To ask if you have wetsuit recommendations??

[ParmaViolet44]

Posting for traffic as wasn't sure where else to put it!

We are off on holiday in a few weeks to Cornwall and I am trying to find a wetsuit for my DS (12). He has previously complained bitterly of chafing around the neck of his wetsuits and has had nasty marks so I know he's not just moaning. He usually ends up taking it off after the 2nd day as it's too painful but then that means he doesn't swim as much because he gets too cold.

I know he needs one but I have tried 2 different brands so far and both had the same problem around the neck. I don't have much experience buying them so thought I'd see if there are any keen surfing/swimming MN folks who could recommend something!

I was looking at just bottoms and a some sort of rash vest but obviously that's not going to do much in terms of keeping him warm! It's Cornwall in the summertime so the water isn't completely baltic or anything but certainly cold enough to turn his lips blue!

Has anyone found a particular brand that's more comfortable on kids around the neck? Or any other tips/suggestions that might work? We tried vaseline around the neckline but nothing seemed to help!

Any thoughts very gratefully received!

It's not the wetsuit you need to change - he needs a rash vest or a neck protector. This will help with the chaffing. Also make sure you zip him in and tuck everything under the flap that goes over the zip. It's harder to do on yourself so you need another person really.

Yep, high necked rash vest under the wetsuit

If you can't find a neck protector in a small size, try athletic tape. Not super stylish but does the job

I have always had cheap ones from amazon for my DC and they've been great. Really good value for money in my view

Childs 3mm TIC Shortie Wetsuit Blue Size K07 Age 6-7 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007VCPXDO/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_83m-CbQ3609DV

OH and I use anti chafe cream too at the neck if we're going to be swimming in our wetsuits for a long time.

As prev mentioned rash vest for under the suit.

But also sola brand wetsuit. Very soft and pretty cheap as wetsuits go. About £50. They stretch every way and can be put on wet. And don't need plastic bags on feet to get them on. I got them for the children a few years ago and was so impressed I upgraded mine last summer because I was jealous of theirs being so comfy while I was wrestling into mine behind the car boot.

All wetsuits do this, could be to do with the position of his head when swimming? I normally just put Vaseline on and deal with it but it can be quite painful bless him.

Thanks all, we did try a rash vest underneath (sorry should have said!) but the neck of the rash vest seemed to slip down below the level of the wetsuit so the chafing continued!

It's just him though, my DDs are fine! I'll start looking for some high next rash vests and low necked wetsuits!

I like the sola wetsuits! Just looked them up and they are really nice and not too pricey!
Thanks @complicat3d !!

Put some vasaline around the neckline. Works every time for me!

DD likes the neck on the Gul response wetsuits. Very soft, no seam and doesn't seem to rub. The entry level Gul wetsuits don't have such a comfortable neck.

A good friend is a long distance swimmer and she uses lanolin to prevent chafing. You can buy 100% pure lanolin on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Now-Solutions-Lanolin-Pure-Ounce/dp/B000I1OYNK/ref=sr_1_4?s=gateway&keywords=lanolin&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1559821860&sr=8-4. Might be cheaper than a new wetsuit?

I'm an open water swimmer, and a lot of the long distance swimmers use a buff (the neck tube things) and a healthy dose of vaseline underneath it - really slap it on. It won't pull down under the wetsuit like a rash vest.

I have a silicone neck protector and it is fabulous, but they are pricey just for a holiday

Rash vest with a high neck, or a Buff type tube against his neck.

I also have cut the neck of my wetsuit down a little, just around the front, to make it less uncomfortable there.

If it's only for a holiday, I would just try those.

If he will get a lot of use out of it thought, something like a Long John rather than a wetsuit, with a rash vest under it or a supertherm or polypro type top for extra heat, might be worth a look....like this

My only advice regarding wet suits, is never to have your picture taken in one.
Rarely, if ever, flattering.
HTH

I agree Hazell42. My swim event photos are the most disgusting pictures ever!

Vaseline rots the wetsuit fabric. Get something like sportslick which is ace for chaffing. www.sos-swim.co.uk/sportslick-lubrication Its a gel and has aloe vera in it.

Thank you so much for the advice everyone, much appreciated!

@hazell42 I don't even wear a wetsuit having seen what I looked like in one! I freeze my knackers off going for a swim but honestly I've never seen myself look worse, and I was an 80s child so that's saying something!!

Following as we're off to Wales later this summer.

Are Decathlon's any good anyone?

Dd has had a decathlon and found it fine for general use, just not all day sailing. (We have had a serious selection of wetsuits over the years, from Lidl/Aldi/Primark to Gul/Rooster etc and various in between).