Layering Wetsuits

[Quim]

Hello all,

Here in Brazil, we get fairly warm water, but in winter, especially in the south of Brazil, "warm" can get really cold. Since most of the time there’s no way to wear a super thick wetsuit, what are your experiences with layering wetsuit pieces?

I'm not planning on wearing a full wetsuit over another, of course. I mean something more practical, like wearing a 1.5mm jacket over a 2mm sleeveless wetsuit (but with long legs) for winter, or layering a 1.5mm jacket over spring suits in mid-season.

This way, I could swap parts depending on the temperature and wouldn't need to own a 3mm full suit plus a second 2mm suit that I'd only use for a few days each year.

I've tried wearing a 1mm short sleeve jacket over a 1mm shorty (short sleeves/short legs), and it worked alright.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

best,

Quim

[jaffa1949]

Absolutely , there are also titanium lined 2mm vest work well under thin wetsuit and give a good thermal balance against neoprene thickness , Question is of course are they available i n Brasil

[Quim]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, those more specific pieces of equipment aren’t available here. We do have some excellent local brands and imported ones, but since we don’t have cold waters year-round, we mainly rely on 2/2 or 3/2 wetsuits and their variations (long sleeve, short sleeve, jackets...). However, special accessories like the one I mentioned aren’t readily available locally (at least not that I know of), though they can, of course, be purchased online.

[101unz]

I prefer to buy 4/3 wetty with wetsuit cap/hood. in winter in nz its a must. booties as well. nothing worse then being uncomfortable. and the good wettys still have stretchy shoulders/arms so you don't get too tired too quick.

worth it

[BoMan]

I wear a rashie and a vest under my wetsuit along with 5 mil boots. Winter water temp @ 50 degrees F.

[BaNZ]

I once wore a 4mm and a 3mm wetsuit when it was -5C. It almost worked but damn it was cold when the water started coming in through the seams and zippers.

[Arthur97]

Hello all,

Here in Brazil, we get fairly warm water, but in winter, especially in the south of Brazil, "warm" can get really cold. Since most of the time there’s no way to wear a super thick wetsuit, what are your experiences with layering wetsuit pieces?

I'm not planning on wearing a full wetsuit over another, of course. I mean something more practical, like wearing a 1.5mm jacket over a 2mm sleeveless wetsuit (but with long legs) for winter, or layering a 1.5mm jacket over spring suits in mid-season.

This way, I could swap parts depending on the temperature and wouldn't need to own a 3mm full suit plus a second 2mm suit that I'd only use for a few days each year.

I've tried wearing a 1mm short sleeve jacket over a 1mm shorty (short sleeves/short legs), and it worked alright.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

best,

Quim

Hey Quim! I surf in waters that can get pretty cold in winter too, and I do something similar. Layering suits is a great idea – I often wear a 2mm vest over a 3mm wetsuit. It gives a lot of flexibility, and you don’t need to buy a 3mm full suit if it’s too warm some days.

The 1.5mm jacket over a 2mm sounds like a solid idea. You can easily adjust the thickness based on the temperature and save money, since you won’t need a full suit for every season. Let me know how it works for you.

[imadeddine]

Layering wetsuits is such a game-changer, especially when the water temps are all over the place. I’ve tried a 2mm vest over a 3mm wetsuit, and it’s a solid combo, keeps you warm without feeling like you’re roasting.