Alain Bouched Leather Motorcycle Jackets

Shorty Gloves

Surfing Wetsuits 101 – How to Pick the Best Wetsuits for Surfing

Winter is a fact of life for many people who enjoy the sport of surfing. However, cold air and water temperatures don't have to stop your sessions! Enter the wetsuit, probably the single biggest invention in surfing since the surfboard itself.

Wetsuits are tight fitting bodysuits made of flexible neoprene rubber. They work by trapping a thin layer of water between the neoprene and the skin. The body heats up this water, thus keeping the surfer warm.

When picking out a suit, you're going to want to get one that is specifically designed for surfing. That means seeking out your local surf shop. Don't go to a dive shop or swimming store. Surfing wetsuits are specially made to endure the specific repetitive motions that surfers make when they're out in the ocean. For example, non-surfing suits can have seams in bad places that will cause major rashes when you've been paddling for a few hours.

Wetsuits come in different cuts, from short-sleeve spring suits (or shorties) to fullsuits with hoods. When it gets very cold, booties and gloves are also available. Caps and hoods are also available for suits that don't have them already attached.

Surfers often have a quiver of wetsuits to accompany their quiver of different boards, especially in areas where the seasons change dramatically.

There are a variety of thicknesses from which to choose. From thin 2 mm spring suits, to 2/3 mm fullsuits, 4/3's, 5/4/3's, and 6/5/4's. These numbers reference how thick the neoprene is in millimeters for different areas of the suit. Often the thickest neoprene will be in the torso and thighs, while the thinner areas will be on the arms and calves.

When getting a wetsuit, it's important to set aside a block of time in order to try them on. Each company uses different models and they all have a slightly different fit.

The fit should be snug. Don't buy them too loose or water will be able to freely enter the suit and the insulating effect will be lost. This means you shouldn't buy a kid's suit a few sizes too big so they can grow into it. They might as well not wear a suit at all. The neck is an important area to pay attention to. The collar should be snug so that water doesn't freely enter and exit.

When looking at the pricetag, you do tend to get what you pay for. There are several different makes and models from each company, from budget to luxury. Often the higher priced wetsuits will have all sorts of cool things like sealed seams and improved zippers and entry/exit schemes.

To learn more about surfing wetsuits, visit The Surfing Handbook's Wetsuit Page

About the Author

Hayley Gordon is an avid surfer and webmaster of The Surfing Handbook

Vegas Shorty Gloves $17.99 River Road Vegas Shorty Gloves Genuine leather construction Reinforced palm Metal studded back 1-year manufacturer's warranty

Pecos Shorty Gloves $15.99 River Road Pecos Shorty Gloves Combination of leather and mesh construction Stretch fabric between fingers Textured rubber grip 1-year manufacturer's warranty

Tucson Shorty Gloves $22.99 River Road Tucson Shorty Gloves Perforated leather back Gel padding in the palm provides comfort and nerve protection on long rides All River Road gloves include a 1-year manufacturer's warranty

Shorty Leather Gloves $39.99 Racer Shorty Leather Gloves The Shorty is a short cuff 3-season glove for the hop-on-your-bike-and-go ride. Product Features Soft Aniline all leather construction Short cuff, no lining Soft armor on the knuckles Fitment Specifications The Shorty runs true to size and breaks in very well Available in black, sizes XS-2XL **Closeouts are limited to stock on hand**

Shorty $6 Shorty

Women's Mojave Shorty Gloves $49.99 Firstgear Women's Mojave Shorty Gloves Features: Goat skin palm and back Perforated leather for ventilation Palm gel pad reduces vibration Box construction with tapered finger for comfort Fingerless thumb, index and middle finger Pull tab for easy off Full ring and pinky finger for protection and tactility Adjustable wrist strap for a custom fit Elastic wrist for retention

Mojave Shorty Gloves $49.99 Firstgear Mojave Shorty Gloves Features: Goat skin palm and back Perforated leather for ventilation Palm gel pad reduces vibration Box construction with tapered finger for comfort Fingerless thumb, index and middle finger Pull tab for easy off Full ring and pinky finger for protection and tactility Adjustable wrist strap for a custom fit Elastic wrist for retention

Bling Shorty $10 Bling Shorty

Get Shorty $11.99 Get Shorty

Shorty The Pimp $12.49 Shorty The Pimp

UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Sangria) - Accessories $56.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Sangria) - Accessories: Embrace the winter wonderland wearing the luxurious UGG Kotah Suede Shorty gloves. ; Tonal stitch detailing. ; Small logo-engraved grommet at front. ; Straight pile shearling lining is naturally moisture-wicking and insulating. ; Shell: 100% leather. ; Lining: 100% cashmere. ; Professional leather clean only. ; Imported.

UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Baked Clay) - Accessories $56.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Baked Clay) - Accessories: Embrace the winter wonderland wearing the luxurious UGG Kotah Suede Shorty gloves. ; Tonal stitch detailing. ; Small logo-engraved grommet at front. ; Straight pile shearling lining is naturally moisture-wicking and insulating. ; Shell: 100% leather. ; Lining: 100% cashmere. ; Professional leather clean only. ; Imported.

UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Nopal) - Accessories $56.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Nopal) - Accessories: Embrace the winter wonderland wearing the luxurious UGG Kotah Suede Shorty gloves. ; Tonal stitch detailing. ; Small logo-engraved grommet at front. ; Straight pile shearling lining is naturally moisture-wicking and insulating. ; Shell: 100% leather. ; Lining: 100% cashmere. ; Professional leather clean only. ; Imported.

UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Grey) - Accessories $56.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Grey) - Accessories: Embrace the winter wonderland wearing the luxurious UGG Kotah Suede Shorty gloves. ; Tonal stitch detailing. ; Small logo-engraved grommet at front. ; Straight pile shearling lining is naturally moisture-wicking and insulating. ; Shell: 100% leather. ; Lining: 100% cashmere. ; Professional leather clean only. ; Imported.

UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Chestnut) - Accessories $56.99 6pm.com is proud to offer the UGG - Kotah Suede Shorty (Chestnut) - Accessories: Embrace the winter wonderland wearing the luxurious UGG Kotah Suede Shorty gloves. ; Tonal stitch detailing. ; Small logo-engraved grommet at front. ; Straight pile shearling lining is naturally moisture-wicking and insulating. ; Shell: 100% leather. ; Lining: 100% cashmere. ; Professional leather clean only. ; Imported.

Lil' Shorty $10 Lil' Shorty - Too $hort

GLOVES $35.99 GLOVES

Gloves $10.99 Gloves

Life As A Shorty $10 Life As A Shorty - Fashawn J Mitchell

Tuned-Length Shorty Header $449.99 Tuned-Length Shorty Header; Stainless; 1.75 in. Shorty;

Damn Shorty $10 Damn Shorty - Local ft. Young Fletcher

3-Snap Shorty Visor $5.99 Vega 3-Snap Shorty Visor

Shorty Lookin' Mean $6 Shorty Lookin' Mean - JR

Shorty Make It Work $6 Shorty Make It Work - Savage

Shake Hands With Shorty $8.99 Shake Hands With Shorty

Shorty Goes To Hollywood $8.99 Shorty Goes To Hollywood

You Shorty Me Tarzan $8.99 You Shorty Me Tarzan

Shorty And Georgie Fame $8.99 Shorty And Georgie Fame

Get Shorty - Special Edition $6.99 Get Shorty - Special Edition