Triathlon Wetsuits: Your Questions Answered!

Adam Himmelwright, 2013 We sat down with triathlete, Adam Himmelwright, to answer some frequently asked triathlon wetsuit questions! With seven years of triathlon experience, Adam is a 2015 Eagleman 70.3 finisher and a Great Chesapeake Bay Swim finisher! Are triathlon wetsuits buoyant? Yes, I can definitely feel the difference. Buoyancy is the ability to float. It’s not uncommon for your legs to sink, but first timers will tell you that when they put on that wetsuit and get in the water, they notice that their core and especially their legs are further up in the water. Subsequently, you feel more mobile, a little faster and you create less drag that way. Why wear a triathlon suit? Buoyancy is the most important feature of wearing a triathlon wetsuit. First timers will tell you that wearing a triathlon suit definitely takes the edge off. Warmth is another really practical thing about wearing a triathlon suit, along with movement and mobility. Triathlon suits are as diverse as they need to be in order to best equip you for such a wide combination of elements per transition. How should a triathlon wetsuit fit? A wetsuit should fit snug, like a glove. I like to wear a sleeveless wetsuit as my suit of choice. I like it to be pretty tight; I don’t like to shift around a lot. My first wetsuit rental was way too big, you could actually feel water rushing in through the neck and all the way out through the toes, it created a lot of drag. So, when I actually bought my first suit, I made sure that it was the proper fit to prohibit that from happening again. We’ve even created a nifty how-to guide to better help you choose your wetsuit size! How tight should my triathlon wetsuit be? If your suit is too tight, it’ll be restricting and will compromise your breathing. Once again, the shoulders are the most important aspect in regard to mobility, you need to be sure you can move your shoulders comfortably without it being too loose. As mentioned above, there are tips...

Wetsuit FAQ - Your Wetsuit Questions Answered

Chris and his youngest son Bennett Whether you’ve been in a wetsuit once or a thousand times, no matter your sport or skill-level, you’ve probably thought of a number of practical curiosities regarding wetsuits! For this installment, we sat down with Wetsuit Wearhouse President and CEO, Chris Moleskie, to answer your most frequently asked wetsuit questions! Why are wetsuit zippers in the back? Some wetsuits have zippers in the back of the suit because they’re easier to get in and out of that way. A traditional back-zip wetsuit has a zipper that extends all the way to the tailbone, allowing a nice big opening, easy to get in and out of, unassisted. Some modern surfing wetsuits have modified short-back zippers, about ¾ length that don’t go all the way to the tailbone. They get pretty close, but there’s less room for water to enter, keeping a drier seal. A vertical front-zip suit is ideal for anyone who struggles with shoulder issues or low-mobility. There are also horizontal chest-zip wetsuits which are more watertight, making it a bit more difficult to maneuver in and out of, but are ideal for surfing or windsports. How wetsuit works? Wetsuits keep you warm, they don’t keep you dry. They work by allowing a small amount of water in your suit when you jump in the water the first time. The neoprene, the rubbery material that the suit is made out of, is an insulating material which works in conjunction with your body to heat the water, trapping it against your skin and keeping you warmer while you’re in the water. How a wetsuit should fit? A wetsuit should fit clingy to the skin, kind of like a glove. You’ll know that a suit is too tight if it restricts your breathing, or if you can’t reach upward without it really hunching you over. A suit is too loose if it bunches beneath the arms, chest or waist. A wetsuit that is too big won’t do you any good because it will just flush with water, instead of doing its job to maintain body temperature...

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FAQs

Purchasing a wetsuit requires thought and considerations. Your wetsuit is your number one ally against injury when you’re in the water. It keeps you warm and your skin protected. To accomplish this, the wetsuit you choose needs to be made or the right materials for the type of water you’re going to be in and it must fit properly. At Wetsuit Wearhouse, we receive a lot of surfing questions, SCUBA diving questions, and questions about wetsuits. As a result, we have created this wetsuit FAQ, so you can find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Remember, when you’re informed, you enjoy greater comfort and safety in the water.

Lauren January 4th, 2024

Why Wear a Rashguard?

Why Wear a Rashguard? You’ve learned in a previous post how to buy a rashguard and now you might be wondering... but WHY wear a rashguard? Well, there are actually a few reasons why...

Ryan Hotchkiss November 21st, 2017

Your Top Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part VI

What Is the Purpose of a Wetsuit? Wetsuits are used for water sports and recreation which includes: surfing and wind surfing; river and sea...

Ryan Hotchkiss October 31st, 2017

Your Top Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part V

It's time for our next FAQ installment of top wetsuit questions. By the time you finish this article, you'll be loaded with wetsuit information!...

Chris Moleskie September 7th, 2017

Neoprene Allergies Explained

Neoprene Allergies Explained We rarely get questions about a neoprene allergy, but they are a fact of life for some customers. Keep in mind that we're not doctors, and always consult a physician...

Lauren July 14th, 2017

How Much Does a Wetsuit Cost?

Breaking it Down: How Much Does a Wetsuit Cost? If you've spent any significant amount of time in the water, you've probably worn a wetsuit on numerous occasions. Perhaps you've borrowed one...

Lauren April 20th, 2017

How Are Wetsuits Made? Here’s the Inside Scoop

In this installment of our Wetsuit FAQ series, we talked to Henderson Wetsuits very own Nick Lassor, the Director of Marketing and Product...

Paige Troiano April 5th, 2017

Your Top Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part IV

Hey there, thanks for joining us! We're stoked to sit down with Wetsuit Wearhouse CEO, Chris Moleskie, to tackle yet another round of your top...

Lauren November 7th, 2016

Base Layer: Adding Warmth & Protection

Base Layer 101 Now that cool and cold weather are in full effect, we wanted to point out how/why a base layer is an inexpensive way to boost...

Paige Troiano November 3rd, 2016

Your Top Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part III

For our third FAQ segment, we sat down with Wetsuit Wearhouse customer service rep and triathlete Lindsay Fiedler (aka Fiedsey) to answer...

Lauren October 19th, 2016

Wetsuit Thickness Guide

Wetsuit Thickness Guide When it comes to staying warm and protected in the water, wetsuit thickness matters which is why we've created this helpful, easy-to-understand wetsuit thickness guide....

Lauren September 7th, 2016

Why Do Wetsuit Prices Vary?

If you’ve ever searched the web for a wetsuit, you’ll see a varying degree of wetsuit prices. You might see a 3/2mm full wetsuit that’s $75 and another 3/2mm wetsuit that’s $499. So...

Paige Troiano August 29th, 2016

Your Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part II

For this installment, we sat down with Wetsuit Wearhouse GM, Dave Mentzer, to gain the answers to your most frequently asked questions on all things wetsuits! When should a wetsuit be...

Get Answers to Your Surfing Questions and More

Whether you’re new to water sports or a seasoned pro, you want to have the latest information and technology at your fingertips. Wetsuit Wearhouse’s wetsuit FAQ provides you with the ideal jumping off point to your favorite hobby. We make it easy and enjoyable to learn everything from wetsuit thicknesses to neoprene allergies. If you have wetsuit or surfing questions, check out our FAQ because odds are you aren’t the only one. Wetsuit Wearhouse is here to help you stay safe in the water so you can enjoy the ultimate experience.