What's the best 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit for adults and children?
Introducing the 3/2mm
The ideal neoprene wetsuit for the shoulder season.
A quick reminder: the thickness of a neoprene wetsuit is calculated to maximize both body heat to optimize the duration of your session and flexibility to maximize your performance.
At ONE SURFING CO, we use Japanese YAMAMOTO neoprene. In addition to having an eco-design based on limestone rock to avoid all petrochemical elements, it offers the best of warmth in the most extreme conditions while providing optimum comfort and flexibility.
Everything is calculated on these two very important aspects to maximize your performance.
The placement of the seams is designed to prevent irritation and give you maximum freedom of movement.
Neoprene thickness distribution is also calculated to maximize warmth/weight VS flexibility.
The thickest layer is on the torso and thighs, leaving a thinner layer on the arms/shoulders and lower legs. As a result, heat is contained to key areas and you retain optimum freedom of movement in your rowing and every maneuver.
A little anecdote: Matt (ONE's founder) tested our wetsuits in a completely different register from surfing, the Triathlon. He trained for 6 months on the swimming section of the Hossegor canal with the 3/2mm wetsuit.
He swam all winter without feeling cold but with disconcerting comfort to work on his technique.
He started his race at Ironman 70.3 2023 in Les Sables D'Olonne with his 2/2mm neoprene wetsuit, finishing the swim in 29 minutes for 1.9km. "I've never swum so well..." so is it down to his training or his equipment? A good mix of both is the perfect solution.
So a wetsuit capable of accompanying you on long-distance swims shows its qualities in terms of both performance and comfort.
Yamamoto neoprene is used by all the major brands of triathlon wetsuits.
Matt on the left, proudly wearing his ONE wetsuit, surrounded by his friends in ORCA wetsuits.
Now that we've presented our thoughts and tests on our range of wetsuits, it's time to focus on our 3/2mm wetsuit, available for adults and children.
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Who is the 3/2mm wetsuit designed for?
The 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit is ideal for beginners. At first, you don't necessarily want to surf in very cold water, but you will once your passion for surfing has taken root.
It's a full-body wetsuit that will protect your whole body from impact and UV rays.
In fact, having a full-body suit gives you a feeling of optimal protection, so it's perfect when you're just starting out.
Last but not least, the 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit is an integral part of all surfing equipment, from the experienced surfer to the professional.
It represents the perfect transition from cold winter water to summer. This is what we call performance optimization. The 3/2mm is lighter, more flexible and more comfortable than the 4/3mm, so surfers need to use it to get the most out of every wave.
What's more, for competitors, the 3/2mm is a major asset. They use it for a series of 20-30 minutes, even in the middle of winter, to maximize flexibility in each maneuver at the expense of warmth. But for such a short time, and with the adrenalin pumping, the cold is bearable, so it's wiser to opt for high performance!
Finally, the 3/2mm is the ideal wetsuit for children. It protects against UV rays so you can spend the whole day at the beach. Even in midsummer, kids are more likely to get chilly, so this wetsuit will keep them warm!
In general, when you start surfing, you avoid going in the middle of winter in very cold water. So this wetsuit is perfect for accompanying KIDS on their first waves! It's just the beginning of a long adventure!
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In what water temperature should I use a 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit?
The 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit is ideal to use in water temperatures between 14°C and 18°C. Of course, outside conditions such as wind or lack of sunshine can have an impact on how cold you feel.
It's perfect to use in water temperatures above 18°C. Even if this may affect your surfing performance, as you'll feel heavier on the wave. It's like going for a run in the middle of summer with a sweater on.
The 3/2mm wetsuit is ideal for the in-between seasons, the perfect transition between summer and winter.
Some surfers are lucky enough to be able to wear them all year round, as in Portugal for example, where the water temperature varies very little and remains around 17°C all year round.
For the less chilly, it can replace the 4/3mm in "Les Landes" and "Basque Country". Provided, of course, that you have quality neoprene and an "inner fleece" to maximize warmth. More on this later in the article.
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How long will my 3/2mm suit last?
As this is a wetsuit that will be used mainly in the mid-season, it may last longer than the others.
In fact, it will be used less intensively than a 4/3mm winter suit, which can be used for more than 6 months.
So your 3/2mm will certainly last longer. For intensive use, surfers often change their 4/3mm every year. On the other hand, they can keep their 3/2mm for at least 2 years. It all depends on where you live, the water temperature throughout the year and whether you surf intensively or not.
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What's the best 3/2mm wetsuit?
The best 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit is :
- The one that will keep you warm in the lowest possible temperature of around 14°C.
- The one that's light and flexible to maximize your performance.
- The one that offers incredible freedom of movement compared to your 4/3mm wetsuit.
- The one with excellent, long-lasting neoprene.
- The one with a fair price.
- The one you can recycle at the end of its life.
At ONE SURFING CO, we design our range of neoprene wetsuits for adults and children without making any concessions. We use the best materials available with a strong eco-responsible approach.
As mentioned above, we use YAMAMOTO #40 Japanese neoprene, which currently offers the best performance.
To maximize body heat, we've added an inner lining to the torso and back.
Our pricing is fair and tailored to your practice.
- First of all, we have a take-back program for your used wetsuits, so you can recycle them and get a discount (up to 20% off) on a regular purchase.
- The ONE ATHLETE service: the first neoprene wetsuit subscription. You'll get a new wetsuit every year and save over €100. It's simply a monthly subscription with a minimum 12-month commitment.
- KIDS 4/3mm: €13/month
- KIDS 3/2mm: €11/month
- MEN 4/3mm: €16/month
- MEN 3/2mm: €15/month
Finally, the responsibility to recycle your wetsuits, whatever the brand, must rest on our shoulders. That's why we've set up a process for repairing and recycling used neoprene to optimize its lifespan with various French partners.
We've come full circle, offering quality products for every passionate surfer.
Our collection of wetsuits for adults and children.
Our ONE ATHLETE service.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: [email protected] or send us a message on our social networks @onesurfingco
Happy surfing!
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