Junior Wetsuits

Buying a junior wetsuit can be tricky if you aren’t familiar with the materials, the stitching and other facts about the garment. Although these suits profess to keep people warm, how well they do it depends on the product specifications.

Junior Sizes

Manufacturers employ different measuring scales. One junior size chart may look like this.

Size 10 is for 4’8″ – 4’11″ kids who weigh between 75-90 lbs; size 12 is for kids 4’10″ – 5’1″ tall and weigh between 90-105 lbs, while size 14 is for kids who stand 5’1″ – 5’4″ and weigh 105-120 lbs. Size 16 is for kids who stand 5’4″ – 5’7″ and weigh 120-135 lbs.

However other charts will look like this: size XS is for those 3’8″-4’2″ and weigh 40-50 lbs. Other sizes would be S (4’2″-4’6″; 50-60 lbs), M (4’6″-4’10″; 60-75 lbs), L (5’10″-5′; 70-90 lbs) and XL (5′-5’4″; 90-100 lbs). You just have to pick a manufacturer and go with their measuring scale.

Finding the Right Fit

Whichever style you choose, the suit must be a snug fit. If it is too loose, it won’t keep the kid warm. If it’s too tight, movement and breathing will be hard. Use the manufacturer’s size chart to find the appropriate match for the child. Never let an individual wear an ill fitting suit.

Wetsuit Thickness and Materials

Thickness is determined in millimeters and is expressed in the suit as 3/2 mm, 5/3 mm and so on. The first number refers to the torso thickness. The second number indicates how thick it is around the limbs.

The colder the water, the thicker the garment has to be. The water temperature therefore, plays a huge role in determining how thick the suit should be.

Seams and Stitching

Taped seams refer to nylon tape with rubber backing that is set over the seams. Today’s suits only use tape for specific stress points. Blind stitching denotes a seam that is joined together halfway through. This stitching is aimed at keeping cold water from getting into the suit.

This stitch is commonly found in thick suits. However these are not usually found in garments for warm water. These stitches are also expensive.

Flatlock is the most common type for warm water suits. This stitch provides flexibility and durability. Another advantage of this stitch is they are set flat against the skin rather than pushing into it. This reduces the odds of children getting a rash.

Suit Care and Maintenance

If the suit has specific instructions for cleaning the product, follow the directions explicitly. Generally, the suit has to be washed and rinsed after every use.

Make sure all the dirt is removed. When not in use, store the suit in a place away from the sun. If holes appear, fix them with glue designed for these garments. Check what the suit is made of first before applying glue.

Buying junior wetsuits can be made easier by being aware of the various materials available. Knowing how to care for the garments is also crucial to making it last.