Skimboard Wetsuits are useful gear for anyone engaged in the exciting sport of Skimboarding, which merges elements from both surfing and skateboarding.
The right wetsuit enhances your performance by allowing for greater mobility and protecting you from the elements. It ensures comfort throughout your session, regardless of water temperatures.
Here is a collection of wetsuits that will work well for Skimboarding. All wetsuits are available in men’s, women’s and children’s styles.
O’Neill Hyperfreak Series
The O’Neill Hyperfreak is designed with performance in mind, making it an excellent choice for skimboarders who need a wetsuit that will allow them to perform their best while staying warm and comfortable. It’s a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts for its advanced materials and user-focused design.
Specifications
- Material: The Hyperfreak series uses O’Neill’s exclusive TechnoButter 3 neoprene, which is known for being incredibly stretchy, lightweight, and quick-drying. This material enhances the wetsuit’s ability to allow unrestricted movement, which is essential for Skimboarding, where agility is key.
- Thickness Options: Depending on the water temperature you will be Skimboarding, you can choose from various thicknesses. Common options include 3/2mm for moderately cool waters and 4/3mm for cooler conditions. These thickness variations ensure that you stay warm without sacrificing mobility.
- Seams: The wetsuits in this series feature glued and blindstitched seams, which help to minimise water entry while maintaining flexibility. Some models also include additional internal taping at critical seams for better durability and water resistance.
- Additional Features: Many Hyperfreak models have a minimal seam design and seamless paddle zones, which further enhance the suit’s flexibility and comfort. They also often include a durable water-repellent finish to reduce water absorption and speed up drying time.
Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Series
The Rip Curl Dawn Patrol wetsuits are well-regarded for their quality construction and the balance they offer between performance, warmth, and price. They are a solid choice for skimboarders who need a reliable, flexible, and comfortable suit for frequent use in various conditions.
Specifications
- Material: The Dawn Patrol wetsuits utilise Rip Curl’s E5 neoprene, which balances stretch and durability. This material is designed to maximise flexibility, which is essential for the dynamic movements involved in Skimboarding.
- Thickness Options: The series comes in various thicknesses, including 3/2mm and 4/3mm. The 3/2mm is ideal for milder water temperatures, offering enough warmth without restricting movement. For cooler waters, the 4/3mm provides additional insulation.
- Seams: Dawn Patrol wetsuits feature E5 tape along critical seams, which enhances their durability and waterproofing while maintaining flexibility. This taped seam construction ensures the suit remains watertight and strong.
- Additional Features: These wetsuits often come with a chest zip or back zip option, allowing you to choose based on your preference for ease of entry and exit. They also feature a mesh skin panel that absorbs solar heat and reduces wind chill, enhancing warmth without adding bulk.
Alder Torch Wetsuit
The Alder Evo Fire is a robust wetsuit that offers excellent thermal protection and flexibility, making it suitable for skimboarders who need a reliable suit that can perform well in various water temperatures. It strikes a good balance between quality and affordability, which makes it a popular choice among water sports enthusiasts.
Specifications
- Material: The Alder Torch series uses high-quality neoprene, providing excellent insulation and flexibility. This combination is essential for the quick, agile movements required in Skimboarding.
- Thickness Options: The suit is typically available in 5/4/3mm and 4/3mm versions. It is designed to handle cooler conditions without sacrificing mobility. The 3/2mm version would be more appropriate for warmer conditions, offering enough warmth while maximising flexibility.
- Seams: The seams are glued and blindstitched (GBS), which helps to prevent water ingress while ensuring the suit remains comfortable and flexible. This type of seam construction is durable and well-suited for active water sports’ wear and tear.
- Additional Features: The torch features surflex neoprene on the arms and shoulders to enhance motion range, which is particularly beneficial in a sport like Skimboarding. It also often includes double lining for additional warmth in colder water and a durable knee pad to increase the suit’s longevity in high-wear areas.
Billabong Furnace Absolute Series
The Billabong Furnace Absolute is an excellent choice for skimboarders who need a high-performance suit that provides significant warmth and flexibility. It’s especially suitable for those looking to stay warm in cooler waters without sacrificing the mobility needed to perform at their best.
Specifications
- Material: The Furnace Absolute wetsuits use premium neoprene with Billabong’s Furnace Graphene lining. Graphene is an excellent heat conductor, helping to maintain warmth by capturing and retaining body heat effectively. This technology doesn’t compromise the suit’s flexibility, which is crucial for the fast movements required in Skimboarding.
- Thickness Options: The Furnace Absolute series is available in common thicknesses like 3/2mm and 4/3mm and can accommodate different water temperatures. The 3/2mm version is ideal for milder water conditions, providing enough warmth while maximising flexibility.
- Seams: The seams are glued and blindstitched, enhancing the wetsuit’s ability to keep cold water out while remaining flexible and durable. This seam technology is particularly important for maintaining comfort and performance in water sports.
- Additional Features: This series often includes strategic seam placement to increase the range of motion, particularly around the shoulders and underarms. Additionally, it features a chest zip entry, which is preferred by many surfers and skimboarders for its reduced back panel bulk, enhancing flexibility and comfort.
C-Skins Rewired Fullsuit
The C-Skins Rewired Fullsuit is an excellent choice for skimboarders looking for a wetsuit that balances advanced thermal features with the need for flexibility and freedom of movement. Its combination of high-performance materials and thoughtful design makes it ideal for tackling a variety of water temperatures and conditions.
Specifications
- Material: The Reired series uses C-Skins’ exclusive Xtend neoprene in the upper body, which provides exceptional stretch and flexibility. ThermoTech neoprene in the lower body provides additional warmth without compromising weight and flexibility.
- Thickness Options: The Rewired series is typically available in 3/2mm, 4/3mm, and even 5/4mm versions. It is adaptable to various water temperatures. The 3/2mm suit is particularly suited for milder conditions, ensuring that skimboarders can enjoy both warmth and maximum mobility.
- Seams: The seams in the Rewired wetsuits are glued and blindstitched, and they include additional taping at critical points. This construction offers enhanced waterproofing and durability while maintaining flexibility in all movement areas.
- Additional Features: This suit features the Dryknit thermal lining on the back panel, which increases warmth retention while also drying quickly. For ease of entry, the suit includes a deep chest zip system that reduces bulk and restriction, enhancing overall comfort and flexibility.
Gul Response Fullsuit
The Gul Response Fullsuit is an excellent choice for skimboarders who need a versatile wetsuit that provides good thermal protection and flexibility. It’s designed to perform well in various water conditions, making it suitable for enthusiasts who experience climate changes or travel frequently with their sport.
Specifications
- Material: The Response series uses Gul’s X-Flex neoprene on the upper body for increased elasticity and freedom of movement, essential for the dynamic actions involved in Skimboarding. The lower body features D-Flex neoprene, which offers additional durability.
- Thickness Options: Available in thicknesses like 3/2mm, 4/3mm, and even thicker options for colder waters. The 3/2mm version is particularly suitable for milder water conditions, providing an excellent balance of warmth and flexibility.
- Seams: The seams are flatlocked, providing comfort and durability suitable for warmer conditions. For colder waters, the higher-end versions feature glued and blindstitched seams, which offer better water resistance and warmth.
- Additional Features: The suit includes Gul’s proprietary Thermospan lining in the chest and back areas, enhancing warmth by trapping body heat. This feature is complemented by mesh panels that reduce wind chill and further increase thermal protection. The suit also has a convenient back-zip entry system, making it easy to put on and take off.
Roxy Prologue Series 3/2mm Fullsuit
The Roxy Prologue, 3/2mm Fullsuit, is an excellent choice for female skimboarders looking for a suit that provides the necessary performance attributes without compromising style or comfort. It’s well-suited for handling the dynamic nature of Skimboarding and ensures that users stay warm and flexible in moderately cool water conditions.
Specifications
- Material: The Prologue series uses Roxy’s Freemax neoprene, This material ensures excellent flexibility and comfort, which are essential for the agile movements required in skimboarding.
- Thickness: The 3/2mm thickness is ideal for cooler but not cold water conditions, typically around 60-65°F (15-18°C). It offers a good balance between warmth and flexibility, allowing for extended periods in the water without overheating or restriction.
- Seams: The seams are glued and blindstitched (GBS), which helps to keep water out while maintaining flexibility and durability. This seam construction is essential for a comfortable fit and long-lasting performance.
- Additional Features: The Prologue series often includes a back-zip entry for easy on and off, which is particularly helpful for quick changes on the beach. The suit also features thermal linings in critical areas to retain warmth and stretch panels that enhance mobility and fit.
Xcel Comp X 3/2mm Fullsuit
The Xcel Comp X 3/2mm Fullsuit is an excellent choice for skimboarders who need a suit that can keep up with the sport’s fast-paced and physically demanding nature. Its advanced materials and thoughtful design ensure top-tier performance, making it a favourite among competitive and recreational water sports enthusiasts.
Specifications
- Material: The Comp X features Xcel’s Nanoprene Lite Japanese Limestone neoprene, which is lighter, warmer, and more environmentally friendly than traditional neoprene. It provides excellent thermal retention and flexibility, which are crucial for the quick and agile movements needed in Skimboarding.
- Thickness: The 3/2mm thickness is perfect for moderate to mild water temperatures, typically ranging from 60-65°F (15-18°C). It offers a great balance of warmth and flexibility, allowing for extended sessions in the water without overheating or feeling restricted.
- Seams: The seams are glued and blindstitched, which enhances durability and water resistance while maintaining flexibility. This construction is essential for comfort and longevity, especially given the dynamic nature of Skimboarding.
- Additional Features: The Comp X series includes a one-piece front and back panel, minimising seams for increased stretch and flexibility. The suit also features a chest zip entry system, which reduces bulk and enhances range of motion, particularly around the shoulders and back.
Key Features To Look For In A Skimboarding Wetsuit
There are 6 key features to look for when choosing a wetsuit for Skimboarding.
- Flexibility: Skimboarding involves quick, agile movements and sometimes tricks, so a wetsuit’s flexibility is crucial. Look for wetsuits made from high-stretch materials like high-grade neoprene or specific stretch zones that allow unrestricted movement.
- Thickness: The thickness of the wetsuit is vital for thermal protection and depends largely on the water temperature where you skimboard. Common thicknesses are 3/2mm (3mm on the body and 2mm on the arms and legs) for mild to cool waters and 4/3mm for cooler conditions. Thinner materials are preferable for warmer waters to maintain flexibility and comfort.
- Seam Construction: Durable seams that prevent water entry are essential for maintaining body temperature. Sealed seams (glued and blindstitched) are ideal as they provide an excellent barrier against water and are flexible enough to move with the body.
- Material: Modern wetsuits are typically made from neoprene, but variations like limestone-based neoprene or plant-based Yulex offer different warmth, flexibility, and environmental impact. These materials are also chosen for their quick-drying properties and lightweight feel.
- Entry System: The design of the entry system (back zip, chest zip, or zipperless) can affect how easy it is to get into and out of the wetsuit, as well as its overall comfort and flexibility. Chest zips and zipperless entries generally provide better flexibility and reduce the chance of water ingress.
- Additional Features: Other considerations include thermal linings for added warmth, anti-rash layers to enhance comfort, and reinforced knees for durability. Mesh skin panels can also reduce wind chill on colder days.
Choosing the right wetsuit for Skimboarding increases your comfort and ability to withstand various water and weather conditions and enhances your performance by allowing free and easy movement. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skimboarder, investing in a quality wetsuit tailored to the needs of Skimboarding is a step towards more effective and enjoyable sessions in the water.
Are Wetusits Nessecary For Skimboarding?
Wetsuits are not strictly necessary for Skimboarding but can be highly beneficial depending on the conditions. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to wear a wetsuit for Skimboarding:
Water Temperature
The primary reason to wear a wetsuit is to maintain body warmth in cooler water. If you’re Skimboarding in colder waters, a wetsuit can help prevent hypothermia and increase your comfort, allowing you to stay in the water longer.
Weather Conditions
In addition to water temperature, the air temperature and wind conditions can affect your decision. A wetsuit provides insulation from cold air and wind, particularly on less sunny days.
Session Duration
If you plan to skimboard for extended periods, a wetsuit can help maintain your core body temperature, which might otherwise drop due to prolonged exposure to cooler water or weather.
Sun Protection
Wetsuits can also protect skin from sun exposure, which is beneficial if you spend long hours in the sun and want to avoid sunburn.
Personal Comfort and Safety
Some people prefer the protective barrier a wetsuit provides against scrapes or stings from marine life. Additionally, the extra buoyancy a wetsuit offers is useful, especially in deeper water.
Location and Personal Preference
Depending on where you skimboard, the conditions might make a wetsuit more necessary. Also, personal tolerance for cold and preference for comfort will significantly influence this decision.
In warmer conditions, where the water and air temperatures are comfortable, a wetsuit may not be necessary, and many skimboarders opt for swimwear or rash guards instead. However, in cooler climates, like in the UK, a wetsuit is valuable equipment for enjoying the sport to its fullest.