When diving into the world of water sports, choosing the right gear is crucial. While selecting the perfect wetsuit is important, knowing what to wear underneath can significantly enhance your comfort and performance. While some people swear the only way to wear a wetsuit is being naked underneath, some wear bathing suits or sports underwear. But which is the best way, and is there a right or a wrong way to do it? Whether you are a professional or an amateur watersports enthusiast – this guide will help you navigate the best options for undergarments to ensure you stay warm, flexible, and comfortable in the water.
In this article, you will get answers to the following questions:
- Do you have to wear anything under a wetsuit?
- How to avoid getting rashes in a wetsuit?
- What to wear under a too thin wetsuit to make it warmer?
- And, what to wear under a wetsuit to put it on more easily?
- Do you wear a bathing suit under a wetsuit?
Do You Wear Anything Under a Wetsuit?
Do you wear clothes under a wetsuit? Do you wear a bathing suit under a wetsuit? Do you wear anything under a wetsuit at all?
Admittedly, wetsuit undergarments are not the first concern one has, when planning a wetsuit-worthy water adventure. Nevertheless, besides the questions of how to choose the perfect wetsuit and how to break into a wetsuit correctly, wearing the right thing underneath your wetsuit can enhance the fun you have in the water immensely.
Do You Have to Wear Anything Under a Wetsuit?
While it’s not absolutely necessary to wear something under your wetsuit, doing so can enhance comfort, warmth, and hygiene. The choice depends on personal preference, water temperature, and the type of activity you’re engaging in.
The benefits of wearing undergarments underneath your wetsuit include:
1. Reduces Chafing: Wearing something under your wetsuit can help reduce chafing and skin irritation, especially in areas where the wetsuit may rub against your skin, like your neck, underarms, and groin.
2. Extra Layer of Warmth: An additional layer provides extra insulation, keeping you warmer in colder waters. Even a thin layer like a rash guard or swimwear can make a noticeable difference.
3. Hygiene: Wearing something underneath helps keep your wetsuit cleaner. Body oils, sweat, and other residues can accumulate inside your wetsuit, making it necessary to wash it more frequently.
In warmer water conditions, you might find it comfortable to wear nothing under your wetsuit. The wetsuit itself can provide sufficient comfort and protection. Also, some people might prefer the feeling of a wetsuit directly against their skin and might find it more comfortable without additional layers.
The Options for Wetsuit Undergarments
If you chose to give wetsuit undergarments a choice, you will encounter a bunch of different types of undergarments. It will be best, to experiment and figure out which type suits your comfort and your performance best. The main types of wetsuit undergarments include:
Rash Guards: These are thin, stretchy shirts designed to be worn in the water. They offer protection against chafing and some added warmth without adding bulk.
Swimwear: Simple swim trunks, bikinis, or one-piece swimsuits are common choices. They are minimalistic and provide basic coverage.
Wetsuit Liners: These are specially designed for wearing under wetsuits and can be made from materials like neoprene or fleece for added warmth.
Thermal Base Layers: For diving or swimming in extremely cold water, thermal base layers made from synthetic materials or merino wool provide significant insulation.
Compression Gear: Compression shorts and tops can also be worn under a wetsuit. They offer muscle support and moisture-wicking properties.
What to Wear Under Your Wetsuit?
Choosing the right undergarment to wear under your wetsuit enhances comfort, warmth, and performance in the water. Whether you’re dealing with warm or cold water, options like swimwear, rash guards, and thermal base layers can meet your needs. By considering water temperature, fit, and material, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience in the water.
What do Men and Women Wear Under Their Wetsuits?
When choosing what to wear under a wetsuit, men and women may have different preferences and needs due to variations in body shape, comfort requirements, and personal preferences.
Typically, men’s wetsuits are designed with broader shoulders and a straighter cut. Men might prefer wearing compression shorts or athletic underwear for comfort and to reduce friction.
Men might experience chafing around the neck, armpits, and groin area. To mitigate this, they often wear compression garments or apply wetsuit lubricants. Women on the other hand may experience chafing mostly around the chest, waist, and thighs. A one-piece swimsuit or dive skin can help reduce friction and increase comfort.
Reading Tip
You want to know, how to avoid getting rashes in a wetsuit? Check out our informative Guide for wetsuit rashes to learn more!What to wear under their wetsuit is for females more a question of support than anything else. Women may require additional support, especially for the chest. A supportive sports bra or a one-piece swimsuit can provide the necessary support and comfort.
Support is generally not a primary concern for men. They often opt for simple, tight-fitting undergarments like boxer briefs or compression shorts.
Regardless of gender, ensuring that your undergarments fit well is crucial for comfort and performance. A handful of Tips will help you, to ensure a comfortable experience in your wetsuit undergarments of choice:
- Avoid Cotton: Cotton retains water and can become heavy, increasing discomfort.
- Check for Seams: Choose seamless or flatlock-seamed garments to minimize chafing.
- Experiment: Try different combinations to find what works best for your body and the specific activity.
What to wear under a wetsuit in cold water?
Of course, you could simply wear a thicker wetsuit. Wetsuits do come in a variation of different wetsuit thicknesses. But if you do not want to spend money on five different wetsuits, just to be able to adapt to the water temperatures and be able to go completely commando underneath, we might have a better solution for you.
If your wetsuit is too thin for the water temperature, you can enhance its warmth by wearing additional layers underneath. These layers can be:
- Heated Vests
- Neoprene Gloves and Socks
- Polypropylene or Merino Wool Base Layers
- Full Body Wetsuit Liners
- Wetsuit Hooded Vests
- Thermal Rash Guards
Ensure that each layer fits snugly without restricting movement. Layers that are too tight can reduce mobility and comfort. But be mindful of the combined thickness of layers to avoid bulk that could impede movement.
By choosing the right combination of these layers, you can significantly increase the warmth of a too-thin wetsuit, allowing you to stay comfortable and safe in colder water conditions.
What to Wear Under Your Wetsuit to Make it Easier to Put it on?
Putting on a wetsuit can sometimes be challenging, especially when the material is dry or snug-fitting. Wearing certain types of undergarments can help reduce friction and make the process smoother.
Tips for Easier Wetsuit Application:
- Stay Dry: Ensure your skin and the wetsuit are dry when putting it on, as dry neoprene slides over dry skin more easily.
- Apply Lubricant: Use wetsuit lubricants sparingly on key areas like wrists, ankles, and around the neck.
- Use Plastic Bags: Put a plastic bag over your feet and hands to help them slide through the wetsuit more smoothly.
- Take Your Time: Gradually pull the wetsuit on, making sure to adjust it incrementally rather than trying to pull it up all at once.
- Proper Positioning: Ensure each section of the wetsuit is properly aligned and in place before moving to the next section (legs, then waist, then arms).
If none of the tips helped, or you simply want a different solution, manufacturers actually designed specific undergarments to make breaking into your wetsuit a lot easier. Those designs include:
1. Rash Guards
- Description: Thin, lightweight tops that fit snugly against the skin.
- Material: Made from spandex, nylon, or polyester.
- Benefit: Creates a smooth layer between your skin and the wetsuit, reducing friction.
2. Dive Skins
- Description: Full-body suits that are extremely thin and designed to be worn under wetsuits.
- Material: Typically made from Lycra or spandex.
- Benefit: Covers the entire body, making it easier to slide into the wetsuit and providing an additional layer of protection against chafing.
3. Compression Shorts or Leggings
- Description: Tight-fitting shorts or leggings often used in sports.
- Material: Usually made from a blend of spandex and nylon or polyester.
- Benefit: Reduces friction and makes it easier to pull the wetsuit over your legs.
4. Wetsuit Lubricants
- Description: Specially formulated sprays or gels designed to be applied to the skin or the inside of the wetsuit.
- Material: Typically silicone-based.
- Benefit: Significantly reduces friction, making it easier to slide into the wetsuit.
5. Thin Socks
- Description: Lightweight socks that fit snugly.
- Material: Made from Lycra, spandex, or thin neoprene.
- Benefit: Helps your feet slide into the wetsuit legs more easily.
6. Silk or Synthetic Underwear
- Description: Lightweight and smooth underwear.
- Material: Silk or synthetic blends like nylon and spandex.
- Benefit: Provides a slippery layer that reduces friction between your skin and the wetsuit.
7. Wetsuit Shorts
- Description: Thin neoprene shorts designed to be worn under a wetsuit.
- Material: Usually made from 1-2mm neoprene.
- Benefit: Adds a layer that helps the wetsuit slide on more easily and provides extra warmth.
Different Sports – Different Wetsuit Undergarments?
Different water activities of course will come with specific needs, and choosing the perfect outfit can be a crucial factor in your performance. You want to go scuba diving in the cold depths of the ocean, or you need a lot of range of motion to learn how to kitesurf and steer your kite up in the air or perform cool tricks on a surf board?
Each Sport has its own rules and if your outfit, including what you wear underneath your wetsuit, play by those rules, your body will be thanking you!
What to Wear Under a Scuba Wetsuit?
In scuba diving, as in any other sport, personal comfort is paramount. Some divers prefer minimal coverage, while others opt for more layers, depending on their tolerance to cold and personal preferences. Consider how easy it is to put on and take off the undergarments, especially when dealing with wet conditions.
Scuba diving requires a minimum of motion range. Because of that, you can fully focus on insulating your core and extremities, as these areas are most susceptible to heat loss. Whether you feel more comfortable in multiple layers or in a one-piece-thermal-underwear – go with what feels best for you when choosing what to wear under a scuba wetsuit!
Material wise, experienced scuba divers opt for clothes that are capable of wicking away moisture. Diving can be quite a sweaty activity, and choosing undergarments with moisture-wicking properties can greatly enhance your comfort during the dive.
Reading Tip
Fabrics such as merino wool or synthetic blends that are designed to wick away moisture help regulate body temperature and keep you feeling dry, even while underwater.
What to Wear Under a Wetsuit for Surfing?
Choosing what to wear under a wetsuit for surfing can significantly enhance your comfort and performance. Varying from hot and tropical conditions to catching waves in the icy Arctic Ocean, it is impossible to name one perfect wetsuit undergarment for surfing. The basics of surfing outfit alterations are:
→ Rash guards are an excellent option as they protect against chafing and add a layer of warmth. Typically made of spandex or Lycra, these quick-drying materials also provide UV protection.
→ Surf shorts or swim trunks offer comfort and modesty, ideally made from quick-drying fabrics and fitting well under the wetsuit without bunching up.
→ For colder waters, thermal vests and shorts made of neoprene or other thermal materials add extra insulation. These should fit closely to provide warmth without adding bulk.
→ Neoprene socks and gloves are also essential for keeping extremities warm in cold water, fitting snugly to prevent water from entering.
→ Women can benefit from sports bras and compression shorts, which provide support and comfort. These should be made from quick-drying and breathable fabrics, offering good support without being too tight.
→ In extremely cold conditions, base layers such as thermal or merino wool can provide additional warmth. These should be thin enough to fit comfortably under the wetsuit.
Comfort and fit are crucial, ensuring that undergarments fit snugly without restricting movement. Look for flatlock seams to reduce chafing. Mobility is also important; choose flexible materials that allow for a full range of motion, crucial for paddling and surfing. Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics to keep you dry and comfortable, and select high-quality materials that can withstand repeated exposure to saltwater and sun.
By selecting the appropriate undergarments, you can enhance your surfing experience, staying comfortable and focused on catching the perfect wave while trying out the wide range of surf paradises around the planet.
Conclusion: Finding the Wetsuit Undergarments that Fit You Best
Finding the perfect undergarments for your wetsuit is essential for maximizing comfort, performance, and enjoyment during water activities. Whether you’re surfing, scuba diving, or swimming, male or female, pro or beginner – choosing the right layers can make a significant difference in your experience.
Rash guards, thermal vests, and quick-drying fabrics can enhance your comfort and provide the necessary protection. Remember, the perfect undergarment should fit snugly without restricting movement, offer protection against chafing, and be made from durable materials that can withstand the elements. By taking the time to find the right undergarments, you’ll be better equipped to stay warm, comfortable, and focused on enjoying your water adventures.
