Wetsuit swimming

Find the wetsuit you need right here, whether it's for open water swimming or triathlon. We have wetsuits for swimming and wetsuits for triathlon that suit all levels, whether you're a beginner or experienced.

A wetsuit for swimming is indispensable for you who love open water swimming, especially in Ireland where water temperatures often require extra warmth. That's why you'll also find a wide selection of wetsuits suitable for both triathlon and open water swimming, whether it's for training, competition, or leisure.

What should a good swimming wetsuit be able to do?

When it comes to choosing a wetsuit, it all depends on what you need it for. It's far from irrelevant, and swimming wetsuits each have their strengths. It also depends entirely on your own level and experience with either open water swimming or triathlon.

A triathlon wetsuit should optimize your speed in the water, so you can achieve the best times. The leisure swimmer who enjoys open water swimming needs the wetsuit to keep them warm. While those who aren't the best swimmers can greatly benefit from a wetsuit that provides good buoyancy.

So there are many different requirements for a wetsuit, but precisely for that reason, there is also a wetsuit for every need. No matter how specific the requirements may be. However, there are some fundamental requirements that determine if it's a good wetsuit, so let's list them:

• The best wetsuits are made of elastic neoprene - This material will easily shape and stretch according to the body's forms and therefore easily adapt to the individual person. As long as the size is correct.
• It should be easy to get the wetsuit on and off - It's not meant for you to struggle with or need help to put on a wetsuit - and certainly not to take it off again. Therefore, there should be enough stretch in it so you can put it on yourself, and the zipper should have a cord you can pull - both when zipping up and down.
• The seams should preferably be glued - It's clearly preferable for the seams in the wetsuit to be glued rather than sewn. This way, you avoid water flowing through the suit, which would otherwise lower body temperature. In most cases, you will still find stitches around the seams. This is just to provide extra reinforcement so the wetsuit doesn't tear at the seams.
• Keep you warm and protect - In Ireland, water temperatures rarely exceed 22 degrees, which means that in many respects, a wetsuit is highly beneficial if you stay in open water for extended periods. Additionally, it also protects against possible jellyfish, which can otherwise quickly ruin open water swimming.

Wetsuits for swimming therefore have many different functions. It all depends on your level, what you need it for, and what you require. Generally, you can think about whether you want to break record times, stay warm, or have extra buoyancy, making swimming easier.

What thickness of wetsuit suits your needs?

When choosing a wetsuit for swimming or triathlon, thickness plays a crucial role in both comfort, mobility, and thermal insulation. Most swimming wetsuits are made of flexible neoprene, but it's the thickness – and how it's distributed – that makes the difference.

Instead of a uniform thickness, you'll often see that the body is equipped with thicker neoprene to retain heat, while arms and legs have thinner materials to ensure mobility. This is especially true for wetsuits from brands like Orca, which specialize in open water and triathlon.

Below is a quick overview of the typical thicknesses – and which type of swimming they are best suited for:

So should you choose a smooth or rough surface?

The outer surface of neoprene also matters:

• Smooth neoprene reduces water resistance and makes you more streamlined in the water – perfect for those chasing fast times.
• Rough neoprene insulates better and protects against wind – ideal for calmer activities like SUP or relaxed swimming.

That's why a wetsuit is indispensable for swimming in Ireland

The Irish climate offers only a few summer weeks with water temperatures above 18 degrees – and even fewer days with ideal conditions for swimming without protection. If you engage in open water swimming, triathlon, or paddleboarding, a wetsuit is not just a practical choice but almost a necessity.

A neoprene wetsuit acts as an insulating layer, helping you stay warm – even when the air is colder than the water, which is often the case in Ireland. Even if you're not submerged in water, like on a SUP-board, the wind can quickly cool the body, and here the wetsuit makes a noticeable difference.

At the same time, a wetsuit can protect against jellyfish, UV radiation, and cuts from rocks or seaweed, and it has the added advantage of providing buoyancy in the water – which both increases safety and makes swimming less strenuous.

Especially for triathlon, the wetsuit has a documented effect. Studies and tests show that a competition wetsuit can improve your swim time by up to 2 minutes per 1000 meters, because neoprene minimizes water resistance and improves the body's position in the water.

Benefits of using a wetsuit in open water:

• Extends the swimming season by up to 8-9 months

• Keeps the body warm – even in 12-15 degree water

• Provides buoyancy and increases your safety

• Protects against cold, wind, jellyfish, and sun

• Reduces fatigue and energy consumption during swimming

• Improves swim times in triathlon and competition

If you want to make the most of your time in open water – whether it's for training, exercise, or recreation – a wetsuit is the natural first step. At Watery.ie, we help both beginners and elite swimmers daily to find exactly the wetsuit that matches their needs and ambition level.

Extend the lifespan of your wetsuit with proper maintenance

Most swimming wetsuits are used for open water swimming, which also applies to triathlon wetsuits. Therefore, you mostly swim in open sea, and that means saltwater. Like much other swimming gear, saltwater is quite harsh on many of the materials, and this also applies to swimming wetsuits.

Therefore, it's important to rinse it thoroughly with fresh water after use, so most of the salt is washed away. If you don't, you'll find that the wetsuit becomes stiffer and more difficult to put on. This increases the risk of creating holes in it the next time you put it on.

But rinsing it well is one thing, drying it correctly is another. It's especially important to prevent it from becoming "unpleasant" to wear if there are patches of mold or fungus. Therefore, you should always dry it inside out, and when it's dry, it's best to hang it in, for example, a closet with the outside out.

This way, you ensure it's dry all the way through, especially that the inside is completely dry. It's often here that mold and fungus will accumulate, and since you have this side against your skin, it can cause reactions like redness or, in the worst case, allergies.

Accessories for wetsuits

Once you have a wetsuit for your water sports, you'll quickly find that some other things are missing. Especially if you engage in open water swimming or triathlon. Here, you can quickly blend in with the water, making it difficult for others to see you. This can quickly create dangerous situations if you're swimming among kayaks and paddleboards. Therefore, it's important to make yourself visible, which is possible in several ways.

With a swim buoy in bright colors, everyone will be able to see you from a long distance. Additionally, they also have the function of allowing you to bring what you need when swimming, such as a water bottle. If you want to be even more sure that you're seen, you can wear a swim cap, which again should be in bright colors. This way, people can also see where you are, as a swim bag floats slightly behind you.

When safety is fully ensured, you'll find that a swim in open water becomes much more comfortable with a pair of swimming goggles. This way, you can both orient yourself and avoid getting red and irritated eyes. It would be a good idea to go for ones that are wider than those used in swimming pools, as the wider ones are less likely to come loose if, for example, you're hit by a wave. Additionally, you should of course consider what color the lens should be depending on how much light/sunlight you'll be exposed to while swimming.

If you enjoy open water swimming or triathlon in the cooler months of the year, it would be a good idea to have a set consisting of neoprene hood, gloves, and socks. This way, you're fully covered and can stay in the water for longer periods without getting too cold.

Many will find that swimming wetsuits will start to crack or have holes after some time. Despite this, you don't need to buy a new one, as it can quickly be fixed with neoprene glue. This way, you can patch your wetsuit yourself and extend its lifespan.

One last thing we recommend is a changing mat you can stand on when putting on your wetsuit. This way, you avoid dragging sand from your feet into the suit, which could bother you while swimming.

Buy your swimming wetsuit at Watery.ie

We have a swimming wetsuit for open water or triathlon that suits all requirements and needs. The most challenging part will be finding out which one you need. That's why our skilled customer service team is ready with advice and guidance, so together we can find the swimming wetsuit you're looking for. And that of course also applies if you have questions.

So get ready for both competitive training or fun swimming in open water, right here with us at Watery.ie. If you need more information about wetsuits, you can read our full guide here.