Used wetsuit: thickness, size and condition

What thickness for each season?

Thickness is given in millimetres, for example 5/4: 5 mm on the torso, 4 mm on the arms and legs. The North Sea and the Baltic rarely go above 17 to 20 °C in summer and drop to 2 to 5 °C in winter; the Alpine lakes stay cool even in July. Wind chills a lot: plan warmer than for swimming.

High summer (water above 17 °C)	4/3, boots on windy days
Early summer and September (12 to 17 °C)	5/4, boots
Spring and autumn (6 to 12 °C)	5/4 or 6/5 with hood, boots and gloves
Winter (below 6 °C)	6/5 hooded, 7 mm boots, mittens; a drysuit for the hardiest

Size: try it on

A suit that is too loose lets water flush through; too tight, it restricts your shoulders. Sizes vary between brands, so trust a fitting rather than the label.

• Snug everywhere, with no air pockets in the back or at the knees.
• Raise your arms as if holding a bar or a wing: the shoulders must not pull.
• The neck seals without choking.

Condition: what matters

• Neoprene stretch: over time it hardens and cracks at the armpits, knees and crotch. Fold these areas: if cracks appear, the suit is at the end of its life.
• Seams: glued and blind-stitched, often taped inside on winter models. Check they are not coming unstuck.
• The zip: it should run smoothly.
• Small holes: a cut or small hole is easy to fix with neoprene glue.

Hygiene and care

A used wetsuit washes fine in lukewarm water with a suitable product. Rinse it in fresh water after every session, dry it in the shade and store it on a wide hanger, never folded: that way it lasts for seasons.

Ready to look? Browse the used wetsuits, and set an alert with your size.