WEATHERGUIDE
FIND THE RIGHT TYPE OF WEATHERGUIDE
AND USEFUL TIPS TO AVOID FREEZING.
WEATHERGUIDE - A MUST-HAVE
We live in Sweden and no matter how hard we try, it often happens that water and air temperature do not allow water activities without some kind of protection against the cold. This applies to everyone, from surfers during the summer months to enthusiasts who stay out as long as the water is ice-free.
No matter which category you belong to, it is incredibly important that the protection you use against the cold meets your expectations and really fits like a second skin on your body. We at Surfers can help you with your choice.
Choosing the right wetsuit can seem difficult at first. With this simple guide, we want to make it easier for you. Surfers help you find the right one. The properties of the wetsuit are determined by the combination of thickness, fit and extra lining. These factors will determine how warm the suit is and what performance it provides in different temperatures.
- Choosing the right wetsuit
- Zipper on the back, on the chest or none at all?
- Single, double nylon or both?
- What distinguishes an expensive suit from a cheap one?
- Seams and lining
- Area of use
- Size and thickness
- Gloves, shoes and hood
- Surf in warm water
- Care for your suit
- The wetsuit is perhaps the most important piece of your equipment. With the right suit, you will become a better surfer.
A wetsuit is made of neoprene, which is simply a flexible rubber compound. The neoprene varies in thickness, which allows it to be adapted to different water temperatures. Colder water requires thicker neoprene, for better insulation.
The neoprene can have different flexes, which provides better fit and mobility, but the flex does not affect the thermal insulation capacity at all.
Wetsuits are usually a combination of two or three different thicknesses. If you say that a wetsuit is 5/3, you mean that the suit is 5 mm thick. body (to provide warmth to the most vital parts of the body) and 3 mm in the arms (for better movement).
The most common and traditional way is for the suit's zipper to be located vertically on the back. Recently, suits have come with a short horizontal zipper on the chest. chest and also suits without a zipper are available. Today's suits with a short chest zipper or so-called zip free suits are very easy to get in through the neck opening.
Wetsuits with a back zipper are easier to put on and take off. Most wetsuits with a back zipper today have an extra layer of neoprene on the back that acts as a water stop; this protection is often called a ”batwing” (See the image next to it).
The choice of suit material depends largely on what the suit will be used for. Single nylon - Neoprene on the outside with nylon on the inside. These suits are the warmest (because the suit binds less water). Suits in double nylon are even more durable than single nylon suits.
Modern suits in double nylon are today the most sought after. they are flexible, warm and have a good lifespan.
- Why pay 4000 kronor for a suit?
What's the difference?
Today you can buy wetsuits that are really cheap in supermarkets and the like. Our "simplest" suits are significantly more expensive. But if you're honest, the difference is huge. It's not uncommon for customers to come to us and say that they bought a cheap suit and that they froze. We don't even want to call that product a wetsuit - the material in these low-priced suits doesn't trap air like a full suit - which means they're much colder, not to mention how stiff they are.
But what's the difference between a suit that costs 1700 SEK and one that costs 4000 SEK?
Above all, you can say that you are paying for the collar system, fit and elasticity. The most expensive suits have a better collar system which means that less water gets in and therefore it is warmer. They also use a different type of pattern fitting with more curves in the panels which makes the manufacturing process more complicated.
But the absolute biggest difference is in the rubber and the elasticity of the seams. The finest suits are so soft and forgiving that it is difficult to describe - it has to be experienced. Moving in a super soft suit requires less energy - so you become more agile, more durable and more explosive. The more expensive suits also usually have an extra lining that provides extra warmth.
The quality of the The neoprene, the thickness and the possible use of lining make a difference to the weather in the suit. The way the suit is put together and the technique used also affects and makes a huge difference.
1- Glued and taped
You simply put the suit together without using threads. The suit is glued and reinforced with tape. This technique is used today on the most advanced suits. Provides a suit with maximum flex and warmth.
2- Blindstitch stitches
With this option så you glue the parts together, then sew halfway into the neoprene (you don't go all the way through and therefore get a thin seam) A warm and good alternative.
3- Flatlock
Here you sew through two overlapping pieces. This technique gives a strong and durable suit. However, this seam leaks water. Used on simpler suits for use during the summer
4- Overlock
Here you put two edges of the neoprene together and sew them together lightly with thread. The seam looks like on a sweatshirt. This is the cheapest and easiest way to put together a wetsuit.
In our large assortment of wetsuits and accessories you will find suits suitable for surfing, windsurfing, kiting, water skiing and wakeboarding. We have everything from special racing suits and surfing suits that allow surfing even when the water is close to freezing, to cheap suits in good quality for summer water activities. When choosing a suit, it is very important that you make it clear to yourself what the suit will be used for and what requirements you have when it comes to warmth and flexibility.
Remember that the suit should fit like a second skin. Not too small and definitely not too big. Our extensive experience with wetsuits means that we can help you find the right size and suit. On the website you will find size charts for the suits that we sell under each product.
Different thicknesses and suits for different areas of use
Of course, you want to wear as little as possible when you are in the water. That is why there are suits with different thicknesses made using different techniques. An optimal suit for the prevailing conditions is the optimum.
0.5-1.5 mm suits
These garments should not really be called wetsuits. Garments in this thickness protect against chafing and sun while providing a little extra warmth. These thin garments are used in tropical waters but can also be used under a thicker suit as a reinforcement garment.
2 mm suits
Typical 2 mm suits are shorties and long johns. These suits are for those who want a little extra warmth in warmer water. Usually, simpler seams such as flatlock are used in these suits.
3/2 mm suits
These suits are 3 mm thick in the body while the arms are 2 mm. This type of suit is extremely popular for surfers on the Atlantic coast and it works great here at home in the summer. In this category there are very simple cheap suits to really advanced suits. The difference between these is also enormous. A 3/2 suit with simple seams works in warm waters, while the more advanced one with dry seams and warm lining works well into autumn and is excellent in South Africa's 13 degree water.
4/3 mm suits
The 4/3s have become more and more popular in Sweden in recent years. The difference is quite big compared to a 3/2a, where in this suit you get a suit with 3 mm thick neoprene in the arms. The extra mm does a lot for warmth, especially if you are kiting/windsurfing. At the same time, this suit is a little more flexible than a 5/3 suit. Since many people today have a winter suit with an integrated hood, the 4/3 has proven to complement this suit excellently. Remember that seams, neoprene quality and lining also affect the warmth and season.
5/3 mm suit
The best all-round suit in Sweden. If you are looking for a suit that works from early spring to late autumn, then Put your legs on a 5/3 suit with tight seams. Then you get a warm and good suit with a large register. If you then complement it with shoes, a vest with a hood and gloves, you can also ride in winter.
Winter suits with hood 6/5/4 suits
These suits have opened up for a whole new season. As long as the water is open, you can now actually surf without freezing.
These suits are made for really cold conditions and therefore use the best materials and technical solutions available. These suits are available in slightly different thicknesses, with the thicker options being warmer and the thinner ones providing better mobility.
- It is important that you make it clear what the suit will be used for and what your requirements are when it comes to warmth andflexibility.
- The important accessories make the difference.
- A good suit is not enough, but must be complemented with accessories.
SHOES
Wet shoes are mainly used to keep you warm. But they can also be good to have as liners to protect your feet and provide better grip. Wet shoes should fit very tightly – they should definitely not be too big.
Reef shoes
Shoes with a short shaft used to protect the feet. Doesn't really provide any warmth, just protection. Usually 1.5-2 mm thick.
3 mm shoes with a thick shaft
Suitable shoes for Swedish summer and autumn.
5 mm shoes with a thick shaft
The most common all-round shoe for surfing in Sweden.
7 mm shoes with a thick shaft
Thick shoes for surfing in really cold water. Common among surfers in winter.
GLOVES
Gloves and surfing are actually a good combination. But in our conditions it is a bit of a pain when it gets cold. Gloves come in several thicknesses and designs.
Note that gloves have a fairly short lifespan when used by kiters and windsurfers. Most gloves are designed for windsurfers and the soft material (which makes them work so well) is unfortunately not durable enough to last in a boom.
HOODS
A hood is a must when it starts to get cold. They come in a couple of different styles and fit/thickness is what sets them apart.
Surf Cap
A hood that instead of a collar has a small band that holds it in place. Not as warm as a hood, but it provides extra warmth while not feeling as cramped as a hood.
Standard hood
A simpler hood with a small collar.
Pro hoods
Warmer hoods with more panels for a better fit. These hoods often also have a larger collar.
Hood with vest
A hood with a vest is a good combination where you get a warm unit with less leakage in the neck and throat.
RASHGUARD
This is a small accessory that is often forgotten by us Nordics. The rashguard is designed to be worn close to the body to avoid chafing (and protect from the sun). The small investment that the shirt costs can give you a completely new feel from your old suit and become a good sun protection when the weather returns. Today there are rashguards with warm lining. Really nice on the morning surf in Sri Lanka while it provides extra warmth under the suit in cold waters.
Wetsuit in warm water?
I want to end this little guide about wetsuits by writing a few lines about surfing in warm water and giving some tips.
Of course you want to surf/kite and windsurf only in shorts - there is no better way. But if you only have one or two weeks planned, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself from the sun and chafing. Chafing and the sun can easily ruin a week of vacation.
Windsurfing/kitesurfing: Use a rashguard, partly to protect against the sun but also to avoid chafing from the harness.
Surfing: Chafing on the chest and knees is not uncommon when you come to tropical waters. The wax in combination with the salt water can really hurt, and may force you to take one or more days off. That's why we recommend wearing a slightly thicker neoprene shirt/vest and maybe even a pair of tights for the first few days until your skin gets used to it.
When you surf, it's easy to hit reefs or other objects on the bottom. A pair of reef shoes can therefore be good to have, so that you don't have to cut your feet.
Don't forget sunscreen and zinc for your face. 
fresh water and let it dry in the shade for maximum lifespan.
- Do not hang the suit on a hanger when it is wet. Instead, hang it folded on the drying rack. This way you prevent the shoulder area from being damaged when you dry the suit
- The suits (especially those made of single nylon) do not like sharp objects, so Be careful with your nails when putting on and taking off.
- Always open Velcro fasteners and zippers as much as possible before putting on and taking off the suit.
- If you want to wash the suit, do it with wetsuit detergent or lukewarm water and detergent.
