If you are a fan of watersports such as surfing, kitesurfing, diving, or any type of water activities, then it might be a good idea to invest in a good wetsuit!
Wetsuits are perfect for those who love being in the water as they protect the skin from sunburn, any injuries, and stingers in the water!
The only problem is finding one that fits just right. Wetsuits are generally very snug to the body, and so they can sometimes be a little uncomfortable.
You just have to hit that sweet spot between just tight enough, and not too tight that you can’t move!
To ensure that you have the right fit, you will have to get the correct sized wetsuit. Luckily, with our guide, you will learn exactly what size wetsuit you should be wearing, and how to size a wetsuit.
How to size a wetsuit
If you want the right size wetsuit, then it is all about the fit. A wetsuit, when properly worn, should fit like a second skin. This means that it should be tight enough that it keeps you really snug inside, but not too tight that your range of movement is restricted.
Therefore, there should be no gaps in the nooks of your body such as under the arms or behind the knees. You will not want a lot of space inside a wetsuit, as you do not want much water to get inside.
A good way to check if the wetsuit is the right size is to ensure that there are no gaps by your lower back. This means that there should be no excess wetsuit where your lower back is, and it should fit tight and closely to the body. This is particularly important in the lower back, as the wetsuit needs to fit well here to keep the kidneys warm.
With your kidneys warm, you will be able to pump warm blood around the body, keeping your body temperature right, and safe in the water. If there is a little loose wetsuit around the arms then it is not the end of the world, you just do not want it to be too baggy.
The wetsuit should also be high and fitted around the neck, so that there is no risk of water getting into and flooding the wetsuit. A little water is unavoidable, but you do not want it so loose that a lot of water can get into the wetsuit and fill up with water.
The most important thing is being able to move in your wetsuit. You should not wear a wetsuit that restricts your range of motion, or prevents you from moving in anyway. This can be highly dangerous when out on the water, so you need one that is tight, snug, yet allows you to be flexible.
What size wetsuit should I wear?
When measuring up for a wetsuit, there is an easy way to check if it is the right size for you. All you have to do is hold the wetsuit onto the back of the user, and check to see if the length of the wetsuit goes from the shoulders all the way to the ankles.
Most wetsuits are made from neoprene, which is incredibly flexible, versatile and molds to the shape of your body. That being said, you should always purchase a wetsuit that is close to your suitable clothing size, so that it is not too tight on your body.
As a rough guide, we can take a look at the O’Neill wetsuit size guides for both women and men.
The great thing about some wetsuit retailers such as O’Neill, is that they offer sizes for regular, small and tall people, so that you do not have to size up or down just because of your height. This ensures that you are wearing your true size.
Women’s O’Neill Wetsuit Size Guide
| Size | Weight | Height |
| 2 | 90-100 lbs | 5’1 – 5’3 |
| 4 | 100-115 lbs | 5’3 – 5’5 |
| 6S | 105-120 lbs | 5’2.5- 5’4.5 |
| 6 | 110-125 lbs | 5’4 – 5’6 |
| 8S | 115-130 lbs | 5’3.5 – 5’5.5 |
| 8 | 120-135 lbs | 5’5 – 5’7 |
| 8T | 125-140 lbs | 5’6.5 – 5’8.5 |
| 10S | 125- 145 lbs | 5’4.5 – 5’6.5 |
| 10 | 130-150 lbs | 5’6 – 5’8 |
| 10T | 135-155 lbs | 5’7.5 – 5’9.5 |
| 12 | 140-160 lbs | 5’7 – 5’9 |
| 14 | 150-170 lbs | 5’9 – 5’11 |
| 16 | 165 – 185 lbs | 5’0 – 6’0 |
Men’s O’Neill Wetsuit Size Guide
| Size | Weight | Height |
| 2XS | 115 – 130 lbs | 5’6 – 5’8 |
| XS | 125 – 140 lbs | 5’7 – 5’9 |
| S | 135 – 155 lbs | 5’8 – 5’10 |
| ST | 145 – 165 lbs | 6’0 – 6’2 |
| M | 150 – 170 lbs | 5’9 to 5’11 |
| MS | 140 – 160 lbs | 5’6.5 – 5’8.5 |
| MT | 160 – 180 lbs | 6’1 – 6’3 |
| L | 170 – 190 lbs | 5’10 – 6’0 |
| LS | 160 – 180 lbs | 5’7.5 – 5’9.5 |
| LT | 180 – 200 lbs | 6’2 – 6’4 |
| XL | 190- 210 lbs | 5’11 – 6’1 |
| XLS | 180 – 200 lbs | 5’8.5 – 5’10.5 |
| XLT | 200 – 220 lbs | 6’3 – 6’5 |
| 2XL | 210 – 230 lb | 6’0 – 6’2 |
| 3XL | 230 – 250 lbs | 6’0 – 6’2 |
Should a wetsuit be baggy?
No, a wetsuit should not be baggy. If there is lots of room inside the wetsuit, then this will allow water to flow in too easily. With water flowing inside, it will slow you down and restrict how fast you can move in the water.
However, a wetsuit that is too tight can make it harder to swim properly, and feel too restrictive.
How do I know if my wetsuit is too small?
A simple way to tell if your wetsuit is too small is to lift your knee up with the wetsuit on. If this pulls a lot around the hips and thighs when you move your legs, then the wetsuit is too tight.
The same goes for if you move your arms. If you feel some pulling, then you should probably go up a size in wetsuits.