Manera. TL;DR Manera wetsuits FTW and NP wind shirts. MANERA: I LOVE my Manera 4/3 10XD. Super stretchy, chest zip, and a tight fit, which may be why it's better than the two surf brands. Has lasted three years and still good. Doesn't flush! I'm sticking to this brand for the future. MYSTIC: The Mystic I had a few years ago was 5/4 back zip and not very flexible. I think their newer materials will be better though. Didn't flush! I seem between sizes in Mystic: small = short in torso and small in shoulders, or medium = too big in waist. Love the ankle drain vents on Manera & Mystic. Very important for kiters as the water splashes up. ROXY: The Roxy 5/3 performance CZ with hood, which I don't wear but like how it keeps my neck warm, and a 3/2 synchro plus CZ which is fine for warm temps. May be a bit long in the torso for my shape. Haven't used them enough to know they'll last. Prefer the 3/2 to the 5/3 here. BILLABONG: I probably should've sized down, as they seemed to stretch out with time and start flushing. Elephant ankles are no fun. Salty Daze and Furnace carbon comp, CZ, cute patterns. As mentioned in the video: fit really matters, so if you can try them on, it's worth the pain in the arse to find what fits your body. Tip: The NP wind shirt (armor skin 0.3) is a great add-on for warmth. Put it over your suit and it totally blocks the wind on upper body and arms, so you don't need such a thick suit. Super thin and stretchy. Mine has lasted 4 (?) years before the armpit is starting to go. Totally worth it!!!!

[@OurKiteLife]

Wow thanks for your comment! Really great insights! I found the same thing with Mystic re: sizing

[@HouseholdDog]

The Omnired looks like the suit from The Greatest American Hero.

[@georgeivanov8832]

I agree with all facts except front zipper, back zipper is in my opinion more friendly and more surfier like Point Break style ;)

[@OurKiteLife]

It is friendlier for sure but in 2*C water front zip is warmer

[@firstnamelastname2669]

@@OurKiteLife Maybe but I'm glad I tried it in the shop as I'd be worn out for the session after getting into one of those. Ok, whilst my spot is north of Ontario, it's not nearly so cold, but I find a merino under the suit soaks up any water entry.

[@okosakaroklenni]

@@OurKiteLife Psycho One for example has an extra layer of thin neoprene under the back zip. It also works like a "hoodie", you can pull it to the front over your head so it wont let water get in around your neck and at your back. I used it in 12°C water for wakeboarding and was awesome (3/2). Waaaay comfier than a front zip.

[@OnlyMrFritz]

Honestly. What an absolutely brilliant informative video. Wish I had seen this before I brought mine… but it’s helped me buy my new one!

[@WindsurfingNelson]

Very useful, thank you! I think I made the mistake to buy an old new wetsuit which was on special. At least it's a summer wetsuit.

[@bearlemley]

Informative and well thought out video. Even the sound is really good! Thank you for your work.

[@OurKiteLife]

thanks believe it or not we had to re-shoot the video late at night due to sound issues :S

[@lrc87290]

As always another informative video. planning on buying a cold weather wet suit for this winter season. Thanks

[@wildeandy]

Another really informative video. It might be worth talking about ankle straps at least for kitesurfing. My mystic wetsuit has them and it really avoids getting "elephant" legs.

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks! Yeah - ankle straps definitely help in the waves

[@wildeandy]

@@rytc the straps stop water coming up the leg from the foot. There are 3 small holes above the straps on the inside leg which allow any water inside to drain out. I would definitely recommend them for wave riding

[@wildeandy]

@@rytc I can confirm they are on the Majestic because that's what I have. I suspect they are only available with on the ones that comes with straps so the higher-end ones.

[@stefpix]

Open cell it is so, so, so much better and warmer. You just need to spray it with water and you get in easy. No need for lubricant.

[@bd7190]

Great video thank you. I need your opinion in something if you don't mind. I want to buy O'Neill HYPERFREAK 2MM CHEST ZIP SPRING WETSUIT. My use is swimming in water temperatures 16-18. What do you think? Is it a good choice?

[@KKIcons]

Hope you have one on pfd's and harnesses, especially fitting.

[@nickwoodward1511]

xcel for me they take a bit of breaking in but last.

[@annibastiklein4160]

nick woodward same, they make some really good wetsuits

[@Kernowking101]

Interesting video. I do wonder about the age thing though. I've got some top of the line Rip curl and Oneill suits for surfing and they are about 3 years old. They still feel as warm as the day I got them. You talk about a 6mm feeling colder than a 3:2. If that were the case with mine, I wouldn't be able to get in the water. 3:2 isn't sufficient for winter here.

[@OurKiteLife]

Interesting! The 6mm feeling colder than a 3:2 was a 10 year old suit though. Perhaps it's not noticeable after 2-3 years, but given that wetsuit was a decade old, it was. With regard to the wetsuit I replaced with the same model, it was a basic Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5/3 suit - not "high end" - so my guess would be your suits are better designed/use higher quality materials? Not sure though!

[@tommydplayskeys]

Don't know how 'high end' it's considered but my O'Neill Mutant 5/4 is about 6 years old now and has had only occasional use, dried out of the sun etc. Bit sad to find last weekend that the tape on the seams inside is basically falling apart, and leaving bits of itself stuck to my body! I think age is coming to claim this one. Maybe if I'm only going to use it a couple of times per year I'd be wasting my money with an expensive suit...

[@sashavoitoff7514]

What can wetsuit should I use for scuba diving for warm water diving

[@stevencoish5872]

I didn't see any information about what to wear inside your wet suit. I just use a thin 1mm Lycra liner inside which seem to add a little extra warming even if it gets wet. On colder days in the fall I even add more but then trade off is that it can restrict your movements. Any tips or ideas from anyone?

[@OurKiteLife]

We used to wear rash guards underneath for additional warmth... not sure how effective that was though

[@louddude]

so explicit! thanks for detailed explanation

[@GarysBBQSupplies]

I am wanting to do some shallow water free-diving in the Pacific Northwest in Summer. What weight of suit do you think I should get?

[@Thestripper1]

Just bought my most expensive suit to date. A Rip Curl Heat Seaker 6/4. After only a few surfs the seams are coming apart around the chest, back and shoulders. Any one else have this problem?

[@pollyhindle8749]

Thankyou that makes things a lot easier, very informative and no messing around straight to the point 🇬🇧

[@paulpanetta3775]

Excellent details and very concise. thanks!

[@erickduong1547]

What would be a good wetsuit too use for football Tom Brady has used one over the years and I'm looking into getting one any recommendations on a wet suit that is great for mobility but keeps you warm?

[@postabsorptiv]

Thank you for a very thorough and informative video👍 Do you have any experience what brands fits best a tall and skinny person 193cm, 73kg, chest 90 cm, waist 76 cm. I’m not sure tto what extend I can trust the brands generic size charts across the various models they produce. Cheers from Denmark

[@OurKiteLife]

Glad you found it helpful! We do have a friend who is tall and thin, and he likes his Patagonia wetsuit. Another option would be a custom made suit - there are a few recommendations for companies in the comments here.

[@dirtrider88]

7:41 is there a line between being tight and fitting well and stretching it out so much that it lets water in? i would imagine if its stretched to much the pores (or whatever) of the neoprene open up and allow water in.

[@10java]

Awesome. Thanks. What are the top brands? What is your preference ?

[@OurKiteLife]

Right now we have Mystic wetsuits and they’re pretty good in terms of quality and warmth. A lot of local kiters swear by Xcel. Prolimit is another brand that’s pretty popular, but we haven’t tried ourselves. A lot of people have left recommendations in the comments here as well :)

[@10java]

@@OurKiteLife Thank you. I really enjoy your videos and I think you do great job.

[@jeremiea999]

first thing i do when i get in the water is open the suit to let water in then seal it back up i stay warm for hours in 42 degree water

[@OurKiteLife]

Do you find that you stay warmer that way versus not opening your suit?

[@reggiestjernholm247]

How about a review for Isurus Wetsuits?

[@bastienlvdx1779]

Indeed what a timing! I'm also buying my gear this week! Do you guys have an opinion on prolimit's wetsuits?

[@OurKiteLife]

Nice! No, we haven't tried Prolimit wetsuits before. I do own a pair of Prolimit 5mm booties which are great though

[@56Long21]

I want to use an inground, unheated swimming pool year round in Texas for exercise laps ( about 20 min). Below 85deg. is cold foe me. Would a cheap suit due?

[@seanscallan5294]

Great job thanks for explaining wetsuits so good

[@MrDandelio]

I use it for swimming the cold NorCal waters in winter. My first suit size S was true to my size, fit well on land, leaked in water 🥶. I got another brand where M was closed to my size , so I got S. It felt nice and tight, but comfy in water. First 3 swims great, 4 started to leak, 5-6 leaking crazy 🥶. What do u think happened? Might I stretch the seams getting a too tight one? May the suit have loosened by swimming? Any suggestions? Thank u 🙏😊

[@OurKiteLife]

If you haven’t already, you may want to look into a wetsuit more specific for swimming rather than a generic style surfing wetsuit. It’s hard for us to say what could’ve caused your suits to leak - it may have been a sizing issue or a quality issue. Sorry we can’t be of more help!

[@devencareer]

Very precise and professional , thank you

[@andrewrose752]

Can I have some advice please. I'm looking for a wet suit. The sea is cold as I'm from the UK.. All I'm looking to do it go jumping of cliffs and general messing around in the sea.. Any advice please what I should get.

[@OurKiteLife]

Hey Andrew - there are lots of recommendations here in the comments section. Xcel, Mystic, Patagonia, O'neil and Ion are a handful of brands that people are generally pretty happy with their wetsuits. Hope that helps :)

[@djizzah]

front zips are a nightmare in cold weather, just saying for surfing you can strain a shoulder putting them on and off in cold/freezing weather, you should mention to people with any sort of shoulder issues whatsoever must choose a back zip

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks for the comment - we will definitely keep this is mind for any future recommendations!

[@metapod666]

is a 4/3 wetsuit with a back zip warm enough for 55 degree water? referring specifically to the women's o'neil epic suit.

[@OurKiteLife]

Looks like a 4/3 should be warm enough: oneillcanada.com/pages/help-center#wetsuits

[@francescodimattia9178]

Very nicely done! Wish I saw it before I bought my wetsuit. Will keep it in mind for next time

[@OurKiteLife]

Thanks