wetsuit for swimming

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Hi, can someone recommend a swimming wetsuit please? I will be sea swimming from May, have been advised I will need to wear a full length wetsuit for this. Ideally a specific one for swimming rather than a surf wetsuit. And as cheap as possible. thanks.

Don't really have advice - but do you have a Decathlon near by? I find it very useful when I don't know what I need. Cheap enough (sort of) to make a mistake, staff can help with questions and can see what's on offer.

Well, the wetsuits are not cheap enough to make a mistake... but they do have swim Vs surf ones.

This one is a bargain but they've sold out of most sizes now
https://zone3.com/products/womens-aspect-breaststroke-wetsuit?variant=38059597365421&dfw_tracker=153765-38059597365421&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuLShBhC_ARIsAFod4fLSN_TEZfcqDbYJpK26PuuKGfTBONR3Y-yZydM0xfHEjfppiVGZYoMaAqgGEALw_wcB&fbclid=IwAR3okyFIMcQzeEd7NE2SsJG3ycniqn00udd5Xl74ljypeYaHQ7P3-kGfodE

Decathlon and Alpkit are reasonably priced. Wiggle also have an eBay outlet Tri-sports-resort or similar - suits which have been tried on and returned, I had a bargain from there.

If you are not sure if you are going to be swimming regularly you can hire one from quite a few companies. I used to do this when the kids were younger and did triathlon.

Sportpursuit have quite a few at reduced prices at the moment - you need to sign up to see them but it's generally pretty good value and I have got a fair bit of triathlon kit on there.

Have a look on eBay there’s a big difference between the proper swim one and the type u see in Aldi and sports direct

proper swim one are more flexible around the arm to allow easy movement cheap ones chaf

you can get them from £70 to £100 dearer ones have buoyancy pop Abel’s to position you in water

inly thing with 2nd hand people do have a piss in them to get warm when they first set off water more or less constantly flushed through them so it wouldn’t bother me

it’s wrong time of you later in loads sell off ex hire ones

don’t waste your money 0n £30
Also get a tow float so u can be seen and something you can rest in in f you get tried there best £10/15 you’ll spend

enjoy fine it for years live near the sea some brave enough to do it without wetsuit normally 65 plus women hard as nails lol

primark did a dry robe look a likely for £45 last year

How long do you intend to swim for? Sea only or river and sea? Mid may-mid October you'd probably get away with 3mm, but if this might be year round and river swimming you might want 5mm one.
One piece generally warmer than two. Next do you want one that does up at the front or back?
I'd be tempted to go for a good second hand one in the first instance.

Don't get anything less than 3mm. It just won't keep you warm

Thanks all, I have signed up for a sea swimming course starting in may and they require me to have a full length wetsuit to take part. I'm hoping to keep swimming year round afterwards, but need to see how it goes. I occasionally swim in rivers on holiday and don't wear a wetsuit, but only stay in for short periods.

Decathlon seeem to start at £100 for the swimming ones which seems quite a lot but maybe I just need to bite the bullet.

I don't mind second hand but would worry about not being able to rerun it if it doesn't fit. I am short with boobs so not a classic wetsuit shape.

@DonttouchthatLarry that one looks great but unfortunately not my size (I'm 10-12).

I will have a look at the other recommendations, thanks.

Alpkit are good swim wetsuits as a starter, although hiring is a really good idea if its possible. The best fit for me is Orca, though I have a Zone 3 (but the zip drives me nuts on that). The vast majority of the summer season (May to October) I don't wear a wetsuit though, or just a shorty style like the 2BareFeet Arabella.

Forgot to add gave a look for local Facebook groups or tri clubs ask odd anyone selling one

be careful putting it on put socks over your hands or thin cotton gloves your can take chunks out of it with finger nails

I have a cheapy sleeveless full-length from Decathlon which I use sometimes for swimming (and for other watersports inc scuba diving) and am perfectly happy with.

But do have a browse on Wiggle
Wetsuits | Swim | Wiggle
What they stock usually performs very well, and they have a range of prices from £60ish to over £300

I've got a Zone 3 Advance which I love - they also do some cheaper models which might be worth a look at? But if you're planning on doing it longer-term, maybe good to invest in a decent one now.

I wouldn't worry about being short, it's easy enough to trim the legs down, dd is short, I have regularly trimmed her wetsuits down to size! You might find a two piece fits better though, they aren't quite so warm, but dd finds it easier getting in and out of them. She does wild swimming throughout the year so has a very thick 5mm one, and then a 3mm for summer...but she river swims which is much colder than the sea!

I think I need to buy rather than rent as I will be swimming weekly (if the weather improves!).

I'm looking at wiggle now, lots on there so thanks for the recommendation.

Considering this one:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/zone3-womens-venture-wetsuit

Or maybe this one

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-moda-womens-wetsuit

decisions...

The Orca S7 Triathlon Wetsuit is a popular choice among swimmers. It is designed specifically for swimming, offering excellent flexibility and buoyancy. The wetsuit features Yamamoto neoprene construction, which provides a good balance of flexibility and durability. It has a full-length design, ensuring maximum coverage and protection in colder water temperatures geometry dash bloodbath

Thanks for your reply. I went for the zone 3 in the end and it has been fine (so long as no one takes a photo of me in it!).

I thought I would hate wearing a wetsuit, but I do like the fact that I can stay in the water for so much longer.

How tall are you Op? I’m 5’9” and so find the all in ones very restrictive so I wear a two piece - wet suit jacket and wetsuit leggings. I love them as they are so much easier to move in and easier to put on and get off. The only issue I found is getting a decent thickness (you don’t want less than 3mm - 5mm+ for winter).

That's a good point, I'm 5'2 and the zone 3 is a good fit, so I can see that taller women would struggle!