Do you have a wetsuit?

[TheChosenTwo]

Pretty simple, do you have one and if so would you recommend it? I want one but there is so much choice! It’s just for some swimming, I’m a wimp and want one 😂 dh is absolutely flabbergasted that I’m not embracing the cold water!

I do not have one and have no intention of ever getting wet enough to need one!

Probably better to name your price first! Wetsuits go from supermarket paddle on the beach level up to must have all the fanciest gear to shave 0.5s off my triathlon time with prices to match.

I have the cheapest decathlon open water swimming wetsuit. It felt like it fit in the shop, but it lets a bit too much cold water flow through for my liking. I'm not spending €300 on a fancier one though! If I eat more cake it might be a bit warmer

@Hoglet70 😂
I thought the same about a year ago! I somehow fell in love with swimming last September and has been a pretty dedicated swimmer ever since, 3 times at the pool and now a friend has asked if i want to join her at the lake. I do! But im a wimp when it comes to being cold and I want to actually enjoy it so hoping to give myself the best chance 😂

O’Neill one. Recommend it. It has lasted well.

I've researched them a lot and tried one from Amazon but I think unfortunately I'm just too fat and would need a mens. Do u live anywhere near a surf shop etc where u can try on/get good advice?

Get the wetsuit!!!

I don’t know really, probably not more than £100 just in case I don’t really enjoy it.
I certainly won’t be shaving any time off, I’m a slow dawdler!

Last summer, the weather was awful on our camping and watersports holiday to the Lake District. DDs had wetsuits, we didn't. We stumbled in two, in fantastic condition, in a charity shop for a fiver each. They saved our holiday!

I have no idea how good they are but they have them in Lidl at the moment.

Don’t think so @NecklessMumster - didn’t really think about trying one on for size.
They look really hard to get on so I’d initially thought I’d just size up but someone else made a point about it letting too much water in which I didn’t think about at all…

I do.

I just hope no-one noticed. 🤞

I'd like a wetsuit too, happy to spend decent money on it, but need one to fit a short size 16-18. Any advice? Do you need to wear specific things under it too?

I think there’s a difference between surfing wetsuits and swimming wetsuits. If you’re buying it for swimming you probably don’t want one of the ones you can pick up in a beach shop for £20, they’re not really designed for proper swimming in. (I know little about this other than having a husband who does a bit of open water swimming.)

If it's for summer swimming rather than sailing, look for a flexible one (2 or 3 mm thick, not the chunkier 5 mm), and possibly short sleeves and legs.

Oh god I was going all in with long legs and arms!!

But flexibility is also something I hadn’t considered. Food for thought.

Definitely make sure it's a swimming wetsuit. The surfing ones are far too bouyant and make it almost impossible to swim

Yes I have one for swimming in a lake and yes, you should get one if you plan to swim in a lake! Some hardly folk go without but I think it would be too much ot a shock to the system at fiirst. I don't ever plan on swimming in the lake without a wetsuit.

Make sure you get one that is suitable for triathons (means it's designed for swimming not surfing). Also, most open water swimming sessions have ones to hire for a first session. Might be worth doing that to make sure you like it. Be warned - it's very different to pool swimming!

Yes, doesn't help that I got claustrophobic trying it on either. I'd rather size up, the water layer will warm you up? I ended up with swimming leggings and a rash vest! I felt self conscious in the sea as everyone else was on wetsuits...

I do and I use it sometimes and sometimes not. Im also a open water coach and honestly, it doesn't matter if you do or don't, and people with snobby opinions can do one.

I would say get one which fits well and is swim specific for swimming, the difference in buoyancy panels, absorbency of water due to open/closed pores of neoprene,and the water repellent coating make a WORLD of difference to your swim experience.

Tri wetsuit hire are a great company who recommend different wetsuits to your swim style body shape etc. I recommend lots of clients to them and have a discount affiliate code if anyone wants it for 10% off.

There's a whole range of neoprene gear, silver lined swimsuits and rash vests to tweak your kit to your ideal swim experience.

You need some water to get into your wetsuit (that's how it keeps you warm by creating a layer of water that your body heats up).

I have a DHB swimming wetsuit. I also have a Gul shortie wetsuit which I use for swimming but is more for paddle boarding/windsurfing. Both bought online from Wiggle. I've seen a lot of people in this Zone 3 wetsuit which is on at a knock down price.

Wet suits are for wimps 😂😂😂...

Ds's swimming teacher recommended two barefeet wetsuit, found one cheap on Vinted, perfect.

Totally happy to hold my hands up to that one!!

Mine’s a Gul 5:3 and while it’s nice and warm it’s really hard to get over my ankles and pull up. I only got it as I used to help with a club where I was in the sea for ages twice a week.