Why You Should NOT Buy

Cheap Wetsuits

Right from the beginning it is important to point out that purchasing a cheap wetsuit is not the same as purchasing a discount wetsuit. Discount wetsuits are top quality products, produced by well-known manufacturers, that are often sold at a wetsuits sale because they are a previous season or style. This is very different from purchasing a cheap wetsuit that is poorly made and won’t live up to expectations. Before even looking at the features that set wetsuits that are cheap from those at the higher end, it must be said that a lifetime warranty can tell you a lot about the quality of a suit. Look for warranties that cover stitching, glue, seals, and zippers. If those things are covered by the lifetime warranty, you can be fairly certain the suit is of good quality.

Neoprene

All neoprene is not created equal. In cheap wetsuits it tends to thicker, rougher, and less durable. Thicker neoprene means that it will be harder to move. So, a cheap wetsuit will offer the same warmth and heat retention at 6 mm that a top-of-the-line model will offer at 3 mm. All else being equal, this translates into restricted motion that requires more energy investment on your part. Why work harder than you have to?

Besides being rougher, neoprene in cheap wetsuits will also be stiffer and less “stretchy.” A wetsuit makes contact with a larger portion of your body, so paying for the smoothness of quality neoprene means a more comfortable experience. If you are in the suit for any length of time, the difference will be noticeable. Smooth neoprene is denser, which is why it is warmer. This increased density has the added benefit of making high end suit warmer in windy conditions than cheap wetsuits. This feature can make a huge difference for surfers.

Stitching and Seams

The seams of a wetsuit take a lot of abuse because they are subject to constant flexing in a huge range of temperatures. They also have to remain watertight while being flexed, which is no easy task. Cheap wetsuits are likely to have fewer panels in order to minimize stitching. This means reduced flexibility and a more difficult experiencing putting the suit on or taking it off.

Besides the sheer number of panels, stitching in cheap wetsuits is often of an inferior quality and technique. There are at least three types of seams used in wetsuits: overlock, flatlock, and blindstitching. Blindstitching is used in the best wetsuits. It has the advantages of being waterproof and more comfortable because it is hidden within the folds and seams of the suit. Because it is watertight, it allows suits to be made with more paneling for greater comfort and flexibility.

Overlock stitching is what is found in cheap wetsuits. It lasts forever, what is not watertight and, because it is not hidden, can dig into the skin and cause irritation and rash. Because these seams are not watertight, they must be minimized. This means fewer panels and a more rigid suit.

Flatlock stitching also is not watertight, but it will not cause rashes like overlock stitching. This may be used in mid-tier wetsuits, which, like a cheap wetsuit, will have fewer panels and be less comfortable.

Fit and Zippers

Comfort is essential in what ultimately amounts to a suit made of rubber. Chafing, scratching, pinching, and binding are all symptoms of a wetsuit that is poorly made. In contrast to cheap wetsuits, those that are well made will be discussed in reviews as being “stretchy,” warm, and easy to put on and off. These are all hallmarks of a good fit.

One excellent point on fit is zippers. Cheap wetsuits will have very few of them because making a warm, watertight zipper is difficult. High end wetsuits will have zippers all over the place, but especially the legs. This makes donning and doffing the suit much easier, especially when it is wet.

On the highest end suits, the neoprene is so flexible that zippers are not even used. These are the warmest and driest suits, but they are also more expensive. Cheap wetsuits will either have back zippers or shoulder zippers. Shoulder zippers are the least comfortable, but also the easiest to install. They are often used on cheap wetsuits because they compensate for a lack of flexibility when donning or doffing the suit. Back zippers are found in all tiers of suits. In cheap wetsuits, they are not watertight.

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