The 7 best wetsuits for women 2022, from Roxy, Billabong, Decathlon
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Do you like surfing or swimming in open water all year round? A great jumpsuit will help you stay warm and happy while exercising in your favorite element for longer.
Not all wetsuits are created equal – most are designed specifically for surfers or open water swimmers. If you surf or swim exclusively, be sure to choose a wetsuit specifically designed for your favorite sport.
The best wetsuits for women at a glance:
What thickness of wetsuit do I need?
All wetsuits have panels of varying thicknesses of neoprene in different areas – surf suits typically have thicker neoprene around the torso and thinner neoprene on the arms and legs, and you’ll see the neoprene thickness of a combination given in millimeters.
A 4/3mm wetsuit, for example, has 4mm neoprene on the torso and 3mm on the arms and legs, and a 5/4/3mm wetsuit has 5mm neoprene on the torso, 4mm on the legs and 3 mm on the arms.
Swimsuits have thinner neoprene around the arms and underarms for easier movement, and are cut differently than surfsuits to reduce drag.
I want to surf – what wetsuit do I need?
If you are a surfer, you will need to choose a wetsuit based on the season you plan to use it. As a guide, you should choose a 6mm wetsuit for the coldest months of the year, 5mm and 4mm for rest of winter, 4mm and 3mm for fall and spring and a suit of 2 mm just to keep the cold in the summer, or for tropical surf trips.
Open water swimmer here – what am I looking for?
Swimsuits are designed to be quick and easy to put on and take off, to meet the needs of triathletes who need to change on the fly. Wetsuits either have a back zipper or a chest zipper (we prefer a chest zipper, which we believe keeps you warm and provides better flexibility) or are even zipperless , and are cut to allow a wide stance on a board.
Swimsuits are also less buoyant than surfsuits. If you like some protection in the warmer months, you can choose a short-sleeved “shortie” wetsuit for surfing or a sleeveless full-body suit for swimming, which allows the arms to move freely.
Yes, but is it stylish?
Don’t forget to consider appearance and fit. We’ve found that the fit varies widely between brands, and a mid-size wetsuit may fit you just fine while another is too long or too loose. While most wetsuits are all black (the base color of neoprene, which offers good UV resistance), some women’s wetsuits also feature pops of bright color.
What should I spend?
Wetsuits don’t come cheap – expect to pay £100-200 for a decent full-length design. The prime location for cheap wetsuits is Decathlon.
That said, if you can afford it, it’s worth owning a few different wetsuits for different seasons and disciplines. If you’re only buying one suit for occasional swimming and surfing, a 4/3mm is probably your most versatile choice.
Maintain your new wetsuit by rinsing it in fresh water after wearing it at sea, and drying it in the shade.
Wetsuit 900 Decathlon
Key Specs – Sport: Surfing; Thickness: 3/2mm; Size Range: XS-XL; Color Options: Navy Blue
Decathlon is a great port of call if you need a decent wetsuit but don’t want to spend over £100. The 900 wetsuit is a good choice for anyone surfing in the summer months, providing decent warmth from spring through fall.
It was one of the best suits we tested for fit, hugging the body well without being restrictive and offering good flexibility. It’s a zipperless wetsuit, which takes some getting used to, and it’s not the fastest to get on and off.
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Aspire Zone 3 Suit
Key Specs – Sport: Swimming; Thickness: 5/1.5mm; Size Range: XS-XL; Color Options: Black
Dedicated swimmers need look no further – the Aspire is your new second skin.
Zone 3 designed this sleek, fast wetsuit to have as little drag as possible, and there’s great attention to detail in this feminine fit, which hugs the curves and is designed to give the women’s body the perfect level of buoyancy.
There really are no restrictions when swimming, unlike other wetsuits we’ve relied on. It might be an expensive suit (and it’s overkill for casual swimmers), but if you’re a regular triathlete or open water swimmer, you’ll be proud.
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Roxy 4/3mm Syncro
Key Specs – Sport: Surfing; Thickness: 4/3mm; Size Range: 2-14; Color Options: Black, Navy, Coral
If you’re buying your first wetsuit for use in the UK, a 4/3mm isn’t a bad place to start – it’s warm enough to work on surf sessions for most of the year .
Roxy’s minimalist performance delivers just that – great performance – with a fleece-lined inner thermal layer to trap body heat, good cuffs, a comfortable neck and chest zipper.
It also offers a snug, flattering fit that’s still flexible enough to pull shapes on your longboard.
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Patagonia Women’s R1® Lite Yulex™ Front-Zip Long Sleeve Wetsuit
Key Specs – Sport: All; Thickness: 2mm; Size Range: 6-14; Color Options: Black or Patterned
This stylish short jumpsuit is the perfect mix of swimsuit and jumpsuit. 2mm neoprene and long sleeves add warmth and also provide good protection from the sun’s rays – ideal if you’re on a water sports holiday.
The shorts don’t restrict movement but also don’t ride up even if you jump on your board. The Chest-Zip version of the R1 Lite is ideal for surfing, the Front-Zip version is more suitable for wild swimming, snorkeling and diving in warm waters.
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Zoot Kona Sleeveless Onesie
Key Specs – Sport: Swimming; Thickness: 5/4/2mm; Size range: XS-L; Color Options: Black/Pink
This sleeveless wonder is ideal for open water swimmers and triathletes who want some protection from the cold but need to have their arms free for speed and range of motion.
This wetsuit is streamlined and has a smooth finish for more hydrodynamics, but is not restrictive and is comfortable even when spending hours in the water. You can cut the legs for a perfect fit,
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Billabong Synergy Customizable Wetsuit
Key Specs – Sport: Surfing; Thickness: 3/2mm or 4/3mm; Size Range: 4-12; Color options: Infinite!
Stand out in the sea of boring black jumpsuits with Billabong’s totally customizable Synergy. It’s a great wetsuit in its own right, with a comfortable zip-up collar and a soft brushed inner lining that feels great against the skin.
Both a 4/3mm version and a 3/2mm version are available, so you’re covered for spring, summer and fall in the waves. What’s special is that you can fully customize the design of all the different panels of your Synergy with a rainbow of colors and light patterns.
It takes up to eight weeks to create and deliver, and it’s a shame the sizes only go up to 12.
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C-Skins Foggernaut Suit
Key Specs – Sport: Surfing; Thickness: 6/5mm; Size Range: 4-14; Color Options: Black
Take on the coldest oceans in this warm winter suit. 6mm of neoprene and a built-in hood are ideal for surfing Britain’s coldest waters (did you know the seas are actually coldest in March?) or even for traveling overseas surfing to cold water destinations like Iceland and Norway.
Although it’s the thickest wetsuit on our list, the Steamer still offers decent flexibility as you move around on your board, and the snug-fitting peaked hood is great for keeping your head warm.
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-17 11:23:33
