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I need a wetsuit for UK-only snorkelling but I’ve no idea where to start. Anyone got any tips, info, brands or styles to recommend etc? Doesn’t need to be mega warm as I’ve always managed without until now so anything will be an improvement. Also, I like the idea of a shorty. Ta for any help.
Just depends how warm you want to be. You don't need any special features. I use a cheap shorty and it is fine in summer if the suns out. 3mm full body if you want to be out in cooler weather. Drysuit and hoody if you want to be out in the winter. I wouldn't over think it with brands and styles. You won't wear it out snorkelling and you don't need much flexibility. Also think about sun protection as its easy to burn your neck and the back of your legs.
Nick - cheers for this. Might be a daft question but I’m guessing 3mm isn’t thick enough to need any weights? I used to dive in a 10mm dry suit which needed a ton of weights to achieve negative buoyancy. Think I’ll get a good too as last week in Northumberland my head was the coldest part of my body. Ta.
You'll be pretty buoyant in any kind of suit. A few kg of lead will make freediving easier but I usually don't bother with any. You can duck dive easily enough and I quite like being a bit floaty.
For UK use I'd go full length, I have a 3/4 and would definitely buy longer next time (body board a couple of times a year at Bantham).
I recommend getting a hood of some description if you are goign to be doing 'proper' snorkling, i.e head under a lot of the time. I remember years ago being taken spear fising and thinking as it was summer i'd just use my winter suit.. my head was freezing, which soon made the rest of me cold too.
Ferrals - right. I was fine for around 30 mins with no suit last week but I do keep my head under the water and do extended duck dives and it was the back of my head that was most uncomfortable. Defo gonna get a good. Interestingly, I could have stayed in the water longer but it was the getting warm afterwards that’s problematic for me - it was taking an hour or longer to warm up properly after each session. Not good.
Definitely get a hood.
Try some on.
Wetsuits are like walking boots, fit is the most important thing, what is a great boot for one person is rubbish for another.
When you try some on, you want something that feels a little too tight, as they will loosen in the water.
If it doesn't fit properly, it doesn't work properly.