Childrens Wetsuits:
Tips on Buying a Kids Wetsuit

Whether swimming, scuba diving or surfing, you’ll want to choose the kids wetsuits that provide the maximum protection and comfort. Having the right information at your fingertips can ensure that you get your little swimmer exactly the wetsuit he needs.

There are some basic criteria that apply to both adult and child sized wetsuits. We have a full wetsuit buyers guide which you can check out but we will go over the most important elements here.

There are also some issues that make buying childrens wetsuits a little more challenging than adult suits. We will also address those issues in this article.

Of course, everyone is different so what works for one person may not work for another. You probably have a general idea of how cold your child gets in the water. If he or she is always coming out blue lipped and shaking, you may want to try a slightly thicker child wetsuit to start out with.

The following is a general guide to help you choose a starting point for the proper thickness for your kids wetsuit:

• 2 mm: Water temperatures above 85 F; my shorty is 2 mm and it is fine for me in the Caribbean
• 3 mm: Water temperatures between 70-85 F; this is usually the norm for scuba diving in the Caribbean
• 5 mm: Water temperatures between 60-70 F
• 6.5 mm Water temperatures between 50-70; at the lower end you are getting into drysuit territory - probably not water your child will be swimming in.

You will see some suits with 2 numbers, for instance a 4/3 full suit. A note on A 4/3 full suit has a 4mm thickness in the body and 3mm in the arms and legs. The thicker portion covers the core of your body to keep you warmer, while the second number covers your extremities and is a little thinner allowing some extra mobility.

Kids wetsuits that have short legs that end just above the knees and short sleeves are shortie (shorty) suits. This is probably the most popular type of wetsuits for children that are swimming (as opposed to scuba diving) since it offers warmth but has more room for movement than a full suit.

Childrens wetsuits that have full legs but no arms is called a farmer john.

The type that is best for your child depends on what they will want to do in it. For scuba diving, especially in cooler water, a full suit is recommended.

If your child is swimming and running around in the water and just plain being a kid, and the water temperature is in the high 70's or so, shorty suits would probably be the best choice. They offer warmth but also allow for more flexibility.

This is not to say that you want the cheapest suit for your child since you want them to be comfortable (cheap suits tend to have seams that stick up and can be uncomfortable). But you also probably don't want to spend a ton of money on a suit that will only last a summer.

A medium quality childs wetsuit should be fine - offering comfort and protection at a reasonable price.

You can often judge the quality of the suit by how strong the seams are. The better the quality of the suit, the more secure the seams will be. Seams that fit tightly together, are smooth (lay down), have blind or flat lock stitching (see our page on buying a wetsuit for details) and are reinforced by either glue or a second piece of fabric over the seam signify a well-made suit. Seams that have bumps, ridges or exposed stitching are the sign of a cheaper suit.

A wetsuit is meant to be snug for a proper fit. If the childs wetsuit is too loose, water will run freely through it which makes it lose its insulating properties.

Of course, you have to balance this with your child's growth. Though a snug fit is generally recommended to ensure maximum warmth, allowing a small amount of growth room in children’s suits can be doable and can be a money saver. But don't buy it too big or your child will not get any warming qualities from the suit.

While childrens wetsuits are meant to be snug, they should still be able to have movement. Have them cross their arms in front of their chest. If their movements are very restricted, you may need to go up a size and vice versa.

If you see folds in the suit at their armpits or crotch, you should go down a size.

It is hard to give a size chart since childrens wetsuit sizes will vary by manufacturer. But once you choose a manufacturer, almost all have a sizing chart to help you choose the right one for your child.

As we discussed above, a unique consideration for children’s wetsuits is the fact that children tend to grow rather rapidly, limiting the lifespan of the suit for your child. For this reason, it may be worth your while to consider buying a good quality used suit. Just be aware that neoprene does lose its insulating quality over time so that bargain may not be such a great deal after all.

Photos by mikebaird and qwrrty. Thanks!

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