Wetsuits women

Women float naturally differently in the water than men. Wider hips, wider lower legs and a lower centre of gravity mean that the female lower body naturally lies higher in the water. A women's wetsuit takes this into account: the neoprene distribution, fit and buoyancy are specifically calibrated to the female anatomy. The result is a suit that helps you swim faster, stay warm and waste less energy — precisely the energy you will need later on the bike and in the running section.

A women's wetsuit is suitable for triathletes who want to perform in competitions, recreational swimmers who enjoy open water and athletes who are looking for protection against the cold. The main selection criteria are buoyancy in relation to your swimming level, sleeve length, flexibility of the neoprene at the shoulders and fit on your specific body build.

What makes a women's wetsuit different?

A women's wetsuit is not a scaled-down men's suit. The construction differs fundamentally from a men's model on multiple points.

The torso is shorter on the back and legs, so the suit fits the typically shorter female torso without too much material at the waist. There is more room at chest and hips for a comfortable fit without pinching. The shoulder area is finished narrower so that arm rotation during front crawl is as free as possible. And the buoyancy is set to neutral to medium, because the female lower body naturally already has higher floating properties.

Wearing a men's suit as a woman leads to water ingress, uncomfortable tension at the wrong spots and loss of the warmth-retaining and buoyancy function. Always choose a suit specifically designed for the female anatomy.

Which women's wetsuit suits you?

The right choice depends on your swimming level, water temperature and the distance you swim. The following scenarios help you quickly find the right direction.

You are at the start of your triathlon adventure and want to float better straight away: Choose a women's wetsuit with medium buoyancy in the lower body. Because women naturally float well, maximum buoyancy is not necessary for most beginners and can even disrupt the swimming position. Medium buoyancy gives you the support you need as a beginner without your legs coming too high. Also read our triathlon beginner's guide for more starter tips.

You are an experienced swimmer and want maximum efficiency in the water: Choose a women's wetsuit with neutral buoyancy. You already have a good horizontal position in the water and do not need extra support. The focus is entirely on minimum resistance at shoulder rotation and as smooth a front crawl movement as possible.

You are doing a half or full triathlon and want to start the cycling section fresh: Choose a wetsuit with slightly more buoyancy than you would normally choose. On the longer distances, every saving on leg work pays off in the cycling and running sections. Also view our blog about triathlon distances for more information on the different formats.

You swim in cold water and want to retain your warmth for as long as possible: Choose a women's wetsuit with long sleeves and GBS or Taped seams. Long sleeves are nowadays standard and offer clearly more warmth retention than a sleeveless variant, especially at water temperatures below 18 degrees. For swimmers with a smaller chest size a long-sleeved wetsuit is moreover the better choice for a good fit at the shoulders.

You train in relatively warm open water and want maximum arm freedom: A sleeveless women's wetsuit is then an option. Bear in mind that with a smaller chest size you may experience some extra water ingress at the shoulders. With a larger chest size the neoprene naturally fits better here and sleeveless is a comfortable choice.

You swim recreationally and use the breaststroke: Choose an open water breaststroke wetsuit. This has more neoprene freedom around hips and knees so the breaststroke movement is not hindered. Less focused on speed but more on comfort and protection at different swimming strokes.

Buoyancy: the key for women

The buoyancy choice is crucial in women's wetsuits, and different from men. Where men generally need more buoyancy to compensate for sinking legs, the opposite is a common problem for women: too much buoyancy pushes the legs too high up, causing a hollow back and the swimming strokes becoming unnatural.

Neutral buoyancy gives you a flat, controlled position in the water. Ideal for advanced swimmers who already have an efficient front crawl and actively use their legs while swimming.

Medium buoyancy offers some extra support without exaggerating. The most versatile choice for swimmers who are still working on their horizontal position but do not want to risk a leg position that is too high.

Maximum buoyancy is useful at longer triathlon distances where you consciously do less leg work to save energy, or for swimmers who despite the female anatomy still suffer from sinking legs.

Fit: the most critical factor

A women's wetsuit must fit like a second skin. No pinching, no sagging, no air bubbles in the back and no excess material at the waist or armpits. A suit that is too large loses its warmth-retaining and buoyancy function due to water ingress. A suit that is too small restricts breathing and shoulder rotation.

Women's wetsuits are available in standard sizes from XS to XL. For swimmers with an atypical body build there are special intermediate sizes: SM (Small Medium) for narrower and less tall, and ST (Small Tall) for slim and tall. An ST size gives slimly and tallly built swimmers a better fit than a regular S or M.

Every brand has its own size specifications. Always check the size chart of the specific model. In doubt? Come by our triathlon store in Volkel for a fitting session with personal advice. Also view our range of men's wetsuits if you are looking for a suit for a male swimmer.

Competition regulations for women's wetsuits

Are you participating in a triathlon competition? Then specific rules apply for the use of a wetsuit. At most competitions a wetsuit is compulsory below a certain water temperature and prohibited above a certain temperature. The maximum thickness is 5mm. Always check the regulations of the organisation before your competition, as the exact temperature limits can differ per organisation.

Our advice: If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one. A wetsuit may feel tight when putting it on; after a few minutes in the water the neoprene adapts to your body heat and becomes more supple. A suit that is too loose is always disadvantageous in competitions. Combine your wetsuit with the right women's trisuits for a complete race kit that also saves you time in the transition zone.

Who is a women's triathlon wetsuit suitable for?

• Beginning triathletes who swim in open water for the first time and benefit from extra warmth retention and a supportive swimming position.
• Advanced triathletes who want to optimise every second and choose maximum shoulder flexibility and a precisely calibrated buoyancy.
• Recreational open water swimmers who swim in lakes, rivers or the sea and are looking for protection against cold and current.
• Long distance triathletes who want to spare their leg muscles as much as possible in the swimming section at a half or full triathlon.

A women's triathlon wetsuit is not suitable for pool training and is not permitted at competitions above a certain water temperature. Also view our range of triathlon clothing for supplementary race kit.

Need help with your choice?

We will be happy to help you. You can reach our wetsuit specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our triathlon store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about women's triathlon wetsuits

Why can't I wear a men's suit as a woman?

A men's suit is longer on the back and legs, narrower at chest and hips and has more buoyancy in the lower body. For women this leads to water ingress at chest and shoulders, tension at the wrong spots and a disrupted swimming position due to too much buoyancy in the lower body. A women's wetsuit is specifically constructed for the female anatomy and therefore always performs better for a woman.

How do I know which buoyancy I need as a woman?

Do you have a good horizontal swimming position and an active leg kick? Choose neutral buoyancy. Do you notice your legs sinking or are you a beginner? Choose medium buoyancy. Maximum buoyancy is for women only useful at long triathlon distances where you consciously do minimal leg work to save energy for the cycling and running section.

Which sleeve length is better for women?

For most swimmers a long-sleeved wetsuit is the better choice. Modern flexible neoprene panels make the former stiffness at the shoulders unnecessary, so long sleeves are no longer a disadvantage. Long sleeves also offer more warmth retention and a better fit, especially for swimmers with a smaller chest size. A sleeveless wetsuit is a good option in warm water or if you have a clear preference for maximum arm freedom.

What are the special intermediate sizes for women's wetsuits?

In addition to the standard sizes XS to XL there are the sizes SM (Small Medium) for narrower and less tall, and ST (Small Tall) for slim and tall. If you are slim and tall built, always check whether an ST is available. An ST gives a better fit than a regular S or M for this body build, which directly influences the performance of the suit in the water.

What is the difference between a front crawl and breaststroke wetsuit for women?

A women's front crawl wetsuit has maximum flexibility at the shoulders and a buoyancy that supports the horizontal swimming position. This is the standard choice for triathlon and open water competitions. A breaststroke wetsuit has more neoprene freedom around hips and knees for the typical knee movements in breaststroke. Suitable for recreational open water swimming where speed is less important than comfort.

How do I maintain my women's triathlon wetsuit?

Rinse the suit thoroughly after each use with clean, cold water to remove salt, chlorine and dirt. Dry on a wide hanger or laid flat, never in direct sunlight. Store the suit rolled up or flat, never folded double at the same spot to prevent permanent creasing. Never use a washing machine or dryer. A well-maintained wetsuit lasts several seasons.