The Complete Guide to Wetsuits: Selection, Dressing, and Adjusting Your Swimming Feel

Introduction

“Wearing a wetsuit feels like my neck is being choked, my arms can’t lift, and I’m slower than without it.” This is a common complaint among athletes using a wetsuit for the first time. The wetsuit is the most controversial piece of equipment in open-water swimming—used correctly, it’s a tool to improve performance; used incorrectly, it’s a straitjacket that binds you.

In Taiwan, wetsuit requirements vary by event: triathlon rules typically allow wetsuits only when water temperature is below 24.6°C, and the Sun Moon Lake swim in autumn sees water temperatures around 22–24°C, right at the borderline of optional use. Understanding wetsuits lets you fully leverage their advantages when needed.

Three Major Benefits of Wetsuits

For most amateur athletes, a well-fitted wetsuit can shave about 5–8 seconds off every 100 meters in open water.

Wetsuit Buying Guide

Thickness Selection

• 1.5mm: Typically used at joints for flexibility
• 3mm: Standard thickness for arms and legs, balancing warmth and flexibility
• 5mm: Core-area warmth version, for water temperatures below 18°C

Taiwan race water temperatures usually range from 20–26°C, so a full-suit 3/2mm wetsuit (3mm core, 2mm limbs) is sufficient for most people.

Style Selection

• Full Suit: Provides the most complete warmth and buoyancy, suitable for Taiwan’s autumn and winter races
• Sleeveless/Shorty: No arm restriction, suitable for warmer water (>22°C)
• Racing vs. Training: Racing suits use ultra-elastic rubber for better feel in the water but cost more; training suits are durable and affordable

Fit is critical: A wetsuit must be snug but not restrict breathing. When trying one on, bending your arms should not feel noticeably tight, and your abdomen should be able to expand with a deep breath.

Proper Wearing Method (Key Steps)

Putting on a wetsuit takes more time than you’d think—practice a few times before race day:

1. Feet first: Sit down, insert one foot at a time, and gradually pull the rubber up—don’t yank it
2. Ensure ankles and insteps fit snugly: If air pockets form at the ankles, they’ll create drag once you’re in the water
3. Pull the legs up to the thighs: Take advantage of the rubber’s stretch; don’t let it bunch up behind the knees
4. Pull up the waist: Make sure the rubber at the waist is smooth with no wrinkles
5. Insert arms: Put in your non-dominant arm first, pulling it up to the shoulder
6. Zip up (back-zip style): Have a helper zip the back zipper—it needs to go all the way to the top
7. Adjust the neck collar: The collar should sit 2–3cm below the neck; if it’s too high, it will feel like choking

Pro tip: Apply a little baby oil or silicone lubricant to your ankles and wrists to significantly speed up putting on and taking off, without damaging the rubber.

Quick Post-Swim Removal (T1 Optimization)

In triathlon T1 transitions, quickly removing the wetsuit is a key skill:

1. Unzip immediately after exiting the water: Reach back and pull the zipper cord
2. Push down the shoulders: Cross your arms and quickly push the wetsuit down to your waist
3. Sit down and kick off with your feet: Step on the wetsuit below your waist and kick your feet out
4. Leave it on the ground: Don’t bother folding the wetsuit—just drop it at T1 and keep racing

With practice, the entire removal process should take 20–30 seconds. Simulate this multiple times during training and time yourself.

Training Tips for Swimming in a Wetsuit

When first swimming in a wetsuit, many people experience:

• A tight, choking sensation around the neck
• Restricted arm range during the pull
• Excessive buoyancy that makes kicking feel pointless

These sensations usually improve significantly after 2–3 sessions. Recommendations:

• Swim only 500 meters the first time to let your body get used to the feel
• Adjust your pull: With increased buoyancy, your hand entry angle should be slightly shallower, and you don’t need to kick hard
• Adjust breathing frequency: With a higher body position, breathing becomes easier—try reducing your breathing frequency

Practical Tips

• Practice swimming in your wetsuit at least 3 times before race day—don’t wear it for the first time on race day
• Carry lubricant: On race day, apply Body Glide or petroleum jelly to your neck and armpits to prevent rubber chafing
• Check wetsuit rules: Confirm race regulations, as some events restrict wetsuit thickness

Conclusion

The wetsuit is an essential companion for open-water swimming in Taiwan’s autumn and winter seasons. Take the time to find a well-fitted wetsuit, learn the correct way to put it on, and practice thoroughly before race day—then you can fully enjoy the speed and sense of security it provides, rather than fighting a binding garment in the water.

Related Reading

• Wetsuit Selection and Donning/Doffing: The Complete Guide to Essential Open-Water Gear
• Open-Water Wetsuit Buying Guide: Complete Guide to Thickness, Buoyancy Assistance, and Donning/Doffing Techniques
• Wetsuit Buying Guide: Thickness, Buoyancy, and Mobility for Triathlon Wetsuits
• Wetsuit vs. Skin Swimming: The Complete Guide to Open-Water Attire Strategies for Triathletes