How warm does a wetsuit keep you?

Mine keeps me fairly warm. Getting in is still a bit tough because what wet suits do is warm a small layer of water near your skin. So, the water still comes in cold, but once you get going it warms up quickly.

-k

If you're going to swim in water below about 65 it'll be well worth it. If you honestly don't like being cold, up that to water below 70 will be well worth it.

Your initial entry will still shock your feet and face but that goes away fast.

Yeah..its not going to be fun (if you hate cold water), but its going to be a hell of a lot more fun with the wetsuit, that is for sure. It would be interesting to see the stats in terms of how long you can be in X degree water (without suffering initial stages of hypothermia) with a wetsuit as opposed to without a wetsuit. It has to be a significant difference and I am sure its out there somewhere.

And remember...staying warm is only one benefit. THink of the speed and buoyancy benefits as a bonus!

Several places rent wetsuits and will apply the rent to a purchase.  Speedforrent.com  speedyreedy.com   plus there are others advertised here on BT

55f is ok in mine, once it gets into the 40's i can only swim about a mile or so.  Really hard to get into water sub 55F and put your face in at first.

Wow, nobody yet? Taking it easy on the new guy?

HTFU!



PS My wetsuit keeps me toasty warm

I can vouch for wetsuits in different scenarios. 

My tri wetsuit keeps me very warm...the small amount of cold water that gets in is quickly warmed by my body temp. 

I was a member of a dive/rescue team and did several cold water dives, where we cut holes in the ice to get access to the water.  This was before the "dry" suits were cost effective for agencies to purchase. 

We tried several different suits which varied in thickness.....I can attest to the obvious....the thicker the neoprene the warmer you will be, but you will sacrifice movement of your arms and legs, which isn't desirable for free swimming. 

We used Noxzema on our faces to lessen the mammalian effect cold water produces when the human face is submerged in cold water.  So if you are truly concerned about the cold you can try that trick......but be prepared to have someone make fun of you!

Let's clarify.  Unless the water is somewhat warm to begin with, a wetsuit will not keep you 'warm' but take the edge off for sure.

If you jump in ice cold water, you will have to flood your suit which is cold.  Body heat warms the water enough to make it tolerable, but you will never feel 'balmy'.

I guess I'm trying to say that it will turn freezing conditions to tolerable conditions, but you won't be toasty...

My first tri was in 58 degree water.  The wetsuit kept my body warm but the cold sucked the air out of my lungs when I stuck my face in the water.  On another note, I teamed up with a group of open water swimmers in my area for a few practice swims.  These are guys that do open water events around the world.  My first time with them, the water was 62.  I wore my wetsuit and they all just jumped in and swam a mile in their speedos.  My point is that if you get used to the colder water like the guys I just mentioned, it will be no big deal.  If you are like me, get the wetsuit. 

DEPENDS IF YOU PEE IN IT OR NOT

Having the suit being filled with warm pee as you enter the cold water helps take the edge off.  I'll admit it I've done it.  I had an in-water start this spring that was delayed 10 minutes.  I didn't want to get out of the water because the air was colder than the 63 degree water.  Nothing like the warm feeling enveloping your body.  Doesn't last long but a good pick-me-up nonetheless.

A well fitting wetsuit will fill with water slowly so there wont be a huge shock when you enter except for areas of exposed skin.

Edited by Mrdaner 2009-09-23 12:49 PM

It's also helpful on a cold day when you have to stand around on the beach waiting for your wave to start. I have worn a wetsuit in a race before not because of the swim, but because I didn't want to freeze waiting for the race to start.

x2 on the wetsuit filling up with water slowly, if it fits right. You will be warm until the water starts seeping in. Then the water will warm up next to your body, and you'll be warm again.

I did a 52 degree swim in a race once. My hands and feet were blocks of ice and I had that face phenomenon described above, but the rest of me was OK.

I'm seeing myself in you few years ago Been struggling when it come to a cold, lol. But some experts advised me that it definitely does help. Now, I have done a 66 degree OWS.

*Scrolling old threads to get ideas