Your Top Wetsuit Questions Answered: Part IV
Paige Troiano April 5th, 2017 Posted In: FAQs
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 wetsuit questions! And don’t worry, if you missed the first few segments of this Wetsuit FAQ series, you can read them here! So, kick back with us as we answer some of your most frequently asked wetsuit questions!
Where to Buy Wetsuit Shampoo?
Wetsuit Wearhouse has an incredible selection of wetsuit shampoo and wetsuit care products. Wetsuit Shampoo is biodegradable and wetsuit safe. It’s much different from any type laundry detergent or any non-wetsuit-specific products around your house that will damage the material of your wetsuit, so absolutely don’t use that stuff! We’ve also got plenty of options in stock, too. More than just shampoo, we carry wetsuit safe shampoo and conditioner blends which clean and condition for heavy users, plus wetsuit odor eliminators and protectants to go the extra mile, aiding your suit in the fight against things like tough odors and even damage from UV rays.
Where to Put a Wetsuit in Transition?
This is a great question that is largely dependent on personal preference, because a lot of triathletes have tested out different methods and transition differently according to what works best for them. From swimming, a triathlete must transition immediately into cycling, so they’re coming out of the water and must be prepared to change into dry cycling shoes and other gear, not to mention find a place to put their wetsuit, since there’s no time to properly fold and store it. There are designated transition areas where the bikes are stored for the next portion of the race, where you’ll see a lot of wetsuits left draped over the bike rack for the time being. Never throw your wetsuit carelessly onto someone else’s belongings or obstruct another participant- huge safety hazard! Any other triathlon questions you have might be answered in our Triathlon FAQ, so check it out!
Which Wetsuit Brand is Best?
That’s a tough wetsuit question! The really cool thing about the wetsuit industry is that brands are pushing one another constantly. First and foremost, we don’t sell any junk at Wetsuit Wearhouse, and we 100% stand behind everything we carry. It does depend on what you’re looking for in a suit and the sport you’re using it for!
-If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, we always recommend HyperFlex and NeoSport. Excellent lines of suits without a lot of marketing fluff.
– The big guys like XCEL and Rip Curl are cutting edge, the best of the best, and always offer new and unique fibers that continue to out-perform previous models!
–Patagonia all the way! Super high end for a real performer, super warm without the bulk, not to mention an unprecedented lifetime warranty, you can’t go wrong!
What Wetsuit Size am I?
Wetsuit sizing is highly dependent on your chest/bust measurement above all else. All of our products listed on our website come with a detailed size-chart that pertains to the specific manufacturer. Choosing a wetsuit size is much different for the ladies than it is for men. Most guys fall under their shirt size which is a typical rule of thumb. Perhaps if they wear a Large T-Shirt, they would hover around the Large Short, Large or Large Tall options once considering their height and weight (after their chest measurement). There’s absolutely no correlation between a woman’s dress size and her wetsuit size. In fact, most often, a woman’s wetsuit will be a few sizes larger. If you have any questions on sizing, our customer service is always available. Sometimes you just need a pals opinion and we’re here for ya!
How Tight Should My Wetsuit Be?
This is definitely a most frequently asked wetsuit question! Your wetsuit should be tight enough that it clings to your body yet moves with you, but without restricting your range of motion, your breathing, or your ability to perform your sport. Keep in mind that the material will start to give once you get in the water, becoming more flexible! If you have a lot of room between your skin and your suit in your underarm or lower back areas, your suit is too big and will swell with water, defeating the purpose of wearing a wetsuit to begin with. This is another area that our customer service is great at offering direction with, so feel free to utilize the resources we offer!
Why Dry Your Wetsuit Inside Out?
The obvious answer is, well, that’s the way it ends up once you’ve taken it off! While we don’t recommend leaving your suit to dry in direct sunlight, sometimes you don’t have another option and we get that. So, if you must leave your suit to dry in the sun, turn your suit inside out so that the sun doesn’t fade the color and damage the material of your wetsuit! Feel free to read more on wetsuit care on our recent blog How to Store a Wetsuit for all of the do’s and don’ts!
What Are Wetsuits Made Of?
Wetsuits are made of neoprene which is a rubbery material, traditionally petroleum based. The industry has been introducing a few different non-neoprene alternatives as of late, which is great for those with skin sensitivities! XCEL features a Limestone Neoprene option, where the main oil-based component is actually a limestone derivative. Not to mention that the lining found in most of their dive and surf suits is a ThermoCarbon and ThermoBamboo blend, using both recycled and bamboo-charcoal infused fibers. Using only naturally occurring resources as a part of their brand initiative is a priority for them, along with Patagonia who recently released their neoprene-free Yulex line of wetsuits made of natural rubber, great for folks with neoprene allergies and great for the environment.
Why Are Wetsuits Black?
Most wetsuits are black, or darker in color, for a few convenient reasons. One, black is the most absorptive color for heat energy from sunlight, making it easier to warm up in the water from all of those sunny rays! The most convenient bonus from an all black or dark colored wetsuit is that it doesn’t show dirt or wear and tear, which is inevitable when you’re out there shredding and doing your thing. Lastly, they’re gender neutral and black looks good on everyone! Don’t forget, we do carry some pretty fun, bold and colorful wetsuits for men, women and kids!
Which Wetsuit for Sailing?
Any combination of flexible wetsuit tops and bottoms will provide flexibility and the convenience of being able to adjust and maneuver, giving you a few versatile options at hand. At the very least, they offer protection from being sprayed. High performance sailors tend to prefer and appreciate technical pieces, like our line of STORMR foul weather gear which features an insulating water-proof finish and is made for maximum durability and comfort!
Still have wetsuit questions that we didn’t cover? Customer service is here to answer your wetsuit questions and more! Give us a ring by phone (866.906.7848), e-mail and/or live-chat! Feel free to leave us your wetsuit questions in the comments below, or even just some lovin’ too, until next time!
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