If you’re looking to spend more time in open waters, the first thing you’ll want to do is get a good wetsuit. Unfortunately for us in the UK, you’re likely to need the extra warmth if you’re doing things like surfing, paddleboarding or open water swimming.
People looking to buy their first wetsuit can be overwhelmed by the technical details involved. However, these details result in very different wetsuits, especially when comparing those made for swimming and those made for surfing.
Beyond the core materials, wetsuits made for swimming have notable differences compared to those designed for surfing (and other board-based activities). Here’s a rundown of the key differences.
Smoothness
Most wetsuits are made using neoprene but not all neoprene is created equal.
Surfing wetsuits are usually made with open-cell neoprene while swimming wetsuits use closed-cell neoprene. This results in swimming wetsuits having a much smoother finish compared to their rugged surfing counterparts.
The smooth finish of a swimming wetsuit reduces drag when moving through the water, allowing you to swim more efficiently.
The downside is that swimming wetsuits are more fragile than surfing ones, for which the additional swimming benefits are less important than the rugged strength needed to climb onto the board repeatedly.
Buoyancy
It’s not just the sleekness of the neoprene that can be different in swimming and surfing wetsuits. Many swimming wetsuits are also built with slightly thicker, buoyant neoprenes around the core and legs that provide extra lift in the water.
If you’re swimming long distances – during a triathlon, for example – having a bit of extra support to keep you afloat can streamline your body through the water, saving you a lot of energy.
When you’re surfing, that extra buoyancy isn’t really necessary. Hopefully, you’ll be spending plenty of time on top of the water, anyway!
Movement
Beyond the specific materials used in swimming wetsuits, how the materials are put together also differs between surfing and swimming wetsuits. The main reason for that is the different movements involved.
Over a session, swimmers will perform a lot more arm, shoulder, and leg movements compared to surfers. As a result, wetsuits aimed at swimmers are often designed to minimise friction in those key areas through clever panel designs, tactical neoprene thicknesses and more.
Thickness
Technically, both swimming and surfing wetsuits are available at similar thicknesses – you can get a 3/2 thickness in both styles, for example. However, there are slight differences.
Generally, a lower thickness is recommended for open water swimming. As swimming involves more constant movement, your body heat will be higher than when surfing, naturally keeping you warmer.
Alongside the overall thickness, where that neoprene is placed also differs between swimming and surfing suits.
Surfing wetsuits regularly have one thickness for the body and legs and a different thickness for the arms. Swimming wetsuits usually have a wider range of thicknesses, including thinner shoulders for movement and thicker legs for buoyancy.
Price
As you may have noticed, swimming wetsuits come with quite a few additional features, from clever panelling to smoother, more buoyant neoprene. This is reflected in the price you can expect to pay for your suit.
A swimming wetsuit will almost always be more expensive than a similar surfing counterpart.
Of course, there is a range of swimming suits available, including budget options. However, while an entry-level men’s swimming wetsuit will often cost just over £100, budget-friendly surfing wetsuits can be found for less than three figures.
Can You Wear A Swimming Wetsuit for Surfing (and Vice-Versa)?
This is a really common question, and the answer will usually come down to your budget. To put it simply, it’s possible to use a swimming wetsuit for surfing and vice-versa but if you intend to swim/surf regularly, we wouldn’t recommend doing so.
Surfing wetsuits are the cheaper option, so most people tend to want to swim wearing the same suit they use to surf.
Swimming in a surfing wetsuit can be fine over short distances, but if you want to do anything more strenuous, you’ll soon find the surfing wetsuit weighing you down and feeling restrictive, particularly in the shoulders. When you move from a surfing wetsuit to a swimming wetsuit, you’ll notice a big difference in speed and comfort.
But if swimming wetsuits are better, why can’t you use them for surfing? The main reason is their delicacy. Swimming wetsuits aren’t designed to be rubbing up against a board all the time, so you’ll soon find your swimming wetsuit being worn down if you take it surfing.
Wearing a surfing wetsuit while swimming will feel like a drag. Wearing a swimming wetsuit while surfing will cause it to wear out quickly. While it’s a pain on your short-term budget, if you intend to swim and surf regularly, getting separate suits will benefit you in the long run.
If you just want to try out swimming or surfing, you could consider hiring the necessary wetsuit the first few times before taking the plunge. Or, if you’re ready to purchase, check out our wide range of swimming and surfing wetsuits here at Wetsuit Centre!