Wetsuit FAQs
1. What wetsuit is best for me?
At Two Bare Feet we have three main wetsuit types:
All provide their own benefits which enable you to perform best in your water-based activities.
For colder waters of 15°C and below you’ll want to opt for a Full-Length wetsuit with a thick neoprene. A 5/4 wetsuit offers solid protection throughout winter and a 4/3 wetsuit will offer increased flexibility, while still fending off the cold. Boots, gloves, and a hood are also recommended if hitting the water in the winter.
For warmer waters of 15°C – 22°C you’ll find either a thinner full length or shorty wetsuit will be suitable. Standard summer wetsuits are 2.5mm all over to keep you cool in warmer weather. It will also be less restrictive, providing increased flexibility while undertaking a high intensity sport.
The second most popular type of wetsuit, a shorty is often favoured by swimmers who head into the water during the summer, as they naturally provide less insulation. Less restriction makes a shorty perfect for those of you planning on partaking in demanding water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding.
Two-piece wetsuits are comprised of a separate jacket and shorts or pants making them a more versatile option so you can mix-and-match to suit the current conditions. For example, a wetsuit jacket top can have short or long arms. This can be paired with either shorts or long pants. Although separates do not offer the same level of insulation as an all-in-one suit due to water flushing more easily, they are amazing for flexibility and comfort.
You can also refer to our Wetsuit Temperature Guide for more information.
2. What wetsuit thickness is best for me?
Wetsuit thickness is often denoted by two figures visible in the wetsuit's title as one, two numbers. The numbers correspond to the thickness of neoprene material in millimetres across different parts of the body. If the numbers differ, this indicates that material thickness will vary across the wetsuit.
For example, a 3/2 wetsuit has 3mm of neoprene across the torso and 2mm covering the legs and arms.
Where thickness varies, the torso tends to be higher, as this affects core body temperature. Thinner material on the arms and legs can aid the range of movement, if this needs to be prioritised for the activity the wearer will be participating in. Learn more about how wetsuits keep you warm to help decide on thickness levels.
During the warmer months of the year a summer wetsuit will be adequate. The thickness of a summer wetsuit will typically be 2mm & 2.5mm. A suitable spring / autumn wetsuit will have a thickness of about 3/2mm & 4/3mm, while a winter wetsuit will typically be 5/4mm.
3. What wetsuit size am I?
When finding the best fitting wetsuit, we highly recommend taking measurements and comparing these to our size guide as due to the nature of neoprene our products do not follow standard UK dress or age sizing simply because of the range in body shapes and sizes from person to person.
- Chest measurement (all the way around the chest below the armpits)
- Neck to Crotch measurement (from the collar bone to where the seam would lay on a pair of fitted jeans)
For the chest do not go over the fullest part, rather measure under the arms and over your actual chest area as the give in the wetsuit, like a swimsuit, will accommodate the fullest area of the chest by pushing it down for better streamlining.
Watch our video on measurements to learn more.
4. How should a wetsuit fit?
Getting the right fit for a wetsuit isn’t always an easy task. But it’s certainly an important one. Is your wetsuit too tight? Is it too loose? Or did you choose just right? It can be a little difficult to get to grips with, especially as a new wetsuit often feels tight and of course, you’re testing it out on dry land.
If you can slip into your new suit with absolute ease and it doesn’t feel a little tight, it’s likely it’s too big for you. What you’re looking for is a nice, skin-tight fit that may feel a little uncomfortable at first but doesn’t significantly restrict your movement. This means you shouldn’t see any creases or air pockets, or too much bunching in the arms or legs but you should still be able to move freely. Move around, stretch, swing your arms and get a feel for it.
Bear in mind that your new wetsuit will loosen slightly and become more flexible when wet.
5. I followed the measuring guide, but my wetsuit doesn’t fit?
The sizing and measurement advice is there to help customers understand how to take the measurements we advise, as our size charts do not follow standard UK clothing sizing due to the required fit.
For wetsuits, the main measurements advised are Chest and Neck to Crotch. The chest fitting is key to the performance of your wetsuit and of your swim strokes, so it is best to ensure this area of the torso has a comfortable but snug fit to ensure it isn’t restrictive of your movements but works to insulate your body heat without flushing. The neck to crotch measurement then determines the torso length of the wetsuit which is also important for fit of the suit in the crotch area as this will determine the fit of the arms and legs if too small it may restrict your range of movement in these areas.
Due to the ranges in body shapes and sizes that vary from person to person, it will not always be the case whereby if the wetsuit is fitting in some areas, such as the chest and neck to crotch that it will also be fitting in other areas such as the hip or leg width, as well. If your body measurements are varying between your top half or bottom half of the body, or even in height/proportions, then it may be better to consider a wetsuit jacket and pants set to find sizes that are more suitable for sections of the body for a better fit.
6. What size is suitable for my child?
We highly recommend to take measurements and compare them against our size charts due to wetsuit requiring a specific snug fit they do not follow standard sizing.
As a vague guide a children’s XS will reflect an Age 4 and a 3XL will reflect an Age 16 with the in between sizes going up in 2’s. Please note that this is only to help you gauge where your child might be within the size chart. Taking and comparing measurements is key to the fit and performance of the wetsuit.
7. How does a wetsuit work?
Wetsuits are primarily made from neoprene material, which provides insulation by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and the wearer. This layer of water is then warmed by your body providing another barrier to stop heat from escaping.
The neoprene material used in wetsuit construction contains air pockets which provide additional insulation. Thicker neoprene offers better heat conservation.
It’s because of the way neoprene works that it is vital the wetsuit is not too big. If there is too much space inside, the suit will allow water to flush in and out preventing that layer of warm water insulation from ever forming. Take it from us, a flush down the neck of your wetsuit mid-winter is not pleasant!
8. How to put a wetsuit on?
The first rule of putting on your suit is, be gentle! In general, when people try a wetsuit on the snug fit of the suit and friction can be deceiving and may require some wiggling to get the placement of the suit correct.
Pro tip: Put a plastic bag over your foot. This will make it so much easier to pull the leg of the wetsuit on.
Now it’s time to take up the slack. Start at the bottom with your feet and slowly work your way up to the waist. Take your time to make sure all areas of the wetsuit are pulled up as high as they can comfortably go. A well-fitting suit shouldn’t have too much space in the crotch area. This is also probably the best indicator that you are wearing your wetsuit correctly.
Pro tip: Don't risk damaging your wetsuit with long nails - be sure to keep them trimmed and filed.
Grab those plastic bags again and put them over your hands. This will help you to slide your wetsuit on more easily and minimise the risk of tears. Starting at the wrist this time, pull up over the arms and the shoulders gradually, again making sure there's no slack.
All that's left to do now is zip yourself up and head out on your water adventure!
9. How do I care for a wetsuit?
Maintaining your wetsuit is essential to its longevity. Caring for your wetsuit incorrectly can greatly hinder its quality and potential performance.
Wetsuits are not machine washable, nor can they be tumble-dried. Instead, after wearing your wetsuit, it should always be hand washed in fresh, cold water. Avoid hot water as this can lead to neoprene losing its flexibility. Following a freshwater rinse, turn your wetsuit inside out to dry thoroughly. This should preferably be done indoors, as the direct sunlight can degrade a wetsuit and prompt fading.
Simply hang it inside out over a plastic hanger (or a wetsuit hanger if you own one). It’s better to drape it over a hanger around the waist area instead of the neck in order to reduce damage to maintain its shape. Once dried on the inside, turn it back out and repeat the drying process until the whole suit is completely dry.
Once it’s fully dried, lying the wetsuit as flat as possible is preferable – although it can be hung halfway over a plastic hanger too. It must be stored in a cool, dry place without direct sunlight.
Another tip is to always take care when handling your wetsuit. Make sure any velcro fastenings are done up as this will help avoid abrasions on the neoprene. Try not to tug too quickly or wear accessories which can create snags – such as a watch or false nails. You don’t want to put the seams under too much unnecessary pressure. Storing your wetsuit properly will help prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
10. Do I need wetsuit accessories?
Once you've chosen your wetsuit, you may also want to equip yourself with some accessories. While you don’t need to invest in every type of accessory, some add-ons are essential, especially once the temperature drops below 12°C. Naturally, this will also depend on your cold threshold. Complimenting your wetsuit with a rash vest will help with chafing and discomfort caused by trapped salt or sand. A rash vest will work to prevent this and provide extra warmth. Learn what you can wear under a wetsuit for ultimate comfort and warmth.
A pair of wetsuit boots and wetsuit gloves are a worthwhile investment, serving three purposes: grip, warmth and protection. Your extremities are often the first to feel the cold. Wetsuit boots and socks will keep your feet warm by providing extra insulation and protect your feet from unseen underwater hazards while gloves will help to keep your hands warm and toasty.
A wetsuit hood is designed to stop heat escaping via your head, provide extra insulation, and prevent the onset of surfer’s ear – a condition which can affect hearing if the ears are exposed to cold wind and water.
Check out our wetsuit buying guide for more advice on choosing the right wetsuit and accessories for your water needs.
Changing Robe FAQ’s
1. How do I wash my weatherproof robe?
Waterproof robes do not require frequently washing the same as any other outdoor clothing. But when you find you need to it is highly recommended to use cold fresh water to rinse your robe and hang it to air dry out of direct sunlight.
We have tested our weatherproof robes and it is possible to machine wash if it’s absolutely necessary, this should be done on a 30-minute cycle at 20 degrees, you can use standard washing detergent however please do not use a softener. Your weatherproof robe has taped seams making it water-resistant. If you wash too regularly, the lifespan of these taped seams will not be as long – you will be reducing the longevity of your robe by washing too frequently.
We would therefore advise not to wash your weatherproof robe more than once every 6-8 weeks.
2. How do I zip my waterproof robe?
Our weatherproof changing robes feature a YKK ® two-way zip for ease of use. The best way to operate this when closing is to align both sliders at the base of the robe holding taught and insert the insertion pin though both sliders, then pull the top slider only to close the zipper.
To utilise the dual two-way zip, you can also partially un-zip the lower half of the robe from the base by pulling up the second slider up to allow more leg movement where needed for activities such as horse riding, walking, or driving.
3. How should a waterproof changing robe fit?
Two Bare Feet weatherproof changing robes have been designed to offer a loose, baggy fit ensuring there’s plenty of room to pull your arms inside and change out of your wetsuit, whilst providing enough length to keep you covered and warm.
The recommended size ranges would provide a robe that is around knee length and offers ample room around the torso for changing.
Height and zip length are the most important measurements, however, should you find yourself in between sizes, please refer to the waist measurement and consider how you will be using your robe ie. do you require ample changing space? Or will it be used primarily for keeping warm? for just keeping warm, you can downsize, but if you are using it as a changing robe, we recommend the larger size.
4. How many styles of waterproof robes do we have?
We now have 5 styles of robes with a host of different colourways available in Adult and Child sizes. All of our weatherproof robes are designed with an oversized fit featuring a 100% Oxford Nylon 8k water-resistant outer with a BIONIC-FINISH® ECO water-repellent finishing and premium quality, ultra-soft-touch Sherpa Fleece lining.
Our robes feature a whole host of colourways to choose from Black, Navy, Teal and Blue with a variety of inner sherpa colours so you can be as subtle or as bright as you like! Selected styles include a complimentary changing mat with sherpa to match your robe. Our extensive range also includes our classic TBF all-over print robes with 3/4 length sleeves or full length sleeves. We then have our ever popular Camo changing robes in grey and green camo colourways which include a complimentary camo print changing mat to match. Finally we have a riding robe, designed specifically for horse-riding enthusiasts with longer side vents and leg straps.
5. How water resistant are the changing robes?
Our TBF weatherproof changing robes have a rating of 8,000mm in waterproof resistance. A rating of 5,000mm to 10,000mm is suitable for just about all weather conditions, 5,000mm rating is suitable for average to moderate rain whereas up to 10,000mm is suited to Heavy Rain. The outer is made from 100% Oxford Nylon 8K water resistant material with a BIONIC-FINISH® ECO water-repellent coating which is both safe and environmentally better for our planet.
The way the rating for waterproof resistance is tested, is through something called the Hydrostatic Head Test. This is where the fabric is pulled tightly under a sealed tube of water. This is then observed over a 24-hour period to investigate how many millimetres of water the fabric can withstand before it soaks through.
6. Can I use waterproof changing robes for dog walking?
Yes, you can use the robe for any activity or event, whether it’s dog walking, going to a festival or standing on the side lines whilst watching a rugby game. As the purpose would be for keeping warm, it may be more suitable to size down so that the robe has less of an oversized fit.
7. What is the changing mat used for?
The changing mat that is included with some of our weatherproof robes, or sold separately, can be used for as a mat to stand on whilst you change underneath your weatherproof robe or for any other personal preference whether it be for your dog to snuggle up on or for something to sit on when camping or at the beach.
8. Can my changing robe be embroidered?
Yes, you can embroider your changing robe! Although this is not a service which we offer, we have designed the robes with a hidden easy access zip which can be located inside the robe under the right arm next to the fleece pocket - When embroidered this should be to the outer shell only and should have a waterproof backing applied to keep your robe as waterproof as possible. Please note that we are unable to offer a refund or replacement should you decide to embroider the changing robe.
9. Want to try before you buy, find your nearest stockist
If you would like to try on a changing robe for size then please get in touch with our customer service team simply advise them of your location and the product you are interested in and they will try their best to direct you to your nearest stockist.