Wetsuits Archives - Cape Boating

Do kids need wetsuits? They definitely do for practical and psychological reasons. The best wetsuits for kids make swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, paddleboarding, and even bodyboarding more enjoyable because they provide warmth. Kids have less body fat than adults to keep them warm. Wetsuits also provide buoyancy, which gives a kid more courage. However, the choice of a wetsuit for kids is huge on the market, and not every parent knows what to look for. In our top seven selections, we have considered all the important features a kid’s wetsuit needs to have. Top Pick Move 2 Change 3 MM Kids Wetsuit is our top pick. This full-length kids’ wetsuit is made of 3 mm thick neoprene that provides superior stretch, thermal protection, and durability. This is a unisex design that’s ideal for swimming, surfing, and playing. Here are Our Best Wetsuits for Kids Reviews Move 2 Change 3 MM Kids Wetsuit View on Amazon You will love how well this wetsuit will fit your toddler. He or she will be able to swim, surf, and scuba dive with ease. Key Features Stretch neoprene 3 mm thickness Back zipper design Strong Velcro closure Superior sun protection The wetsuit comes in a stylish palm tree design, which is a good choice for both girls and boys. It is available in 2T size for toddlers who are two to three years old and 4T size for kids who are four to five years old. It is made of 3 mm thick CR neoprene, which is great because it is water-resistant, stretchy, and highly flexible. It offers optimal warmth and coziness all year round. Another good thing about neoprene is superior sun protection. The suit comes with an ergonomic back zipper closure that glides smoothly for easy operation when donning and doffing. It comes equipped with a strong Velcro that prevents the zip from sliding down when your kid dives into the water. Pros The flexible design provides a hugging fit for warmth and comfort Tight seals around the ankles and wrists keep kids warm The neoprene offers good UV and sunburn protection The back zipper opens up to the lower back for easy entry and exit The design is stylish and unisex Cons It is not a great option for chlorinated water Verdict Available in 2T and 4T sizes, the Move 2 Change is an excellent buy for both toddlers and kids. It offers reliable protection, warmth, flexibility, and comfort. Overall Rating: 5.0 GoldFin 2 MM Kids WetSuit View on Amazon This amazing kids’ wetsuit from GoldFin is durable, breathable, and comfortable for diving, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and water aerobics. Key Features Neoprene, nylon 2 mm thickness Front zipper design Four-way stretch fabric Exquisite flatlock sewing The suit is made of ninety percent neoprene and ten percent nylon with a thickness of two millimeters. It is a great choice for late spring and summer. The short-sleeve arms and shorty design give kids the freedom they need. The neoprene is stretchy, providing remarkable flexibility, sportiness, and comfort. It features heavy-duty flatlock stitching, which is great because it makes the suit highly flexible as well as durable. Flatlock stitching also provides watertight seams. The front YKK zipper is non-corrosive and easy to use. The suit is available in five sizes (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) and four color options (black with blue sleeves, blue shark, pink mermaid, and pink) for preference. Pros The neoprene is stretchy and comfortable The short-sleeve design allows for more freedom The four-way stretch fabric adds flexibility The YKK zipper is non-corrosive and easy to use It is available in attractive colors Cons Some models may no fit true to size Verdict This is a great wetsuit that comes with the most important features kids need during spring and summer water sports activities. Overall Rating: 4.7 Scubadonkey 2.5 MM Neoprene Kids Wetsuit View on Amazon This great kids wetsuit from Scubadonkey is warmth preserving and the perfect choice for surfing, paddleboarding, canoeing, and swimming. Key Features Stretch neoprene 2.5 mm thickness Back zipper design Unisex design Numerous sizes available This high-quality suit is made of 2.5 mm thick neoprene, which is great because it provides the ideal warmth and stretch performance for kids. The suit helps protect kids from harmful UV, jellyfish, abrasions, and cuts. It comes with a creatively designed collar that hugs a child's neck to form a reliable seal that slows down the water from getting into the suit. The ankle and wrist cuffs are fitted with rolled neoprene to prevent the water from getting into the suit. The wetsuit comes equipped with an ergonomic zipper that is non-corrosive and long-lasting. There is a long pull tab attached to the zipper for easy donning and doffing. Pros The neoprene provides superior stretch and warmth The pull tab on the zipper makes donning and doffing easy It offers protection against UV, marine life, and abrasion The design is unisex and ideal for boys and girls Several sizes and colors are available Cons The lumbar seams may end up shredding Some models may come with a poor quality zipper Verdict This Great kids wetsuit from Scubadonkey is a good buy. But make sure you don’t get a model with design issues, such as a bad zipper. Overall Rating: 4.6 Skyone Girls Boys Toddler Wetsuit View on Amazon This amazing wetsuit comes in bright colors that are attractive to both boys and girls. It offers incredible protection too. Key Features 2.5 mm neoprene Back zipper with a pull tab High stretch and flexibility Small size map Numerous sizes and colors available The Skyone comes in blue, girl green, girl pink, grey, orange, pink, purple, and yellow. It is a cute wetsuit that kids can use for surfing, scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, and even hanging out on the beach. You’ve got five sizes to choose from for your toddler, including small, large, medium, extra-large, and extra-extra-large. It is made of premium quality 2.5 mm neoprene, which gives your kid a comfortable and flexible fit. There is a sharkskin panel in the chest that increases buoyancy for enjoyable diving and swimming experience. The suit, however, may feel tight out of the water when it is dry. The long sleeve full-body design provides exceptional sun protection to avoid nasty sunburns. Toddlers also get protection from jellyfish stings and abrasion injuries. The back zipper is fitted with a pull tab for quick and easy donning and doffing. Pros Many cute colors for boys and girls The neoprene is soft and comfortable on the skin It has superior UV and sunburn protection It is easy to get in and out of the suit It is a good option for kids with a slightly large body Cons Some sizes tend to run big Look out for models with poorly designed zipper Verdict It usually fits as expected with a few exceptions. But it is cute and sporty for both boys and girls—the perfect choice for surface water sports. Overall Rating: 4.6 Lemorecn 3 MM Kids Wetsuit View on Amazon This high-quality kids’ wetsuit from Lemorecn is innovatively designed for warmth and comfort. It comes in multiple sizes and color options. Key Features Anatomically cut pattern Stretch neoprene 3/2 mm thickness Back zipper design Smooth skin fluid foam neck The first and impressive feature of this wetsuit is the anatomically cut pattern that follows the contours of a kid’s body to help prevent cold spots and enhance coziness. The core of the suit is made of 3 mm thick neoprene for superior thermal protection, while the shoulders, arms, and legs are made of 2 mm thick neoprene for added stretch and flexibility. The fabric is incredibly UV-resistant and tough enough to resist abrasion. Flatlock stitching on the suit improves the strength and durability of the seams. The smooth skin fluid foam neck forms a tight seal with the skin to help prevent flushing when a kid dives into the water. Another good addition to the wetsuit is the heavy-duty YKK back zipper. It is fully adjustable and super easy to use. It comes equipped with a pull tab for quick and easy put on and out. Pros The anatomically cut pattern offers a glove-like fit Smooth skin on the neck helps prevent flushing The YKK zipper is fully adjustable for ease of use Knee pads help reduce wear and tear Provide superior protection against UV rays and the elements Cons Some of the sizes tend to run small for some kids Verdict This is a great kids’ wetsuit for the money. It offers exceptional thickness for warmth, wind protection, flexibility, and durability. Overall Rating: 4.6 Mountain Warehouse Junior Shorty Wetsuit View on Amazon This premium quality junior shorty wetsuit from Mountain Warehouse is packed with great features for kids who love surface water sports. Key Features Stretch neoprene Flatlock seams Contour fit Adjustable neck closure Easy-glide zip This wetsuit is made of high-quality 2.5 mm neoprene, which is great because it is very effective at retaining body heat and dries incredibly fast. It has a sculpted style that offers a contoured fit for ultimate comfort and support. The flatlock stitching provides heavy-duty seams that are highly anti-chafing. What this means is that your kid will stay comfortable for longer. It comes equipped with an easy-glide zip equipped with an extended zip pull for easy donning and doffing. With the adjustable neck closure, it is easy to customize the fit for your kid. The neck also features smooth skin for preventing flushing. Pros The sculpted style provides a contoured fit The zipper glides smoothly for easy opening and closing The flatlock stitching is anti-chafing Adjustable neck closure provides a customized fit Provide great UV protection Cons It may not be a great choice for slimmer kids Verdict This is an ideal choice for young surface water sports lovers. Parents are spoilt for choice when it comes to color options. Overall Rating: 4.6 Seavenger Scout 3 MM Neoprene Kids Wetsuit View on Amazon This is a great kids’ wetsuit for both boys and girls. It is suitable for surfing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, and swimming. Key Features Stretch neoprene 3 mm thickness Flatlock stitching Snug and safe Back zipper with a pull tab The Seavenger Scout is made of a three-millimeter neoprene, which is great because it provides warmth, stretch, durable performance. The Scout fits snugly and comfortably in temperate waters. It allows kids to play in the waves and seashores while keeping warm. The suit has been redesigned to meet the sizing requirements of kids. From tiny kids to juniors, the Scout from Seavenger comes in a wide variety of sizes with a precision-engineered design. It is built to meet the needs of super-active kids. The knees are reinforced with rubberized padding to enhance strength and durability. Whether your kid is learning to swim or stand on a surfboard, you’ve got heavy-duty flatlock stitching that prevents chafing, irritation, rubbing, and flushing. Pros The redesigned sizing fits kids of different sizes It is stretchy, flexible, warm, and cozy The knee pads are reinforced for strength and durability The flatlock stitching prevents chafing, irritation, and rubbing The ankle zippers minimize flushing Cons Some sizes are smaller than advertised Verdict This well-built wetsuit is a good option for ultra-active kids who like all kinds of surface water sports. Overall Rating: 4.5 Things to Look for in Kids’ Wetsuits Choosing the ideal wetsuit for kids doesn’t have to be a difficult proposition. Here are key important features that can help parents with the search. Kids Wetsuit Sizing This is one of the most important considerations when looking for kids’ wetsuits. You have to choose a suit that fits snugly and comfortably. The crotch area must fit perfectly for a kid to be comfortable when wearing and using the suit. Every brand provides a sizing guide or chart on the product page, but here are our recommendations. Size 4 This is the ideal size for toddlers who are 46 to 49 inches tall and weighing 40 to 50 pounds. Size 6 We recommend this size for kids who are 50 to 53 inches tall and weighing between 45 to 55 pounds. Size 8 This is a great size for kids who are 54 to 57 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Size 10 We recommend this size for kids who are 57 to 60 inches tall and weigh 65 to 85 pounds. Size 12 This is a suitable size for kids who are 60 to 63 high and weigh between 80 and 105 pounds. Size 14 We recommend this kids’ wetsuit size for children who are 63 to 66 inches tall and weigh between 100 and 115 pounds. Wetsuit Thickness and Seam Construction Wetsuits for kids are normally 2 to 3 millimeters thick. Models with a thickness of 2 millimeters are ideal for warmer waters, while models with a thickness of 3 millimeters are ideal for cooler waters. When it comes to flexibility and durability, you have to choose a wetsuit with the most reliable seam construction. There are two popular types of stitching you can choose, flatlock and glued and blind stitched (GBS). Between the two, the latter is the better seam construction. Final Thoughts For this roundup, the winner is Move 2 Change 3 MM Kids Wetsuit. This model has all the features needed in a kids’ wetsuit. It is a full-length design that will keep your child warm and comfortable while swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. The suit is available in two sizes, 2T for toddlers and 4T for kids. It comes with heavy-duty stitching that’s flexible and highly durable. The back zipper closure is highly ergonomic for easy and quick donning and doffing.