Kids Wetsuits

Some children are born to be surfers and scuba divers. For them, kids' wetsuits are like second skins. Other children love to swim, or play in the lake outside a vacation cottage every summer holiday. Wearing a kids' wetsuit can help them enjoy the water better, longer, and most importantly for parents, safer. Here are some tips on buying and sizing kids' wetsuits.

Kids wetsuit buying tips
Children are always growing, and though buying a new and bigger t-shirt is never a problem, sizing more costly clothing items such as kids' wetsuits poses a unique challenge. Fortunately, most kids' wetsuits are designed with growth in mind.

There are two things parents can look for when buying a kid's wetsuit. The first is that its design incorporates Velcro and adjustable straps. An adjustable kid's wetsuit should last even the most rapidly growing child for a few years.

Less common but worth asking about is whether the kids' wetsuit vendor you're buying from has any sort of trade-in policy. Some children's wetsuit companies will provide a discount on a new wetsuit if you trade in your old one.

Kids wetsuit sizing tips
Most kids' wetsuit manufacturers have their own unique sizing chart. That chart may be number-based (1, 2, 3) or letter-based (S, M, L). Knowing your child's basic measurements should be enough to help you navigate through the different wetsuit sizing systems.

The first and foremost measurement is torso length. A kid's torso length is measured from the base of the neck to the lowest point between the legs, i.e. from nape bottom to crotch bottom. Record this number in full and quarter inches.

Chest inches should be measured by placing a tape directly beneath the armpit. The additional numbers you'll need when purchasing kids' wetsuits are waist size in inches, weight, and height.