Are you ready for your first wetsuit? Or do you already have a wetsuit and are you ready for a new one or the next step?
In the buying advice below we explain well how you can buy the best wetsuit for swimming.
Wetsuit for swimming or surfing
First a small warning: at ASW we only sell wetsuits to swim in open water or during a triathlon. Is a swim-altituisnot Suitable for surfing or kiteboarding. That has to do with the material. A wetsuit for swimming is tighter and the outside is specially made for swimming. When using surfing, a swim-altituum will irreparably damage. Conversely, you can't swim so well in a surf-watchuit, because it is looser and of stiffer neoprene. ASW is only an expert for wetsuits for swimming.
Open water and triathlon: different use
What do you want to use your wetsuit for? For swimming of course! We understand that. It makes a difference whether you want to swim in for a short or long time, quiet or fast, brost-crawl or breaststroke and whether or not competitions, such as triathlons.
The ideal wetsuit for you is therefore almost customization, especially when you see how many brands, types and price ranges we offer. Below more info to help you on your way.
Wetsuits for Women and gentlemen
At ASW we have wetsuits for Women and gentlemen. Always choose a wetsuit that suits you best, because gentlemen and Women have another physique.
Breaststroke or breast crawl
A first distinction is the special wetsuits for breaststroke.
Do you only swim breaststroke? Then choose a special wetsuit for breaststroke. That makes it easier to make the battle due to more mobility and less buoyancy in the leg pieces. You want to avoid that buoyancy. Because you are a bit more slanted in the water during breaststroke.
Do you swim or do you want to go swimming breast crawl in your wetsuit? Then you choose a "normal" wetsuit. A wetsuit will even help you to swim better and faster breast crawl, because with the buoyancy of a wetsuit you can stay in the water more easily.
Budget
Do you already have a budget in mind? At ASW we only sell wetsuits from the best brands and the highest quality. Only your budget makes a lot of difference to the characteristics of the wetsuit. For example, a more expensive wetsuit has been made of smoother neoprene, so that you can swim in it easier and faster.
For Wetsuits, there are roughly three price ranges:
- Entry class: ideal as a first wetsuit or for recreational open water swimming. The prices range from around € 180 to € 250.
- Middle class: clearly a step higher, smoother and better neoprene. Suitable for swimming further and longer in open water. Do you start triathlons? Then you prefer to buy a wetsuit in this price range from € 300 to € 550. At ASW we sell most wetsuits in this middle class.
- Top class: are you going for the very best performance and are you a good swimmer? Then you choose a wetsuit from this price range from € 600.
Starting a triathlon
Do you also start triathlons in your wetsuit? Then we also have a wetsuit in every budget. We often recommend a wetsuit from the middle class. We do this because as a triathlete you often find your performance important. A wetsuit from the middle class therefore offers you the opportunity to keep improving. Did you know that with a well -fitting wetsuit you can swim up to 15 seconds per 100 meters faster? That has to do with the extra buoyancy of a wetsuit. You only achieve that advantage with a wetsuit with the right fit and quality. Therefore always be advised by us.
Determine the right size
The right size of a wetsuit for swimming is important. Only then will you be able to swim well and nicely and get the best performance out of it. A swim-altituis should be tight, preferably as tight as possible as a second skin, but of course it should not be uncomfortable!
The size is determined by your height, your weight and the fit of a brand or type of wetsuit. We usually look at your ideal size in this order:
- Your height
- Your weight
- Your physique, such as a slender, sturdy or muscular construction, breast size and hip circumference.
Just attract your wetsuit
A wetsuit must sit tightly around your body. To have the most pleasure from your wetsuit you will have to put it on. And that is more difficult than you think, but with the right tips you always put on your wetsuit well. Please note, the tips below require exercise. At ASW we always help you when you come to put on a wetsuit for the first time:
- Turn the leg pieces inside out. Pull the legs over your ankles and roll your wetsuit up over your legs.
- Pull the wetsuit piece by piece over your stomach.
- Turn the arms inside out, put your hands in and pull them on by rolling them up from your wrists over your arms.
- Pull the shoulders.
- Make sure your wetsuit is high enough so that you can close it.
- Sit your wetsuit with at least one arm stabbed in the air, so the collar closes best.
When best buy a wetsuit?
You can buy a wetsuit best in the spring. Then all models are well -available and you can fit extensively, so that you can buy your ideal wetsuit. So look in our store in Amsterdam or in our web store in March, April and May. In the other seasons we also have wetsuits, but it may be that a certain model is sold out in your size.
NB! A wetsuit for swimming in very sensitive to damage on the outside. Protect the wetsuit by cutting your nails and wearing gloves. And don't pull it too hard, then it can tear. Still a damage? Let us know right away, we will look at a solution.
Special wetsuits
In addition to "standard" wetsuits, we also have special wetsuits at ASW. In this way you can choose the ideal wetsuit for your specific situation. We distinguish the following wetsuits:
- Wetsuit for open water swimming: The preference of most swimmers. A wetsuit with long arms and legs. This wetsuit offers the optimum combination of buoyancy, warmth and flexibility.
- Wetsuit for triathlons: The same as a standard wetsuit and then more suitable for triathlons. The fit and quality of the neoprene ensures the fastest swimming times.
- Breaststroke: Similar to a standard wetsuit, but made specifically for breaststroke swimming. With less buoyancy and more flexibility in the legs you swim easier and finer breaststroke.
- Thermal Wetsuit: For the real winter swimmers, who also want to swim longer distances in the cold water. Due to thicker neoprene and with an inside with lining, these wetsuits are extra warm, but also really suitable for swimming in winter and spring.
- Shortie Wetsuit: A wetsuit without sleeves and with short legs. Suitable for warmer conditions, in which you still like to keep your hull warmer. It offers a lot of freedom of movement and yet buoyancy. Also suitable for triathlons in warmer conditions.
- Swim Run Wetsuit: This wetsuit is specifically suitable for a competition in which you swim and run several times in succession. So you do not pull this wetsuit between the different parts.
- Sleeveless wetsuit: Without sleeves and with long legs. Just a little less warm and suitable for fast swimmers, who benefit more from free arms due to an effective swimming stroke.
Accessories with your wetsuit
For swimming with a wetsuit you still use a few accessories. You also have special accessories that ensure that you can swim safer or in other circumstances:
- Swimming glasses: At ASW we have swimming goggles with all fits and for all circumstances. Buy comfortable swimming goggles for open water swimming or fast swimming goggles for triathlons. Do you swim in sunny conditions? Then buy swimming goggles that protect you against sun and UV light.
- Swimming cap or cap: Protect your head with a normal bathing cap of silicone or an extra warm bathing cap made of neoprene.
- Swimming pool: Are you going to swim in open water or even the sea? Think of your safety! With a swimming buoy you are more visible. And if you are tired, you can rest on it. Also handy to take your little things with you, such as your car key and wallet. Mandatory for many swimming competitions in the sea.
- Swimming socks: If you swim in cold conditions, you can supplement your wetsuit with neoprene swimming socks. That way you also have warm feet.
- Swimming gloves: Special gloves of neoprene keep your hands warm when swimming in cold water.
- Swimwear: Under your wetsuit you wear swimwear.
- Trisuit: As a triathlete you wear a trisuit under your wetsuit, so that after swimming and pulling out your wetsuit, you can continue to cycle right away.
Do you still need advice? We are happy to help you. For example, make an appointment in the store or for online advice. Bee AthleteSportsWorld Work fanatic triathletes and open water swimmers who know everything about Wetsuits. Call us, send an e-mail or just drop by. Then you know for sure that you are buying the best wetsuit for swimming.
