There has been an upsurge in the number of kids participating in diving and snorkeling in the recent past. This is because besides being fun and enjoyable, these activities have a positive impact on their health. Snorkeling and diving are very demanding activities, and it's important for your child to be properly equipped out in the water. The article below outlines some of the best kids wetsuits for scuba diving, snorkeling, or other water activities so that your child can be warm and comfortable while enjoying all the benefits that the ocean has to offer.
Product Overview
Best Kids Wetsuits for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Best Overall Kids Youth Wetsuit
Features At a Glance
- 3mm neoprene provides extra warmth
- Back zip
- Long sleeve for full body coverage
Pros
- Free movement
- Easy to wear and take off
- Ergonomically designed neckline and armpits
- Versatile and multipurpose
The Details:
Your kid’s protection while in water should be your number one priority, and this swimsuit from the Hevto brand does precisely that. Besides keeping your child warm, the suit will also prevent them from being injured by aquatic organisms in open water. This wetsuit is different from the three predecessors above as it is made of 3mm neoprene and nylon elastic fabric.
These materials make the product soft, comfortable, environmentally friendly, healthy, and skin-friendly. Flat-lock stitching is used in sewing the suit, making it neat and durable. The neoprene fabric used in this wetsuit’s manufacturing makes it ideal for waters with temperatures ranging between 50 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
The product is versatile and multipurpose, making it ideal for diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, surfing, and other water sports. Free movement while in this suit is essential, and that has been taken care of by the ergonomically designed and cut armpits.
The back YKK zipper and its extended leash make it easy to put the suit on and off. This suit's ergonomic neckline shape reduces water entry, making sure that your kid's body remains warm for long.
Best Value Kids Youth Wetsuit
Features At a Glance
- 2mm neoprene is warm, but not overkill on hotter days
- UPF 50+ provides plenty of protection from sun
- Short sleeve for a less constricting feel and better temperature regulation
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to wear and remove
- Maintains warmth
- 50+UV shield
The Details:
This product from the Lemorecn brand is my favorite as it is made of 2mm neoprene material. This material will ensure that the wearer (your kid) stays warm for longer while indulging in aquatic activities. The swimsuit is among the best attires ideal for water sports, such as swimming, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, surfing, and paddleboarding.
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays may have some severe implications on your kid’s skin. Therefore, the manufacturers of this Lemorecn Kids Wetsuit included a 50+ UV shield that protects your child’s delicate skin from direct sun. Additionally, the suit is designed to minimize the cold from the water as the wearer swims, dives, or snorkels.
Sometimes putting on a swimsuit may be a challenge as many of them are manufactured as skin tights. That is different with this product. This swimsuit comes with a zipper at the back, and a zipper pull is attached to it. This makes it easy to put on or take off the suit without any hassles.
Flat-lock seams are used in stitching the suit together, ensuring that the suit is durable. I am sure that your kid will fall in love with this suit and want to spend more time in the water!
Best Short Sleeve Kids Wetsuit
Features At a Glance
- 1.5mm neoprene works great in warmer climates
- Front zip makes getting in and out of wetsuit extremely easy
- Short sleeve for less constriction and better temperature regulation
Pros
- Body warmth retention
- Front zipper for easy donning and doffing
- 2-year warranty
- UVA and UVB rays shield
The Details:
This product is ideal for little children between the ages of 2 and 10, who enjoy swimming in a pool or snorkeling in the sea. Elastane is the fabric used in making the collar, the sleeves and the sides of this elegant product. This fabric acts as a second skin layer, ensuring that your little one is well shielded from the hazardous effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
On the other hand, the front and back parts are made from 2.5mm neoprene, minimizing body heat loss. Neoprene helps in keeping your child warm for long in cold waters or on windy days. The main difference between this swimsuit and its predecessors is that its zipper is located at the front.
The high-quality front YKK zip makes it easy for your young one to open and close the wetsuit without any challenges. Upon purchasing this wetsuit, you will receive a 2-year limited warranty. This implies that if there are any defects with the suit within that time, you can return it and get a perfect one.
Best Quality Kids Wetsuit
Features At a Glance
- 2.5mm neoprene
- UPF 50+
- Long sleeve, full body coverage
Pros
- Extended zip pull
- Enhanced comfort and support
- Flat seams
- Concealed internal key pocket
The Details:
Your kid can now have the best time in the waters with this excellent swimsuit from the Mountain Warehouse brand. The main feature that excites me about this product is its adjustable neck closure. This feature eliminates any chances of the wearer being chocked by the suit while having fun in the water.
The design used in the manufacture of this item is known as Contour Fit. This sculpted style involves having varying thicknesses around the body of the cloth for maximum comfort and support. Lighter material is used in making the sleeves, while the body is made of a thicker fabric.
This ensures that your kid doesn't have a hard time moving in the water while wearing this swimsuit. The zip at the back and the extended zip pull make it easy to wear and take off the suit. This product is ideal even for big kids as both its waist and chest measure 29inches.
The suit is sewed using flat seams that minimize chafing, making it an ideal addition to your kid’s outdoor activity kit. This swimsuit's most iconic feature is the hidden internal key pocket that prevents your keys from getting lost in the water.
Best Wetsuit for Girls
Pros
- Easy to wear and take off
- Wear-resistant
- UV protection
- Elastic for free movements
The Details:
As mentioned in its name, this children’s swimsuit from the LayaTone brand is available for boys and girls. The 2mm high-quality neoprene fabric used in its manufacture helps in retaining body warmth. Additionally, the material is soft and comfortable, ensuring that your kid can maneuver easily in water.
A sports material is used in making the suit's armpits, ensuring that the wearer has the freedom to stretch inside the suit. This product's aesthetics and beauty are promoted by the two-color stitching used in joining the suit together. You will find a strengthened and easy glide YKK zipper at the back of the suit and a lengthened leash that is easy to reach.
The zipper and the leash make it easy for your child to wear and take off the suit without struggling. The product is also super elastic, quick-drying, and comes with a UV shield to protect your child's skin from the sun’s rays. A combination of such features makes this swimsuit ideal for canoeing, snorkeling, surfing, diving, sailing, and other aquatic sports.
Pros
- Neoprene retains the body heat
- Versatile and flexible
- Zipper fasteners for easy putting on and taking off the swimsuit
The Details:
This wetsuit from REALON is comfortable, soft, and keeps the kid warm for long since 90% Neoprene is used in its manufacture. The suit comes with UV protection to ensure that your kid is safe from the harmful sun rays.
Besides blocking the sun's rays, this product also keeps jellyfish, sea lice and other irritants away from the kid's body. At the back of the suit, you will find a 10YKK zipper that glides smoothly and has fasteners that make it remain in place without sliding off. The flat-lock stitching design enhances the wetsuit's durability and makes it flexible for swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and other water sports.
The suit works well with kids between the ages of 2 and 13 years. You are advised to go for a bigger wetsuit if your child is taller and bigger than the rest in his/her age bracket. Do not worry about the smell you get when you open this product for the first time. The smell comes from the glue used in joining the fabric and rubber. Washing the wetsuit in water and placing it in a well-ventilated place will help with clearing the odor.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Full body cover
- Interior protection cover under the zipper for maximum comfort
- Ecofriendly fabric
The Details:
Surfing, kayaking, canoeing, diving, and other water sports have never been this enjoyable and safe for your kid. The IREENUO brand came up with this spectacular wetsuit made of 2.5mm of Neoprene to ensure that young swimmers have the best experience in the water. Besides retaining the body heat, the Neoprene material is also known to protect the child against jellyfish stings, abrasions, and injuries.
The suit is long-sleeved, covering the entire body and protecting the wearer's skin from the dangerous UVA and UVB sunbeams. The zipper runs at the back of the swimsuit. A protective cover is fixed on the inside to prevent the zip from coming into contact with the kid’s skin.
The product is easy to clean as you only require water under 30 degrees Celsius. Avoid machine-washing or twisting the swimsuit as this may interfere with the Neoprene material. Additionally, avoid using bleaches or washing powders with bleaching agents to prevent this item from fading and deterioration.
This wetsuit measures 12.5 x 9.2 x 1.1 inches and weighs about 1 pound, making it ideal for children between 1 and 14 years.
Youth Wetsuit Buying Guide
What to look out for when Buying a Kid's Wetsuit
Children are different in terms of size, weight, height, and preferences. Therefore, as you get your kid a swimsuit, ensure that it does not only favor you but them, too. The primary considerations to make include:
Type of Wetsuit
In today’s market, you will find there are four main types of kids’ wetsuits. These types are:
Full – this is the long-sleeved type that entirely covers the whole body, including the arms and legs. They are the best option for the winter season. However, full wetsuits can also be used in hot temperatures, but that depends on the thickness. Besides maintaining the body heat, full wetsuits prevent the skin from abrasions, UV rays, and other irritants.
Separates – these are wetsuits that are separated at the waistline. Such gives you the freedom to mix different suit tops and bottoms in regard to the sport and the day’s temperature.
Long John – these are sleeveless swimsuits on the arms, but they cover the legs completely. With this type, the upper body can move more freely, but the armpits are exposed.
Shorty/spring suit – these are short-sleeved suits that cover half of the legs and arms.
Wetsuit Thickness
The thickness and material should be the first considerations even before you consider the size. As seen from the above description, most of the kids’ wetsuits are made of Neoprene material. Different brands will use different names for this material.
A swimsuit's thickness is always indicated as two numbers separated with a slash, for instance, 5/8. The first number shows the thickness at the torso area, while the latter shows the rest of the wetsuit's thickness. The thumb rule here is the colder the water, the thicker the wetsuit needed.
Proper Fit
Would you want your kid wearing a buggy or too tight wetsuit? Before buying a this apparel for your kiddo, ensure that it fits perfectly. This can be done only by trying them out on your kid to determine whether the swimsuit will offer maximum protection while giving adequate mobility freedom.
A loose wetsuit will allow water in, hence losing its insulating functionality. As you look for a fitting wetsuit, remember to consider one that allows some room for your kid's growth. This will be a money-saving step.
Quality
Your kid is growing, and soon they may outgrow that little swimsuit you got them. However, this doesn't mean that you should settle for a low-quality product just because it will be used for a short time. Nonetheless, you don't want to spend a ton of money on a wetsuit that will be used for only one to two years.
The seams’ strength is the best way to know the quality of a particular swimsuit. High-quality apparel will have smooth and tightly-fit seams with flat-lock stitching and reinforcement by a cloth or fabric. Bumps, ridges, and exposed stitches are a sign of low-quality swimsuits.
FAQs
Why are wetsuits necessary for my kid?
There are several benefits of having a wetsuit on during water sports, and they include:
- Maintaining warmth while in the water
- Protection against the sun’s UV rays
- Enhance buoyancy
- Protect against abrasions
- Protection against jellyfish stings
When can my kid start wearing a wetsuit?
Immediately you introduce them to water. Considering the many benefits of a wetsuit, it is essential to think of getting one for your baby, regardless of age.
Which material is used in the manufacture of wetsuits?
Almost all the wetsuits are made from Neoprene, although different brands have varying names for this material. It is an artificial rubber material with nitrogen bubbles. When stacked together, these bubbles create strong insulation between the human body and the water.
Should a wetsuit be skin-tight?
Although the swimsuit should not be very tight on your skin, it should not have wrinkles, bagginess, or gaps. It should be well-fitting and feel like a second skin with little or no gathers around the crotch and underarm areas.
Why does my wetsuit get bigger when wet?
The neoprene material used in making the wetsuits stretches when wet. Additionally, it also stretches after being in use for some time. That is why you are advised to choose the snugger wetsuit when you are torn between the sizes.
Do I need to be wet or dry when putting on a wetsuit?
Well, you and your swimsuit should be both dry or wet when putting it on. However, it would be challenging to put on a dry wetsuit onto a wet body or a dumped wetsuit onto a dry body.
What about cheap wetsuits?
You may be tempted to get a cheap wetsuit for your little one just because you know they will outgrow it very soon. However, cheap wetsuits tend to be less comfortable, and it can be hard to put them on your child.
How do I get the right sized wetsuit for my kid?
Children indeed grow up very fast, and getting the right size for them may be challenging. Therefore, you are advised to have your kid try on the swimsuit at the store before taking it to the water. This will help you big-time in choosing the right size for them.
What does a flat-lock seam mean?
Seams are among the critical things to look out for when purchasing a wetsuit for your child. As the name suggests, flat-lock seams are 'flat,' and they do not cause any irritation. On the flip side, over-lock seams found in cheaper wetsuits have some raised sections on the inside, which may minimize the wearer's comfort. Over-lock seams also allow water penetration, which may rub on the skin during movements and cause patches.
How do I take care of my kid’s wetsuit?
For durability and longevity, you are required to keep this product clean always. Wash, clean, and dry the suit after every use. You will find some wetsuit shampoos in the market which are gentler on the neoprene material than the regular detergents. Soaking the wetsuit in freshwater before washing it will help in removing any embedded chemicals and salts.
Final Thoughts
Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, and diving are some of the most enjoyable water sports, especially to the explorative and fun-loving kids. But how do you ensure that your kids are safe in the water? Swimsuits are here to save the day. During the winter season, the water in rivers, lakes, and seas is often very cold.
A swimsuit will ensure that your kid remains warm in such conditions. Additionally, a swimsuit is a perfect guard against abrasions, jellyfish stings, and other irritable aquatic life. Therefore, hurry now to the store and get your kid a swimsuit. But, ensure that you understand the considerations to be made as discussed above.