There are the following types of neoprene:
- Long sleeve / Long leg
- Short sleeve / Long leg
- Shorty
- Overknee
- Short John
- Long John
Which neoprene thickness is right for me?
- Cold winter, water temperature below 10 degrees: 6 mm
- Transitional season, water temperature 10 to 16 degrees: 4-5 mm
- Summer, water temperature 17 to 22 degrees: 3 mm
As a rule, the thickness of the material is indicated by two numbers, such as 4/3mm or 2/2mm. Here, the first number stands for the thickness of the neoprene in the chest and back area. The second number stands for the thickness of the neoprene on the arms and legs.
Backzip, Frontzip or Freezip?
The backzip is the well-tried variant. With the help of a strap, the zipper is opened and closed at the back.
With the frontzip, the zipper sits horizontally at the chest, which may seem a bit unusual. Thanks to the modern, elastic material, however, the entry works wonderfully and you soon want to wear nothing else. The zipper at the back is omitted, so you don't have to worry about unpleasant pressure points under the harness anymore.
Freezip Neos do without the zipper and offer even more freedom of movement and flexibility, because there is less material on the back.
Which version is right for you also depends on your preferences. All three offer you enough flexibility and heat regulation. Wetsuits with back zips are generally easier to put on. With the frontzip and freezip you need a little practice at the beginning. If you know how to put on these neos correctly, you will be just as fast, if not faster. Very many water sports enthusiasts find a frontzip or freezip more comfortable to wear. Water entry is more or less identical in back and front zip neos. The optimal fit is the deciding factor. Freezips Neos are not quite as tight, but extremely flexible. These are worn more on warmer days.
Smooth skin wetsuits versus wetsuits made of laminated material.
Smooth-skin neoprene, as the name suggests, feels smooth on the outside. As a result, water beads off quickly, reducing evaporative cooling ("wind-chill effect"). Laminated neoprene, on the other hand, has a thin layer of nylon bonded to the outside. This makes the suits more robust and flexible, but they also have a higher heat loss due to higher evaporative cooling. So much for the theory - in practice it is the case that in recent years the laminated materials in combination with great interior insulation have become so good that hardly any differences can be felt. Therefore, the laminated wetsuits have started the triumphal procession and you hardly get pure smooth skin wetsuits for sale.
Why is there such a wide price range for the suits?
This is primarily due to the materials used, such as the neoprene visible on the outside or the inner material. Basically, you can say: the more expensive the suit, the higher the quality and accordingly more pleasant, softer and more flexible is the wearing comfort.
Which brands do we recommend?
All brands in our online store are among the best brands in the neoprene sector. If we were not satisfied with the quality, we would not offer them.
The main differences between the brands are:
- Fit: each brand tailors differently
- Colors or design: aesthetics is definitely important
- Brand image
We carry among others the brands: Prolimit, XCEL and Neilpryde. On request, we can also provide wetsuits of other brands, which we have not listed online. Just send us an e-mail.
