How to Choose the Best Wetsuits for Snorkeling

Preparing for a snorkeling trip? Choosing the right wetsuit can make or break your experience. You’ll experience discomfort and restricted movement during the adventure without proper fit and comfort. With many options available out there, finding the best snorkeling gear can be tough.

This article will discover what factors to consider when selecting the best wetsuits. Keep reading to learn the key factors for choosing the right snorkeling gear.

Why Do You Need the Best Wetsuits When Snorkeling?

Snorkeling exposes you to many things. This includes the sun, the water temperature, and the underwater environment. You can easily get cold even in warm waters without any form of insulation.

At the same time, wearing a simple and regular swimsuit will still expose you to sunburns. You can even hurt yourself because of the coral, rocks, and sea creatures you’ll encounter underwater when snorkeling.

You can protect yourself from these with the right snorkeling wetsuit. This applies even if you’re snorkeling in a warm or colder environment. Plus, wearing one can even improve your mobility in the water because of the known buoyancy benefits of wetsuits.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Snorkeling Wetsuit

Various wetsuits can be used for different water activities. Also, your body shape and water temperature can affect your best wetsuit choice. To find the perfect wetsuit for snorkeling, think about these factors and tips:

Proper Fit

You need the right wetsuit size that isn’t too loose or tight because it can make snorkeling harder. This is because, in such cases, it can slow down your movement in the water. That’s why you need a suit that would fit just like your second skin. It should fit you comfortably and snugly, but they must not restrict your movements.

One way to avoid any size issues with your wetsuit is to refer to the wetsuit’s size chart. Every wetsuit manufacturer may have unique size charts, so when going through your options, always check them. Wetsuits usually come in sizes from small to triple extra large. It's important to measure yourself to determine the right size. Measure your height, waist, and chest accurately.

Thickness

Your protection, especially against the cold, is the most important factor when choosing a wetsuit. Generally, thick wetsuits provide better protection, heat insulation, and buoyancy. However, they can be less flexible when moving. Take note that you don’t necessarily need to go for the thickest wetsuit.

Most 2mm to 3mm wetsuits would be suitable for swimming and snorkeling in 60 to 70-degree water temperatures. Or if you’re snorkeling in colder weather conditions, lower than 60 degrees, go for a 5mm wetsuit. On the other hand, for warmer waters in extremely tropical destinations, a 1mm wetsuit would be enough.

Of course, don’t forget to consider your sensitivity to temperatures. If you have the money and regularly snorkel in different places, you can consider getting wetsuits for cold water and warm water.

Length and Piece

You can usually choose between a spring suit, a full wetsuit, or a short-sleeved one since wetsuits come in different lengths. The short variations are generally used in warm waters. So you won’t be too suffocated with heat while in the water. But this doesn’t mean you can’t wear a full suit in warm water. It can protect your body from coral or rock cuts, rash, and the sun. Just make sure to consider the thickness when doing so.

Snorkeling wetsuits can also come in two pieces. They come in tops and bottoms to give you more flexibility. Having separate pieces will also allow you to adjust your coverage based on the day. Plus, they can be easier to get in and out of than a full wetsuit.

Material

It’s indeed true that most wetsuits are made of neoprene. However, take note that they’re never made with the same material quality. Some manufacturers may add other ingredients when making the wetsuits, and others may add extra methods. Others may even use other materials aside from neoprene, like thermoplastic or spandex.

Make sure you look closely at what materials are used to make the wetsuit you want, and remember to check out its lining too. For your reference, the most common and effective lining is nylon.

Purpose

It would also be best to consider other activities for which you can use the wetsuit. The best snorkeling wetsuit is one that you can use for various activities. Once you’ve experienced snorkeling, you’ll surely be more interested in trying other activities or sports, like surfing. However, remember that they’re only ideal when doing a surface water activity. This means activities where you don’t need to swim deeper, like:

• Recreational swimming
• Paddleboarding
• Surfing
• Kayaking
• Wakeboarding

Remember, the water conditions are different at different sea levels. Deeper levels require different types of gear and equipment. So, if you plan to do something that involves swimming deeper, like diving, you will need a different and thicker wetsuit.

Zipper and Seams

Aside from the material, you also want to check how the wetsuit is made, specifically its zippers and seams. How well are they made? These two affect the durability of a wetsuit as bad zippers and seams can let water seep inside the wetsuit. This can make wearing and using uncomfortable and even damage the wetsuit.

To check and ensure the quality of these two, look for non-slip and sturdy zippers. At the same time, select a suit featuring blind-stitched seams strengthened with waterproof glue. These will ensure that the wetsuit is high-quality and durable. Specifically, this stitching type doesn’t puncture the neoprene material, so it doesn’t create holes where water can seep through.

Wetsuit Accessories

You can also wear your wetsuit with a few other accessories. Some accessories you can get and pair with your suit include:

• Wetsuit Booties: These can keep your feet snug and cozy. They will also protect your feet from corals, rocks, and wildlife. They can even make walking back to the shore easier in rocky areas.

• Wetsuit Gloves: These can keep your hands and fingers warm in the water. It can also protect you from the underwater environment.

• Wetsuit Hood: This can prevent excess heat loss from your head in cooler water. It can also keep your hair under control so you can have better vision while snorkeling.

Additionally, there are more accessories you can explore and use. Depending on your specific needs and preferences, pair them with your wetsuit. This will ensure an easier, safer, and more fun snorkeling time in different conditions.

Conclusion

The best wetsuits are those with a high-quality construction and those that fit you well. To find the perfect suit for your snorkeling needs and wants, consider the size, check the zippers and seams, and choose a thickness. At the same time, you also want to ensure it’s within your budget but without compromising quality.

For some high-quality options, you can visit our snorkeling wetsuit collection. We offer different wetsuits from reputable brands to ensure quality and durability!