Buying A Cheap Wetsuit - Some Tips

When purchasing a cheap wetsuit there are some things to be taken into consideration before you choose which one to buy. The most important consideration is always going to be the fit. A wetsuit that does not fit well will be uncomfortable, may cause chaffing and will not be warm. Your wetsuit should allow some water to enter which is warmed by the body and provides a layer of insulation. If the wetsuit is too big too much cold water will enter and you will be cold and saltwater and sand between your skin and the suit will cause rashes and be uncomfortable. Always check the fit at the ankles, neck and wrists to make sure water cannot enter through any gaps. If your wetsuit fits well it should stretch and move with you.
In addition to the fit other things to look for include warmth, durability, performance and comfort.

Warmth
A thicker wetsuit will be warmer but will also be less flexible and have lower performance. For a winter wetsuit the neoprene should be between 3mm and 5mm (sometimes 6mm is used) and for summer wetsuits a thickness of 2-3mm is adequate. Warmth can also be affected by the lining. Coated, mesh or lined neoprene is often used to improve warmth and help to reduce wind chill but again the use of these lining will reduce the performance. It is therefore a balance between warmth and performance so keep your particular needs in mind when choosing the thickness of the material and the type and thickness of the lining.

Durability
Durability is affected by the type and thickness of the material used for the wetsuit. Superstretch material, used in high performance suits will be comfortable and highly flexible but will have reduced durability. In general, higher performance, more expensive wetsuits are less durable than cheaper, lower performance suits. If you are purchasing a used wetsuit look for wear at the knees as this is the area that tends to show wear first.

Performance
A wetsuit that stretches with you and offers very little resistance will give good performance and is very dependent on the price of the wetsuit. Expect to pay for an expensive wetsuit if you need the highest performance.

Comfort
All the preceding factors contribute to the comfort of a wetsuit. In addition the number and placement of the seams can contribute to how comfortable the suit is. More panels, with more seams will improve the fit but the seams can be uncomfortable and reduce the flexibility. In addition rubber compound used on seams to make them watertight can also reduce the flexibility. The suit needs to stretch enough to feel comfortable and allow freedom of movement. The more stretchy a wetsuit is generally the more expensive and less durable. A cheaper, less stretchy suit will be warmer but movement will be more restrictive.

In the end it comes down to a balance between cost, comfort and durability. If performance is ultimately important to you choose an expensive wetsuit and be prepared to replace it more frequently. If cost is the deciding factor be prepared for a less comfortable suit that is slightly more restrictive but will last longer.

personalized bobbleheads
personalized bobbleheads
personalized bobble heads
personalized bobblehead
customize bobblehead
custom bobblehead
customize bobblehead
personalized bobble heads
personalized bobblehead
customized bobbleheads
customized bobbleheads
custom bobbleheads

• Classifieds February 5, 2015