1. Why should I buy a wetsuit?

A swimming wetsuit offers three primary benefits:

Thermal protection: Water enters your wetsuit, creating a thin layer between the wetsuit and your skin. This water warms up, creating an insulated barrier.

Energy conservation: Increased buoyancy allows you to conserve energy. This is particularly important to triathletes who need to retain as much as energy as possible for the bike and run legs of their race.

Increased speed: Wetsuits with additional buoyancy improve your body position in the water, making you more streamlined. Neoprene also provides less friction against the water compared to your bare skin. Both factors reduce drag to increase your speed.

2. Which wetsuit is right for me?

When choosing a wetsuit, consider what kind of open water swimming you will be doing, your budget, and whether you will be doing long, medium or short distance swims as well as the intensity of your swimming.

Zoggs wetsuits are designed with different levels of buoyancy and flexibility and various features, catering for all swimming abilities and all types of open water swimming.

Predator wetsuits are designed for triathletes who want high-level buoyancy to create a hydrodynamic position.

Hypex wetsuits are designed for triathletes and open water swimmers who want excellent flexibility and neutral buoyancy.

Explorer wetsuits are designed for open water swimmers who want the perfect combination of elasticity, durability and warmth.

3. How do I put on a wetsuit?

Before putting on your wetsuit:

Avoid wearing swimwear with ties, zips or tassels that could cause discomfort or damage the wetsuit.

Ensure you don’t have long, sharp nails which could cause nicks in the neoprene.

Use the gloves that come with your Zoggs wetsuit to protect it when putting it on.

How to put your wetsuit on:

Fully unzip the wetsuit and hold it with the back facing you and the torso folded over the front.

Point your toes and place your legs one at a time into the wetsuit.

Slide the wetsuit up your legs using the palm of your hands.

Once over your hips, slide your first arm into the wetsuit using your free hand to manoeuvre the suit.

Insert your other arm and adjust the wetsuit to ensure it is positioned at the correct height on your body.

Make sure the neckline is positioned just above your collarbone.

Finally, zip up your wetsuit by pulling the zip cord all the way to the top and folding over the Velcro flap.

Flush your wetsuit. When in the water, pull open the neck and splash a small amount of water into the suit. Push the water around inside the suit to create a warm water thermal benefit.

4. Does my wetsuit fit correctly?

Your wetsuit should feel snug but not constrictive, contour to your lower back, and you should be able to pinch the zip and grab a handful of the wetsuit. If you can't, your wetsuit is too tight.

Conversely, your wetsuit is too large if when squatting you can grab a large amount of neoprene around your midsection. There should be no rolling or bunching of the wetsuit when stood upright and when holding your arm fully elevated, the wetsuit should sit flush against your armpit. The neckline of your wetsuit should sit just above your collarbone.

Remember, a brand new wetsuit requires two to three swims to achieve its intended flexibility.

Before buying your wetsuit, make sure you check our size guide.

5. How do I repair my wetsuit?

Neoprene is a delicate material. If you catch it on a sharp edge, put it on or take it off quickly, you could create small nicks or tears in the material. You can repair these with:

* Neoprene glue

* A cotton bud

* A tissue

First, fold the wetsuit at the cut to make it bigger without enlarging the tear.

Then, apply a thin layer of glue to both sides of the cut and use a cotton bud to spread it evenly.

After waiting one minute for the glue to become tacky, press the cut together and remove any excess glue with a tissue or cotton bud.

Finally, hold the cut closed for a few minutes and let it dry for at least 12 hours before using the wetsuit again.

6. How should I store my wetsuit?

After swimming:

Rinse your wetsuit in cold fresh water, especially if you have been swimming in salt or chlorinated water.

Hang your wetsuit on a thick hanger inside out in a dry space outside of direct sunlight.

7. How do I customise my wetsuit cuff length?

All Zoggs wetsuits feature three bartacks on the wrist and ankle cuffs. These indicate two adjustment options which allow you to cut the cuff without fraying the seams. Do not cut your cuffs outside of these guidelines as it will invalidate the warranty.

8. How do I swim in a wetsuit?

Upon entering the water, flush your wetsuit. Pull open the neck and splash a small amount of water into the suit. Push the water around inside the suit to create a warm water thermal benefit.

Wetsuits with added buoyancy on your lower half will elevate your legs to streamline your body position in the water. In addition to helping with your speed, this will also aid your body rotation, meaning you don’t need to kick as hard or fast. To avoid lower back discomfort, caused by elevated legs, maintain a downward gaze when your face is submerged.

A new wetsuit requires 2-3 swims to achieve its intended flexibility. At first, your new wetsuit may feel a little tight across the chest with a touch of resistance in the shoulders. It may be necessary during first usage to reduce the duration and intensity of your swims.

If you experience chafing, in particular around the neck or under your arms, apply wetsuit lube before your swim to alleviate discomfort.