Best wetsuits – Our recommendations for the 9 best wetsuits

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Wetsuits I recommend as top picks (for beginners, intermediate, and elite swimmers)

I have spent countless hours in open water and tested a variety of wetsuits to find the models I can best recommend for every experience level. This includes the cheapest, the most expensive, and everything in between.

The evaluations are based on factors such as buoyancy, protection, material, thickness, suitability for intermediate swimmers, professionals, and children, price and design – as well as my personal overall experience with each model.
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The best wetsuits for beginners and recreational open water swimmers

In this category, I have gathered the wetsuits that I found offered by far the best performance in terms of buoyancy, insulation, and freedom of movement – without costing an arm and a leg. 

These wetsuits are the best suits in the “entry-level category“, meaning the price is low without compromising on essential features. 

All suits comply with current thickness regulations, making them legal for competitions (and internationally approved by World Aquatics/FINA). In addition, they all feature the key qualities of increasing buoyancy, reducing water resistance, and retaining warmth inside the suit. 

Furthermore, they still offer a great degree of freedom of movement, which is otherwise often compromised on budget suits. That being said, they do not offer quite the same flexibility as the most expensive “top-end suits” on the list. 

I recommend these suits for new open water swimmers who want to test the waters and are not yet completely sure if open water swimming is right for them.

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The best wetsuits for advanced swimmers and competitions

If you’ve moved past the beginner stage, have started swimming in open water on a regular basis, and perhaps also compete in open water events, you can benefit from choosing one of the slightly more advanced wetsuits. 

On these wetsuits for advanced swimmers, you will find, among other features, a more advanced type of neoprene. Furthermore, these types of wetsuits are designed with special panels that significantly reduce water drag in critical areas. 

These suits are slightly more expensive, but in return, they offer greater freedom of movement and less water drag. 

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The best wetsuits for professionals

If you are looking for the absolute best of the best in wetsuits, you should go for a high-end suit. In these suits, you will find top-of-the-line technology that provides maximum buoyancy, maximum freedom of movement, and minimal drag. 

Specific types of neoprene are used in different areas of the suit to maximise performance. Elasticity is the top priority, giving you a level of freedom of movement only surpassed by swimming without a wetsuit. Furthermore, the surface of these suits is crafted from specialised water-repellent materials to ensure as little drag as possible. 

These wetsuits are designed with a single goal in mind: the highest possible speed in the water. Nothing else.

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Extra equipment that is ideal to use alongside a wetsuit

Besides the wetsuit itself, there is also a range of products designed to help you enjoy a safer and more comfortable open water swim. Because let’s be honest, we all know that swimming in the sea and lakes can be a chilly experience in Ireland. 

That’s why I’ve rounded up a selection of products below that I regularly use myself during my open water swims. 

Swim buoy (SafeSwimmer)

With a swim buoy – also known as a SafeSwimmer – you gain several advantages. First and foremost, it makes you significantly more visible to other water traffic. It does this because you strap it around your waist with a belt, and it trails right behind you wherever you swim. 

By having this type of buoy constantly floating alongside you, it makes it much easier for boat traffic, jet skis, and other swimmers to spot you. Even if you have brightly coloured sleeves on your wetsuit, a swim buoy will still make you considerably more visible since it stays on top of the water at all times. 

In addition, you will also be much easier to spot for people watching from the shore. 

Beyond the safety aspect, a swim buoy also serves the very practical purpose of letting you bring your wallet, keys, and phone out onto the water thanks to its built-in dry storage compartment. 

Having your phone with you can also be a vital safety benefit, as you can quickly grab it and call for help if you ever find yourself in trouble at sea. 

That makes a swim buoy an absolute must-have whenever you swim in open water, regardless of the season. 

On top of that, a swim buoy is an affordable investment – especially considering your personal safety. 

High-visibility swim cap

The vast majority of us wear a swim cap when swimming in the pool. And even more people wear a swim cap in open water. 

Besides protecting your hair, the swim cap also serves the purpose of making you easier to spot in the water. Just like a swim buoy, provided you remember to use a swim cap in bright, vibrant colours that are easy to see. 

I personally use this swim cap in orange, as orange in particular makes it exceptionally easy to spot in dark water.

So besides looking after my hair, it also helps me stay visible to other water traffic. 

Colours like yellow and pink are also great choices that are easy to spot in the water. On the other hand, steer clear of colours such as blue, grey, black, or other dark shades. They quickly blend in and disappear against the dark water. 

Neoprene boots, cap, and gloves

Particularly during the shoulder seasons—meaning spring, early summer, late summer, and autumn—I use neoprene boots, a neoprene cap, and gloves. They help keep me warm in the water, which in early and late parts of the year isn’t at the most ideal temperature for staying in for long periods. 

I am especially fond of the cap and foot protection, as they truly extend the amount of time I can spend in the water during the shoulder seasons. The gloves, however, reduce your feel for the water slightly, so I only use them when the water is cold enough that I feel they are necessary. It is a matter of personal preference though, and if gloves help you stay in the water longer, they are definitely worth the investment. 

Please also note that neither gloves, caps, nor boots are permitted for use during official competitions. Gear like this is therefore purely for training purposes, for which it is exceptionally well suited. 

The neoprene swim cap I use is this one from Orca. The neoprene gloves I use are these from Zone3. And the boots I use are these neoprene swim socks from Zone3.

See prices, reviews, and pictures of the recommended neoprene accessories here

Triathlon goggles

When I swim in the pool, I don’t need much peripheral vision. On the other hand, I really need it when swimming in open water so I can better navigate, spot other swimmers, boats, or potential hazards. 

Traditionally, pool goggles don’t offer a particularly wide field of vision. Triathlon goggles, however, have a larger frame with wider lenses that help provide a broader view. 

In addition, triathlon goggles usually come with Smoke, Mirror, or Polarized lenses, all of which help prevent glare from the sun. 

Ever since I started using tri-specific goggles, it has made a world of difference for my open water swimming. And I’m certain they will do the same for you. 

The goggles I use for open water swimming are these Aqua Sphere Kayenne.

Why do you need a wetsuit for your open water swimming?

Thousands of years ago, entire groups of people migrated across Europe and settled in cooler northern climates. What they didn’t realize back then was that a few thousand years later, their descendants would take to the surrounding waters and lakes for sport. 

This is despite the fact that Irish waters are, for most of the year, far too cold to stay in for long periods without the risk of hypothermia. 

Fortunately, wetsuits have since been invented to help swimmers stay warm for hours in the water. Moreover, wetsuits have the added advantage of providing significant buoyancy, keeping you much more streamlined in the water. 

In short, a wetsuit offers the following benefits:

• Helps you stay warm in the water
• Reduces water resistance thanks to the smooth surface of the suit
• Provides increased buoyancy, benefiting beginners, intermediates, and experienced swimmers alike
• Protects you against jellyfish stings
• Extends the season for open water swimming

In particular, the buoyancy and reduced water resistance mean it is not uncommon to shave two minutes off your usual time over 1,000 metres. And for some swimmers, even more.

What is a (good) wetsuit made of?

The fact that buoyancy and reduced drag can take a substantial chunk off your normal swimming times brings me to the next point: What is a wetsuit actually made of that gives it such great properties?

Well, the answer is short and simple. It is made of neoprene and nylon. 

The primary material used in a wetsuit is neoprene. Neoprene has a very smooth outer surface, which allows water to glide past more easily, reducing drag as you swim through it. 

However, the greatest strength of neoprene—at least when it comes to speed in the water—is that it contains countless tiny air bubbles inside, naturally pulling the suit towards the surface and giving you buoyancy. 

Among other things, this buoyancy keeps your legs from sinking, which would otherwise be the main cause of drag. 

In addition, neoprene is insulating, helping your body retain heat much more easily. 

On the other hand, neoprene is quite a fragile material. That is why nylon is also used in a wetsuit—simply to reinforce it so it doesn’t tear when you pull it on. 

A select few suits are made entirely of Lycra from top to bottom, inside and out. However, these provide no buoyancy and are mostly used for spearfishing in tropical waters, where the main purpose of the suit is protection against the sun and jellyfish. 

So for open water swimming, both here in the cooler Irish waters and in warmer waters further south, a traditional neoprene wetsuit is by far the best choice.

How thick should my wetsuit be?

With the material and its properties covered, it’s time to take a closer look at the thickness of the suit itself. Wetsuits come in different thicknesses, each with its own pros and cons. 

In short, wetsuits are generally available in 3, 5 or 7-millimetre thicknesses. These are certainly the primary standards. Each thickness has its own distinct advantage, but with that advantage also comes a drawback. 

Pros and cons of a 3 mm wetsuit:

Pros and cons of a 5 mm wetsuit:

Pros and cons of a 7 mm wetsuit:

Keeping these pros and cons in mind, why not just go for the middle-of-the-road 5 mm thickness, which gives you a bit of the best of both the thinnest and thickest models? 

That is indeed what many open water swimmers do. However, there are still ideal use cases for each wetsuit thickness, which I will outline for you here:

What are the different thicknesses used for?

• The 3 mm suit is primarily used for triathlons and open water swimming competitions. In race situations, the most important thing is moving as fast as possible. Since time spent in the water during competitions is usually quite limited compared to training sessions (where you might also take breaks along the way), insulation is not the main priority. Flexibility, on the other hand, is key, as it allows for the most natural and effortless swimming stroke, which ultimately results in higher speed.

• The 5 mm suit is primarily used for training, as it offers better thermal insulation than the 3 mm version. During training, top speed isn’t as critical as it is in competitions, so most swimmers are happy to retain a bit more heat at the expense of speed. However, the 5 mm is still a great choice for racing during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), when the water is relatively chilly.

• The 7 mm suit is primarily used by divers, as the need for full range of motion is not as critical as it is for triathletes and open water swimmers. Remember, the thicker the suit, the more it restricts your movement. Furthermore, divers are not constantly moving underwater, which means the body produces less heat through physical exertion. Therefore, when diving, it is essential to have a suit that provides excellent thermal retention.

Which thickness is best for you?

With the properties and uses of the different thicknesses established, the choice for divers is fairly straightforward. If you are a diver, all else being equal, you should choose the thick suit. 

On the other hand, if you are a triathlete or open-water swimmer, the choice is between 3 mm and 5 mm, primarily due to the need for a balance between freedom of movement and buoyancy. 

Fortunately, manufacturers have cleverly combined the two thicknesses in most suits. Around the shoulders and arms, where maximum flexibility is essential, 3 mm neoprene is used. Meanwhile, on the legs, chest, stomach, and hips, 5 mm neoprene is used to increase buoyancy without compromising freedom of movement around the shoulders and arms. 

In my opinion, a wetsuit combining 3 mm neoprene around the shoulders and arms with 5 mm neoprene around the legs, stomach, hips, and back is the absolute best type of wetsuit for triathletes and open-water swimmers.

Please also note that if you plan to use your wetsuit for both national and international triathlon and open-water swimming competitions, the suit cannot be thicker than 5 mm. More on that further down in the section on wetsuit regulations.

Wetsuit regulations

If you want to use your wetsuit in competitions governed by Triathlon Ireland (or equivalent national bodies), there are very clear rules regarding when you can wear it. This applies to dedicated triathlon events as well as general open-water swimming competitions, Swimrun events, and other open-water swimming races. 

These rules stipulate when wearing a wetsuit is mandatory and when it is permitted or prohibited. The rules also state how thick a wetsuit is allowed to be for competitive use.

You can find the rules here, but I have listed the most important points below:

General rules for the use of wetsuits under Triathlon Denmark (DtriF):

• Rules for water temperatures below 14 degrees: It is very rare for events to take place during seasons when the water temperature is below 14 degrees. However, should it happen in the off-season or for inexplicable reasons during the summer, the swim distance may either be shortened or cancelled entirely. If the swim is not cancelled even though the water is below 14 degrees, wetsuits are mandatory. 

• Rules for water temperatures between 14 and 22 degrees: Wetsuit use is mandatory.

• Rules for water temperatures above 22 degrees: It is very rare for the water in Ireland to exceed 22 degrees, but if it does, wetsuits are prohibited. The risk of overheating in the suit simply becomes too great. 

Maximum thickness of wetsuit: A wetsuit you intend to use in competitions may be a maximum of five millimetres thick anywhere on the suit. If your wetsuit has specific areas where it exceeds 5 millimetres in thickness, it is strictly forbidden to use and you will not be allowed to start.

How to best put on and take off your wetsuit

If you have tried putting on and taking off a wetsuit even once before, you know without a doubt that it can be quite a hassle. Both putting it on and taking it off. At least if you want to take proper care of it. 

It is the neoprene that makes it so difficult to get on and off, but conversely, it is also that snug fit against the body that allows the wetsuit to help you move quickly through the water. 

It obviously takes quite a bit of practice before you can put on and take off a wetsuit in your sleep. Even after several years of open water swimming, I can still struggle a bit with it. But it has gotten much better the more practice I have had, so practice really does make perfect here. 

As a general rule, I would recommend taking it easy and giving it all the time it needs. The neoprene in a wetsuit is quite delicate, so if you are too eager, you can easily end up poking holes in it. And that would be a shame on a brand-new wetsuit.

Once you have the wetsuit on, it also has to come off again. And in triathlon competitions where every second counts, there’s no time to fiddle around carefully removing the suit. 

Here, it is simply important to remove the wetsuit in the right steps. To help with this, two of Denmark’s best triathletes have made a video that illustrates the process very well. 

Essentially, you just push your goggles up onto your forehead as soon as you exit the water, unzip your wetsuit, and pull it down off your upper body so it hangs around your hips while you run. Then take off your swim cap and goggles the moment you enter the transition area, after which you strip the rest of the wetsuit off your legs as soon as you reach your transition spot. 

It takes practice, and many of the top triathletes can take off the suit while putting on their bike helmet. They do this to save as much time as possible in the transition zone, allowing them to get out onto the bike course faster. 

Practice makes perfect. Practice it many times at home, and it will go smoothly on race day.

Wetsuit maintenance

A wetsuit can quickly become an expensive investment, which is why we all want to get as much life as possible out of our suits. There is no doubt that a wetsuit is a delicate piece of gear, but if you follow my six tips below, you will significantly extend the lifespan of your new suit. 

I follow my own advice to the letter, and it really works. 

Six tips to extend the lifespan of your new wetsuit:

1. Rinse the suit both inside and out with fresh water immediately after use. If you swim in salt water and there is no fresh water nearby, head straight home and rinse it in the shower.
   
2. Hang the suit to dry inside out, ideally on a hanger
   
3. Once the suit is dry, turn it right side out again so the outside is—well—the outside. Hang it on a hanger and avoid letting it get crumpled up
   
4. Avoid using sharp fingernails when putting it on and taking it off. Nails easily cause tears in the neoprene, so nails directly against the wetsuit are a no-go. A great tip is to wear thin cotton gloves when putting the suit on and taking it off, ensuring your nails never come close to the neoprene
   
5. Take your time putting the suit on and taking it off. If you rush—especially when putting it on—it is easy to tear the thin neoprene if you pull too hard
   
6. If you happen to get a hole in your suit—and you can be sure that will happen at some point, for one reason or another—you can easily patch the holes using special neoprene glue

If you follow every single point to the letter, there is no doubt you will significantly extend the lifespan of your new wetsuit. 

How to repair your wetsuit

If bad luck strikes and you get a tear or a hole in your wetsuit, it can usually be repaired. Fortunately, because it would be a shame to throw away a wetsuit worth several hundred euros over just a single hole or tear. 

Whenever I have managed to tear or put a hole in my own wetsuit, I have followed the video guide below to repair the damage. And it works. 

Best of all, it is a fairly simple job that only requires a permanent marker and a tube of neoprene glue. And of course, your damaged wetsuit. 

What wetsuit size do you need? – I have gathered size guides from the major brands here 

The size of your new wetsuit is absolutely essential for getting the most out of its features. If the wetsuit is slightly too small, it will feel too tight around the shoulders and arms, restricting your freedom of movement. It will also make it harder to breathe properly. 

If the wetsuit is too large, on the other hand, it will let water in more easily. This causes discomfort as cold water enters the suit, and small pockets will automatically form inside the suit itself (typically under the arms and in the groin area), where water gathers and thereby increases drag. 

That is why it is important to choose the right size, which, on the other hand, can almost be a science to figure out. 

However, below I have gathered links to the major brands’ size guides, making it easier for you to find out which suit size to choose based on your own measurements. 

Please note that these size guides are based on height and weight, which is usually a fairly accurate indicator of the size you need. If you happen to fit into several different sizes, a good rule of thumb is to go for the one that best fits your weight among the suits that match both your weight and height. 

Your circumference is usually the decisive factor in how well the wetsuit fits. So in this case, height is more secondary. 

Links to size guides from the major brands:

• Size guide for Orca wetsuits 
• Size guide for TYR Hurricane wetsuits
• Size guide for Speedo wetsuits
• Size guide for Aqua Sphere wetsuits: For men here and for women here

When you try on a wetsuit for the first time, it is important to feel how well it fits your body. And the most important thing here is that it sits snugly around the neck. If you can barely fit your index finger between the wetsuit and your skin, it fits correctly. 

If the suit does not fit snugly around the neck, cold water will constantly flush through. That destroys the insulating effect of the wetsuit, which is far from ideal. 

By the way, it is completely normal for a wetsuit to feel very tight on land. Once you get into the water, a small amount of water will naturally enter the suit, causing it to expand slightly so it becomes more comfortable. 

Therefore, the first thing you should do with your new wetsuit is to jump into the water with it. That is where you can truly feel whether the size is right or not. 

Should I buy, rent, or borrow a used wetsuit?

If you are completely new to open water swimming, it can be very tempting to try out the discipline with a used wetsuit before investing in a brand new one. In itself, it’s not a bad idea, as buying, renting, or borrowing a used wetsuit is an inexpensive way to find out if open water swimming is for you. 

However, the open water swimming experience won’t be quite the same in a used suit compared to a new one. Just like with shoes, a wetsuit adapts to the user over time, which doesn’t take much more than a few uses.

When you slip into a used wetsuit, it is therefore practically guaranteed not to fit you the way it would if it were new. It will have shaped itself to the previous user(s), who might share your height and weight, but have a completely different build. 

If you rent a wetsuit, you should also be aware that it is rarely possible to test the suit before an event, unless you rent it for several days (which can quickly become expensive). 

A good rule of thumb is that you should never use new gear during a competition unless you have tested it during training beforehand. And if you rent a wetsuit for race day, it will be impossible for you to try it out in advance. 

It can therefore be a bit of a gamble with a used wetsuit, where your experience can go either way. Regardless of whether you buy, rent, or borrow a used suit. 

Reduce friction and prevent chafing: Use Body Glide when swimming in a wetsuit

If you’ve previously done a longer swim session in a wetsuit, you’ve probably experienced chafing from the suit. Especially on the back of your neck. I have certainly experienced that plenty of times. 

Since I started using Body Glide, however, it’s very rare that I get chafing. When it happens, it’s usually because I didn’t apply enough in the right spots. 

Chafing occurs from the friction between your skin and the wetsuit, which inevitably happens as you rotate in the water, turn your head, or sight ahead. It really can’t be avoided when the wetsuit fits as snugly as it’s supposed to. 

By applying a generous amount of Body Glide to the most critical areas—primarily the back of the neck, throat, wrists, backs of the knees, and ankles—you significantly reduce friction. Think of it like a dry bike chain versus a well-lubricated one. The lubricated one runs much more smoothly with less resistance. 

The same applies to the contact between your skin and the wetsuit. By applying Body Glide to the areas most prone to chafing, the suit glides more easily over your skin and you avoid those annoying chafe marks. 

It is crucial, however, that you use dedicated anti-chafe balm like Body Glide. Over the years, I’ve seen many open water swimmers use Vaseline, but that really isn’t a good idea. 

Vaseline certainly helps in the moment, but it washes away relatively quickly in the water, leaving you back at square one. In addition, Vaseline is harmful to wetsuit materials, so you’ll also gradually ruin your suit. 

If you do triathlons, there’s also a bonus to using Body Glide: by applying a good layer to your wrists, ankles, insteps, and the outside of the lower legs of the wetsuit, taking off the suit becomes much quicker and easier. That will save you precious seconds in transition. 

Therefore: If you’ve been using Vaseline until now, stop and switch to Body Glide instead. Both your skin and your wetsuit will thank you for it.

Body Glide can also be purchased here.

Different types of wetsuits for different purposes – what will you be using yours for?

The vast majority of this guide has focused on wetsuits for swimming, with very little mention of other types of wetsuits. However, the range of uses for the many different types of wetsuits is quite broad, so to wrap things up, I’ll explain a bit about the different types of suits and what they are used for. 

Wetsuits for triathlon and open water swimming

Dedicated open water swimming requires a warm and flexible suit that helps you stay in the water for long periods and maintain as natural a swimming stroke as possible. These suits are generally 5 millimetres thick or less and feature a zip on the back. 

The zip usually fastens from the top down on high-end race suits, but many suits also zip up from the bottom. 

Since dedicated race suits always feature quite thin neoprene, their lifespan is also typically somewhat shorter than that of thicker, more affordable suits. It is therefore worth considering whether you should get a thin (and expensive) race suit for use in competitions, and a cheaper, slightly thicker suit for your day-to-day training. 

Performance doesn’t matter as much during training. And with an affordable, durable suit for training alongside an expensive, more delicate suit for race day, you’ll feel like you’re flying across the water during competitions when wearing the high-end suit.

Wetsuits for regular scuba diving

A wetsuit for scuba diving differs significantly from a swimming wetsuit in its choice of materials and where they are placed. Neoprene between 3 and 5 millimetres is still used, but nylon is often incorporated around the neoprene. 

The exterior is often made of standard nylon to protect the neoprene, while the inner lining against your skin will feel plusher and softer to ensure maximum comfort. 

Like a swimming wetsuit, a wetsuit for regular scuba diving is a full-body suit.

These suits are often used in water temperatures of at least 25 degrees, which is very rare in Ireland. However, they can be used effectively for shorter dives of under 30 minutes or during dive training, where plenty of movement and activity help you stay warm. 

In Irish conditions, using a drysuit is recommended if you plan on doing deeper dives, such as exploring wrecks or reefs. The deeper you go, the colder the water gets. In these situations, a drysuit will keep you much warmer than a traditional scuba diving wetsuit.

Wetsuit for spearfishing

Unlike a traditional diving wetsuit, a spearfishing wetsuit stands out by being two-piece, having an integrated hood, and having no zip. 

It is very tight-fitting and usually needs to be put on using water and soap. 

Insulation is paramount, which is why 7 mm thick neoprene is typically used in Ireland. This means that freedom of movement is not particularly great, but in return, it helps keep the spearfisher comfortably warm almost all year round. 

On the other hand, the reduced freedom of movement means that even standard arm strokes, as seen in breaststroke or front crawl, are quite difficult. Propulsion is therefore primarily achieved through kicking. 

A spearfishing wetsuit often features reinforced knees and elbows, and it frequently includes a loading pad on the chest. 

Wetsuit for freediving

When it comes to freediving, the most important thing is being able to achieve a long, effortless glide. A freediving wetsuit is therefore often very tight-fitting in order to be as streamlined as possible. 

Thermal insulation, on the other hand, is not a key property, as freedivers are limited in how long they stay underwater at a time. Buoyancy in a freediving wetsuit is also not the main priority, as it will simply pull the freediver upwards. 

These suits are therefore designed for three purposes: to achieve as long and effortless a glide as possible, to provide good freedom of movement for powerful breaststroke kicks and pulls, and to help keep the freediver’s core stable to remain as streamlined as possible. 

Wetsuits for children (sun suits)

A kids’ wetsuit, as most people know it, is often a slightly misleading term. Frequently, it is not the properties of a wetsuit that parents are looking for, but rather UV protection. That is why most of these suits are called sun suits.

Sun suits certainly provide plenty of UV protection, but the amount of neoprene in these suits is relatively low, meaning they do not offer much warmth. A sun suit is therefore primarily suitable for use on the beach or by the pool in warmer climates. 

Sun suits often feature short arms and legs (most commonly on suits for children up to 6 years of age), which means the insulation of these suits is very limited. In return, they provide a bit of buoyancy, which can be reassuring for both the child and parents. 

From age 6 and up, it is easier to find proper wetsuits that fully cover both arms and legs. This significantly improves insulation and can help extend the beach and pool season considerably. 

We have put together a comprehensive guide to the best wetsuits for children, which you can see here.

Where can you buy your new wetsuit?

There are now quite a few retailers selling wetsuits, so it can be difficult to figure out where to shop. 

At Watery.ie, we generally offer low prices and a product range that is carefully selected with a focus on quality. The company is backed by a former elite swimmer, which helps ensure that the gear meets the demands of many water sports enthusiasts. This provides peace of mind when investing in a new wetsuit – which is often a major expense.