Wetsuit Size Guide

A well fitted wetsuit should feel much like a second skin, allowing for freedom of movement, whilst providing a high level of insulation and additional buoyancy in the water.  In this guide we will take you through the simple steps involved in measuring yourself and finding the perfect fit.

If you are unsure what thickness and style (full length or shorty) of wetsuit you require, see our tables near the bottom of the guide. 

You can navigate to the different sections of this wetsuit size guide, using the links below:

• What Size Wetsuit Do You Need?
• Men’s Full Length Wetsuit Size Charts
• Men’s Shorty Wetsuit Size Charts
• Women’s Full Length Wetsuit Size Charts
• Women’s Shorty Wetsuit Size Charts
• Children's Wetsuit Size Charts
• Shorty or Full Length Wetsuit?
• What Thickness of Wetsuit Do You Need?

What size wetsuit do you need?

To establish the ideal wetsuit size for you, grab a tape measure and take the measurements of your:

• Chest

• Waist

• Hips 

• Upper arms/biceps. 

You can also measure the length from the top of your ankles to the base of your neck.

Once you have made a note of all the lengths, widths and circumferences, you can refer to the wetsuit size chart shown below. 

When you receive your wetsuit, and first put it on, it may feel too tight and restrictive. This is the preferred fit for most water sports enthusiasts - a wetsuit should fit almost like a second skin and follow the contours of your body. Wetsuits will also tend to be tight and difficult to put on at first, but they stretch with use, especially the first few times they are used in the water.

If the wetsuit is too loose, it won’t be able to trap a thin layer of water between your body and the interior-neoprene material, which will prevent it from working and insulating your body efficiently. It can also impact your swimming speed and technique, as a loose fitting wetsuit will create more drag in the water.

Men’s Full Length Wetsuit Size Charts

There is actually a significant difference in sizing for wetsuits that are the same length and manufacturer, but different thicknesses. This is due to the stretch of the material, as thinner wetsuits like the 2mm men's wetsuit will stretch more. Thicker wetsuits like the AQUATEC 5/4mm designs, are manufactured for a tighter thermal seal, meaning that they are often thinner and tighter around the hips and waist.

Please note when using all the size charts shown below there is a +/- 2cm tolerance to all measurements provided. 

We recommend sizing up if your measurements fall on the border of the measurements shown.

Men’s Shorty Wetsuit Size Charts

Designed by our in-house team to provide the highest level of thermal insulation, comfort and freedom of movement, the AQUATEC men's shorty wetsuits are ideal for water sports in the summer months. Sizing for shorty wetsuits is almost identical to the full wetsuits, except - as you'd expect from the name "shorty", the full length measurement is different. The shorty wetsuits cover the upper legs/thighs only, and are therefore significantly shorter than the full length wetsuits. Be sure to measure the height/length from where your shoulders/neck meet, down to the bottom of your thigh - as depicted in the image below and annotated with "A".

Women’s Full Length Wetsuit Size Charts

Designed for comfort, performance and durability, our women's AQUATEC full length wetsuits are ideal for outdoor watersports including surfing and paddleboarding. Use the charts below to find your perfect size. As with the men's wetsuits, the sizing differs somewhat depending on the thickness of the wetsuit material; with 2mm wetsuits stretching more than 5/4mm wetsuits which are designed less for mobility and more for heat regulation.

Women’s Shorty Wetsuit Size Charts

Ideal for outdoor watersports in the summer months, the sizing of our women's shorty wetsuits is almost identical to the full length designs, except for the length. Shorty wetsuits are designed to offer greater freedom of movement in warmer weather or climates, and cut off just above the knee.

Children’s Full Length Wetsuit Size Charts

As children lose body heat much faster in cold environments than adults, wearing a wetsuit can be even more important for a child. Children have a much higher "surface area" compared to their overall size than adults, which makes heat radiate from their skin at a greater rate. Getting the right size of wetsuit for a child is really important, especially if you are enjoying watersports as a family outside of the summer months. Use the size charts below to get the perfect fit, for full length wetsuits for children, suitable for ages 3 to 16.

Children's Shorty Wetsuit Size Charts

Ideal for young watersports enthusiasts and adventurers, our kids’ shorty wetsuits are available in 2mm and 4/3mm thicknesses. Offering flexibility and comfort, the AQUATEC kids' wetsuits are designed to provide a high level of mobility and freedom of movement while keeping the body's core warm. Perfect for use in warmer waters and during the summer months, these suits cut off just above the knee for easier movement and reduced thermal insulation around the body's extremities. They also provide a barrier of protection against chaffing, which can occur with sensitive skin when children are learning to surf - which often involves a lot of paddling and getting back on the board!

Shorty or Full Length Wetsuit?

In addition to personal preference, there are a number of factors that you may wish to consider before choosing to wear a shorty, or a full length wetsuit for your chosen water sport.

Temperature - Whilst water temperatures in seas, rivers and lakes rarely reach 20°C in the UK, with “air temperatures” rising above 35°C in recent years, there’s a chance that hyperthermia and overheating can become an issue. In the more typical British climate,  hypothermia is also likely to occur, especially during the colder seasons. Hypothermia occurs when your core temperature becomes too low. Both hyperthermia and hypothermia can be life-threatening, and so people entering the water need to be mindful of the potential dangers.

Activity - The specific activity, as well as the weather, can dictate the preferred type and thickness of wetsuit. Shorty wetsuits can keep your torso warm and snug, whilst minimising the risk of overheating on hot summer days, which can be ideal for activities like paddle boarding on a warm, summer’s day. Conversely, whilst shorty wetsuits may be preferential for most on hot summer days, someone participating in a scuba diving or snorkelling course may still opt for a full wetsuit - depending on the temperature of the water, as well as the strength of the sun and the air temperature.

Time of Day - Another factor to consider is the time of day you’re likely to enter the water. If you’re an early bird and hit the water before the crowds, at say 6am, then you will want to factor this into your wetsuit choice too, with the water and air being significantly cooler in the early hours.

Topography/Nature of The Water - In addition to helping regulate body temperature, wetsuits can also provide a high level of protection against the sun’s UV rays, jellyfish stings, rocks and coral. If you are swimming in an area that is known to be frequented by jellyfish, has coral formations and/or some rocks, you may wish to opt for a full-length wetsuit in order to mitigate the likelihood of becoming stung or cut. 

What wetsuit thickness do you need?

The ideal thickness of a wetsuit will depend on the temperature of the water you will be in, or on when participating in your chosen water sport.

The table below gives a general guide regarding the thickness of wetsuit required, according to the temperature of the water.

If you are participating in watersports during the colder months of the year, we also recommend that you consider investing in a changing robe to keep you warm before and after you enter the water. With a large percentage of body heat lost through the soles of the feet, wetsuit boots can also help to minimise heat loss and reduce the risk of hypothermia.

Please see our comprehensive wetsuit buyer's guide, for further information about wetsuit thicknesses, designs and alternatives.

Choosing the right size and thickness of wetsuit is important for a number of reasons including comfort, regulation of body temperature, the weather on a given day and personal preference. At Net World Sports we supply a range of shorty & full-length wetsuits for men, women and children. We also sell an array of accessories and watersports equipment including rashguards, changing robes, wetsuit boots, paddle boards and inflatable kayaks.