What's the best wetsuit?

Short answer: the one that fits.


I assume if you're reading this you want a little bit more. So here's my thoughts on the 'best' wetsuit.


1. Brand doesn't matter.
Huubs are good (and expensive) but if you're buying your first wetsuit, almost any suit will make you faster. Neoprene does that.


2. Top of the range isn't always the best (for you).
The top of the range for any brand is usually the thinnest, most flexible that that company makes. They make it for swimmers - good swimmers. If you have a terrible body position (even with a suit on) you might be better sacrificing this flexibility for a thicker/more buoyant suit. That's usually the entry level/intermediate one. Anyways, thin suits are more likely to rip or puncture and that's pretty upsetting. In my experience the thicker suits are a lot more robust.


3. Don't overlook sleeveless.
With no sleeves you don't have to worry so much about the flexibility of the suit, and because of it's thickness it will have your buoyancy sorted out. You'll feel like you're laying on a surfboard and all you have to do is pull as hard as you can and you won't feel like you've done a session in the gym afterwards. The purists don't like this approach, but then again the purists are unlikely to be in a suit.


4. It's all about the fit.
Simply put, if it feels good when it's on and your swimming doesn't feel impeded then you're probably wearing a suitable wetsuit. It should be snug and take a while (5-15 minutes) to put on properly, there are some good YouTube videos that show you how. It's 'Spanx' where you need it, flexible where you don't. If you can't breathe when it's on, it's the wrong size.


When you buy a suit you usually buy second hand from a friend, or brand new from a supplier. Buying from someone you know is a good idea; you'll have a chance to try the suit on before you buy, get other people's opinion and generally come to an informed decision. It's cheaper too. If you can, don't just try it on dry land; have a swim in it. Once you know it fits ok, you won't feel so bad about shelling out for it.


When buying from a supplier try and swim in it before you do. You're spending even more money buying it this way so make sure you're getting what you want/need. I would encourage you to go somewhere that has their own pool and try several before deciding. Compare the £200 entry level with the £500 top of the range and see what you get for your extra £300. Having then found the suit you like this way some people would then go online and buy it much cheaper. That's a shame, as the additional cost you would have paid is for the advice and facilities that were made available to you and that you are now declining to pay for. Don't be surprised then if that advice and facility is not available to you next time you  need a suit.


Happy shopping.