I’ve labored in each surf outlets and surf/windsurf centres and there are usually 2 several types of individuals who ask what do I put on beneath my wetsuit? Newbies who’re renting or have simply purchased their first wetsuit, or somebody trying to layer as much as get hotter.
The fast reply to the query of what to put on beneath a wetsuit is – it may be both nothing in any respect, a skinny garment like a rash vest, compression shorts or bikini for consolation or for further heat a thermal hooded rash vest. No matter you select to put on beneath your wetsuit, make certain it’s tight-fitting as a result of something dishevelled tends to bunch up and also you usually find yourself with a self-inflicted wedgie.
What you resolve to put on can even rely upon the game you plan to do. Sailors and paddleboarders may not get moist or fall in in the course of the session, so they may have a fleece-like base layer beneath their lengthy john fashion wetsuit. Whereas surfers and windsurfers might wish to wish to be toasty within the UK winters can have a thermal rash vest beneath their wetsuit.
What to put on when renting a wetsuit
The one time I’d all the time suggest carrying at the least one thing beneath a wetsuit is once you’re renting.
If you’re renting a wetsuit for the day then you need to undoubtedly put on one thing across the nether areas. Though rented fits are cleaned completely, micro organism can nonetheless reside within the neoprene (which is why wetsuits are inclined to scent so unhealthy). While I’m not a germaphobe, I simply wouldn’t need my privates uncovered like that, particularly when the one that wore the swimsuit earlier than might have worn nothing in any respect.
Typically, rental fits will not be that snug and are typically fairly scratchy across the neck space. So together with normal hygiene, carrying one thing beneath the swimsuit will make your session on the water extra pleasant.
So should you’re renting a wetsuit, use no matter you’ve got obtainable for you on the day, whether or not that’s swimming shorts, bikini, rash vest and even regular underwear. Something is best than carrying nothing beneath a rental swimsuit.
What to put on beneath a wetsuit you personal
What you resolve to put on beneath your personal wetsuit will change into clearer over time as you attempt new strategies of both staying heat or for consolation. And what works finest for another person may not be good for you.
For me, I put on nothing beneath my wetsuit till it’s the UK winter, then I’ll put on a thermal hooded rash vest to maintain my physique and head heat if I’m windsurfing or browsing. Once I’m paddle boarding on flat water I’ll (hopefully) not fall in, so within the winter I’d put on a standard rash vest and compression shorts beneath my wetsuit to cease any chafing. On some days when it’s windy and snowing, I’ve doubled up and worn a summer season wetsuit beneath my winter wetsuit to attempt to maintain me as heat as attainable. It type of labored and I didn’t get chilly, however it was nearly not possible to maneuver and all the pieces felt very tight!
Nothing in any respect
In case your wetsuit is first rate and cozy, you don’t need to put on something beneath it.
Wetsuits are designed to entice a skinny layer of water between you and your swimsuit, your physique then heats that water to assist maintain you heat. So in concept not carrying something that may intervene with that layer will make your wetsuit work extra effectively. Additionally carrying something beneath an already tight-fitting wetsuit will scale back flexibility, so if you’d like the utmost vary of motion in your wetsuit, it’s in all probability finest to put on nothing beneath it.
Compression shorts
Compression shorts are supposed to be worn throughout train to assist scale back the danger of delayed muscle onset soreness, however additionally they double up as a extremely snug choice to put on beneath your wetsuit. As a result of they’re very tight-fitting, they don’t bunch up when placing in your wetsuit.
For any chap who owns, or needs to personal a pair, speedos are one other good choice to put on beneath your wetsuit.
View compression shorts on Amazon >
Thermal shorts
I’ve by no means worn thermal shorts beneath my wetsuit, however there have been occasions browsing in January after I’m sitting on my board and the water lapping round my crotch feels extremely contemporary.
So should you battle with the chilly and need your giblets heat, then I’d have a look at getting a good pair of thermal shorts.
View O’Neills thermal shorts on Amazon >
Bikini or Swimsuit
For the women, a easy bikini or swimsuit is the right choice to put on beneath your wetsuit. Any beading or knots in ‘trend’ sort swimwear shall be annoying, so search for less complicated, sporty sort swimsuits.
The swimsuit is usually useful for if you find yourself getting modified in a public space, the place its nearly not possible to get your wetsuit off or on with out exposing the highest half of your physique
View surf bikinis on Vivida Way of life >
Rash vest
A rash vest beneath a wetsuit is the go-to garment for many individuals, and it appears to be largely individuals new to watersports who religiously put on one, regardless that it could lower the effectivity of how your wetsuit heats the physique.
I believe that’s as a result of they suppose a rash vest was designed to cease rashing beneath a wetsuit, however it truly meant to cease the rashing of wax in your pores and skin when browsing.
So firstly in case your somebody who has all the time worn a rash vest beneath a wetsuit, possibly subsequent time go with out one, you would possibly discover the wetsuit is extra snug and heats you up quicker.
That being stated, in case your wetsuit is outdated, uncomfortable and chafes your neck, then a rash vest will assist with that.
View our weblog on finest rash vests >
Thermal rash vest
What do you put on beneath a wetsuit in chilly water? A traditional rash vest gained’t assist in any respect with coping with the chilly, however a thermal rash vest is ideal to assist maintain you heat.
From brief sleeves, lengthy sleeves to hooded choices, there are fairly a number of completely different types of thermal rash vests, in order that’s as much as you to how a lot hotter you could be.
Keep in mind there’s all the time a comprise and extra layers or thicknesses will all the time lead to much less flexibility and motion in your wetsuit. However it’s definitely worth the comprise should you can keep that little bit heat, which implies you might be out on the water for longer and have extra enjoyable!
