Best wetsuits for surfing, scuba diving and triathlons
WETSUITS are a vital piece of equipment for people taking part in most water sports.
Not only do they make you look like a pro, they’ll keep you warm and, depending on which one you get, will increase your performance.
They do this by trapping a bit of water between the body and the rubber of the suit, then warming that water up with your own body heat. Really good suits will prevent ‘flushing’, where the water is replaced by a new, much colder wave of water.
Also, the thickness of the suit depends on the activity you’re doing. A diver will want a suit with over 5mm of thickness. But this will be too thick for a surfer, who needs a lot more manoeuvrability.
At the very least, a wetsuit should protect the wearer from jellyfish, coral and the sun.
Whether you’re a diver or a triathlon runner, our guide runs through the best wetsuits to suit you.
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1. Best surfing wetsuit
O’Neil is a well-known brand in surfing circles because they provide excellent protection while remaining relatively affordable. Their Reactor II suit is 3/2mm and made from a UltraFlex combination neoprene, giving surfers the vital ability to move.
It provides warmth without being too insulating, with a wind-resistant smoothskin chest and back and an adjustable super-seal neck that stops heat from escaping.
- (AD) O’Neil Reactor II Women’s between £69.61 and £98.45 on Amazon – buy here
- (AD) O’Neil Men’s Reactor II between £64.28 and £99.95 on Amazon – buy here
2. Best men’s wetsuit for triathlons
A wetsuit for triathlons has to be durable, light and quick-drying, which is where the 2XU P:1 Propel Wetsuit comes in. The suit boasts a buoyant neoprene material, allowing for better swimming, and the thickness ranges from 1mm to 5mm across the body.
What separates this from the rest is the Super Composite Skin coating. Applied over the neoprene, it repels water when in contact with the air, creating a quicker drying suit. Meanwhile, it has low resistance in contact with water, so you have better movement and decreased fatigue.
- 2XU P:1 Propel Wetsuit between £160 and £170 on Wiggle – buy here
3. Best triathlon wetsuit for women
The Orca TRN Wetsuit is the best fit for triathlons and open air swimming. The suit is designed to give buoyancy over the hips and bottom with 4mm of neoprene, which ensures correct posture while swimming.
The 2mm of neoprene round the shoulders allows maximum flexibility too. Speed transition panels and a YKK zip and cord make it very easy to put on and off, saving time in transitions.
- Orca Women’s TRN Wetsuit for £120 on Wiggle – buy here
4. Best diving wetsuit for men
The Gul Response is great for diving because it offers premium protection while allowing more flexibility. This is due to the X-Flex material in the upper body panels for maximum movement and a durable D-Flex material in the lower body panels.
Not only is it 5mm thick, the lightweight thermal material in the chest encourages blood flow to keep your body warm.
- (AD) Gul Response between £89.95 and £115.25 on Amazon – buy here
5. Best women’s wetsuit for diving
The appeal of Subea’s SCD 100 is that it is designed for women by women, so that it specifically works for women’s needs. Made from 5mm on neoprene, it offers protection and freedom of movement thanks to the anatomic cut of the arms.
It also boasts reinforced knees, which is especially useful while diving. The hood will offer extra heat insulation as well.
- Subea SCD 100 for £79.99 on Amazon – buy here
6. Best children’s wetsuit
Wetsuits for kids have specific design choices to benefit children specifically. Protecting them from UV rays, it features a titanium laminated lining designed to reflect body heat back to provide extra warmth.
Most importantly, the suit is super flexible and soft, providing movement and comfort.
- (AD) Childs 3mm CIC Titanium Shortie wetsuit, TWF, between £14.75 and £16.95 – buy here
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This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.