I'm thrilled my kid loves the water, but she grows so fast that I'm afraid a wetsuit that fits in May will be outgrown by August. I've learned, however, that my child is not unique in this, and most surf shops have a rack of used, recently outgrown wetsuits.
Sure, neoprene breaks down over time. Repeatedly wearing the same suit in the sun every day, without washing it or giving it any care, can kill a suit in one season. Most kids won't even come close and there are lots of suits that no longer fit available. If you wait until right after the weather changes and people start heading to the beach, you'll generally find plenty of used, kid-sized wetsuits at your local surf shop.
Follow these quick tips, and you'll do fine:
- How soft and flexible is the neoprene? Just giving the suit a small tug, or stretch, will tell you a lot. Neoprene gets stiff as it gets old, and it loses its warming properties as that happens. It'll also start to crack and tear, as it gets to the end of its service able life. If its soft and flexible, you're good. Stiff means stiff like cardboard and you think you can crack the neoprene when you fold it!
- Check the seams! If the seams are looking fresh, and not pulling apart or separating, you are likely in good shape!
- Are there any holes or patches? Holes typically aren't a big deal, unless the patches are all that is holding the suit together. The stomach of my surfing wetsuit is ripped and gouged and glued up, the suit itself has a few more seasons left in it. Heck, sometimes unfixed holes will really lower the price on a used wetsuit. Patch kits are cheap.
You want a wetsuit that fits snuggly, but allows the child to move their limbs enough for whatever the chosen activity is. Rolling up the sleeves, or legs, is fine, but baggy spots and room for water to flow through will chill your child.
I just spent $50 on a full, backzip 3mm/2mm suit for my kid. I'd say it is half to one season old, and I'm sure we'll be handing this one down, or trading it in, after this summer. Compare that to $90-120 for a new item, and realize I'll probably get $20-30 credit when I bring it back to swap.
I can't get my daughter out of the water, thats how it should be.
