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Purchasing children's wetsuits can be a far trickier task than buying one for yourself. When you hold a toddler's wetsuit, it may seem like the cutest thing on Earth, and it is, but finding the appropriate one can be quite a hassle.
That is why we've decided to give you 5 tips when looking for a wetsuit for your little sunshine (and also for the not-so-little teens).
1. Choose the right type of wetsuit
There are several types of wetsuits out there - full suits, shorties, short sleeve only, etc. But how do you decide which one is most appropriate?
The answer is - it depends on the conditions and what the wetsuit will be used for. When we are talking cold/open waters and a grom (the youngster surfers), a full wetsuit is best since Junior will be spending a lot of time in the water, most likely, until he/she gets wrinkled fingers.
If, however, we are talking about a tiny beach lover who enjoys playing out in the sun, building sandcastles, and jumping around in the water, you might prefer a shorty, for example, O'Neill Reactor 2mm SS (to the left). Shorties are usually thinner and are perfect for UV and wind protection without compromising freedom of movement.
2. How thick should it be?
We already touched upon thickness a bit, but the rule of thumb is: go for a thicker wetsuit - 3 mm and above (like O'Neill Reactor II to the right) if the kids are going to spend a long time in the water. If you are looking solely for something to keep your kiddo safe from the harsh sun or the chilly wind, a 2mm wetsuit is good enough.
3. Think of the zip!
The zip system is also worth considering because getting in and out of the wetsuit might turn out to be a tricky situation as well. Chest zippers provide the best insulation from water but are harder to put on. Back-zips, however, are much easier to put on and take off.
4. Let them play, give them freedom
Kids can be like small energy bombs, so the stretchier the wetsuit, the better. When the neoprene has a good stretch, they can jump around, swim, and play more freely. That's part of being at the beach, isn't it?
5. The size
Yes, they grow quickly, like weeds. And often you'd go a size bigger when you are getting clothes for your child, exactly due to this. However, when it comes to wetsuits, you should be more careful about going oversize because, after all, a wetsuit should feel snug and tight to insulate from the cold. If you are choosing a wetsuit for surfer kids, it is better to get the right size since they will need good insulation during long sessions. However, you can pick a slightly bigger one if you are thinking primarily of sun and wind protection.
All that said, we hope that we have made your task at least a little bit easier. If you found the wetsuit you are looking for in our video, check out our SkatePro website - they are all there. Also, if you want to learn more about wetsuits and get into details when picking one, go to our wetsuit buyers' guide.
Aloha!
