Wet Suit owners: Are they worth the hassle?

[Simple]

So I enjoy 'wild swimming'. I'm pretty much cold blooded so only get to swim about three times a year. I've been given a good quality wet suit which I can get into and breath enough.

Anyone on here used a summer wetsuit vs bikini /men's equivalent?
Are they worth the embarrassing 5 minute ordeal to 'birth' your limbs through the suit and then flail like a dog chasing his tail to zip yourself up?

Thanks
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[shereen]

Yes. I prefer a shorty suit myself, but each to their own.

[dransy]

ive got a 5mm wetsuit and 3mm boots for windsurfing , wouldnt be without it!

The waters still cold as fook even in the middle of summer!

Personally , id use it!
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[supZ]

whilst im not an avid water person other than the odd dip in the pool at the spa..

when i went white water rafting, with the wind chill the water was around 3 degrees. with my life jacket on top i was toasty warm the whole time even though i was soaked through. the only part of me that was cold were my feet as i was just wearing old trainers, the rest of me had the wetsuit keeping me cosy.

ok maybe warm and cosy isnt the right word but without it id have probably been frozen solid
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[MaybeGuy]

[doggone]

Worn a borrowed on a few times surfing, it seems to keep you slightly more buoyant as well as warmer.

[shereen]

[Chalky.]

Nice and warm when you wee in them too.

[angryjonny]

I have a 3mm suit and a 7mm suit that I use for diving abroad. In the UK I use a drysuit but that's probably overkill for open swimming.

For diving good thermal protection is essential as the level of physical exertion is low. For wild swimming you may overheat a bit if you're putting everything into it, in a thick suit. Also neoprene is bouyant and will change your dynamics in the water.

Also bear in mind that they don't really save you from windchill when you get out, so even in a wetsuit wrap up warm when you're wet.

[Zombeh]

Yes definitely get one! You'll have no excuse not to get out there then! After a few years of faffin about with cheapo ones, I've recently bought myself a dead fancy one, full sleves and legs, suitable for winter.

The extra buoyancy does throw your swimming off at first but I found that I adapted quite soon afterwards. Best thing is I can use my good one for all sorts sea/wild swimming, surfing, windsurfing, etc.

Since it costs about £10 to hire one, you'll only have to use one you buy 20 or so times and it's 'paid' for itself. Treat it nicely - always rinse of with freshwater, hang to dry out of sunlight and it'll last a while too.

[Wave2k]

Yea i prefer a wetsuit, i got surfing every so often any time of year.

I have a thick double suit for winter and a summer shorti.

Its still cold getting into the water with the shorti but its bearable and soon warms up.
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[lofty]

I wouldn't be without my wetsuit now!
Makes going surfing so much more enjoyable, I have a summer(ish) one, 2mm long legs and short arms, and a 5mm winter one. I agree on the 'slightly more bouyant' comment, mine do seem to give me a teensy bit more lift!

But then again I do have Reynauds.... so I pretty much go blue in the sea without a wetsuit!

[waffles]

I have a shortie, 3mm suit and a 5.3mm super-warm winter wetsuit for wakeboarding and they are definitely worth it. Trust me, the whole "breathe in MORE" malarky outweighs the cold numbness that runs up your arms and legs when its a bit parky.

Just remember to hang it up after use and allow it to dry thoroughly because they hum a bit if left damp and the mould can sprout. Every so often give it a rinse out in some wetsuit cleaner or dettol type stuffs.
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[Simple]

Cool okay,

I now own an O Neill ladies 5mm wet suit with full legs and detachable sleeves. I can just about get my boobage in and breath, so I'm assuming once i'm in the water it will be a great fit.


how do you wet suit wearers over come chaffing that i've been warned about?
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[Wave2k]

mine only rubs on the neck, nothing a little Vaseline wont solve
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[andy_uk]

[lofty]

Have never had that problem with a wetsuit, just make sure you don't wear tie-side bikini bottoms underneath, the bumps in the side of the wetsuit just get really annoying!

[andy_uk]

[Wave2k]

Dam im a regular to this apparent surfing Faux pas
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[Damon]

Drysuits are the way forward!

[Rich87]

If you have chafing issues try wearing a rash vest under your suit. It is made of two layers of low friction material and stops the suit rubbing against you.

I know of people that use vaseline, can't say I'v ever tried it though.

Where do you go wild swimming? Looks like fun!
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[WildGoose]

A hint i've picked up is to make sure you dry them both inside and out, otherwise they tend to stay damp on the side that hasn't been outermost and then they will start to smell.

So hang it up let it dry, then turn it inside out and hang it up to dry again.

Get a proper wetsuit hanger, or bodge something that is a little less pointy/sharp than a regular clothes hanger to stop it deforming the suit.

Love my wetsuit, putting it on = happy times.
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[MinhDinh]

Having gone Canyoning in Wales in September last year, I'd say it is bloody worth it. IMO the water is cold enough with a wet suit, so I dunno who would go without LOL.
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