Swimwear vs Wetsuit

Any item of clothing you can wear swimming is swimwear. This includes everything all genders wear in water. So all of the following are kinds of swimwear:

• Swimsuits
• Bikinis
• Trunks
• Speedos
• Burkini
• Rashguard
• Wetsuit
• Etc.

When you’re shopping online, you might find this category labeled “Beachwear” or simply “Swim” on the website navigation.

What Are Swimsuits?

A swimsuit usually describes a one-piece swimsuit. Some use “one-piece” as shorthand for a one-piece swimsuit. And in different regions, you might encounter different terms (listed above in the table). They include:

• Swimming Togs
• Swimming Costume
• Bathing Suit
• Bathers
• Cossie

Swimsuits also include more specific design styles, like monokinis, burkinis, and rashguards.

Again, depending on the retailer site you’re on, sometimes these will be broken out as a sub-category, and sometimes items will just be tucked in. It usually depends on how much merchandise and demand the retailer encounters for specific types of designs.

If a swimsuit is the only kind of swimwear you normally wear, you might use ‘swimsuit’ and ‘swimwear’ interchangeably since - for you - they’re one and the same. If you’re looking for some great swimwear options, check out the Knix collection of regular and leakproof swimwear.

While a swimsuit is more than adequate for the amount of swimming most of us enjoy, those who spend prolonged periods of time in open water they may fall short for the following reasons:

• Warmth: Swimsuits are usually made of thin material and may not offer a lot of coverage, so they may allow heat to escape very quickly, especially if the water temperature is low
• Coverage or skin protection: Whether you’re motivated by modesty, sun protection, or sensitive skin (salt and abrasion from surf wax, etc.), swimsuits tend not to offer a lot of coverage or skin protection, especially for legs and arms. Of course, some styles of swimsuits are more modest than others.
• Buoyancy or swimming ability (especially for long-distance or open water swimming): If you’re not a strong swimmer or are swimming long distances (where fatigue becomes a reality), you may prefer a wetsuit as it offers more buoyancy in the water and may increase a feeling of protection.

Today, most swimsuits are manufactured from synthetic blends. Nylon and polyester are the most popular swimwear fabrics, though there are other bathing suit materials too. Knix swimsuits, for example, are made of primarily made of nylon (~85%) and spandex (~15%). You’ll find similar blends in swimwear fabric across most mainstream brands today. 

What Are Wetsuits?

Wetsuits are made of different, thicker materials than swimsuits. While a swimsuit is typically manufactured from a synthetic nylon or polyester blend, most wetsuits are made of neoprene.

It’s worth noting that the thickness of the neoprene varies. Thicker wetsuits are designed for colder water, and those thicknesses are usually explained with a classification system on the labels.

In terms of design, wetsuits offer a lot more coverage than swimsuits. The classic wetsuit covers you from neck to ankle (including sleeves.) However, there are versions of wetsuits that are sleeveless or have shorter legs.

Wetsuits are designed to be worn tight, giving a true second-skin feeling. However, they shouldn’t restrict movement too much and indeed may make you feel more sleek and streamlined in the water. In addition, they offer additional buoyancy and protection, which may help long-distance swimming, especially in open waters.

How Does a Wetsuit Work?

A lot of people assume that wetsuits keep you warm because they are waterproof. This is not the case; water will permeate your wetsuit. However, the thick neoprene material will trap that water next to your skin. And that trapped water will warm up to your body temperature, thereby creating a warm layer of insulation between your skin and the colder water outside your suit.

In order for this to work properly, it’s essential to wear the right size wetsuit. Too loose, and the water will not be trapped next to your skin, so you’ll just constantly recycle cold water between your wetsuit and body. Too tight, and there won’t be enough space for water to become trapped and warmed (not to mention, a too-tight wetsuit will restrict your movement.)

When you’re in water, you lose body heat almost 25x faster than when dry. So, staying warm has obvious (potentially life-saving) benefits, but it also helps slow down muscle fatigue which is important when you’re spending prolonged periods in the water doing activities that require strength and stamina (surfing, diving, open-water swimming.)

Is a Wetsuit Waterproof?

Wetsuits are not designed to be waterproof. Indeed, the job they do warming your body depends on them letting in water.

The idea that wetsuits are waterproof is a common misconception: Many assume that the point of a wetsuit is to keep you dry and, therefore, warm. But as we’ve seen, letting water in (in a controlled manner) is key to a wetsuit doing its job and keeping you warm. The water, warmed to body temperature, provides the all-important insulating layer.

FAQs About Swimming in a Wetsuit

Can You Swim in a Normal Wetsuit?

Yes, you can swim in a normal wetsuit. Though most of us fare just fine in a regular swimsuit, there are reasons you might consider switching to a wetsuit:

• You’re going to be swimming in colder water temperatures (whether that’s because of seasonality or geographic locations)
• You’ll be in the water for prolonged periods of time
• You want protection from chafing, sun and salt damage
• You’re not a strong swimmer and want some extra buoyancy
• You are a strong swimmer, but you’re going to be doing activities where fatigue will be a factor, so you could benefit from increased buoyancy

Certain sports tend to choose wetsuits. Surfing and diving are obvious examples. But triathletes, for example, also tend to wear a triathlon wetsuit for the swim leg of their competition (unless the water temperature is deemed to be too high). Wetsuits can also be worn for lap swimming/indoor swimming, especially when buoyancy and warmth are issues. People doing water rehab in a chlorinated pool may choose a wetsuit for these reasons too.

While you should have a good range of motion in a well-fitting wetsuit, it will probably feel more restrictive than a swimsuit. If the above factors don’t really apply to you, that would be one reason to stick with a swimsuit—it may take time to get used to swimming in a wetsuit. Other reasons to stick with a swimsuit include:

• Cost: There are, of course, expensive swimsuits. But, generally, swimsuits will be cheaper than wetsuits which are designed and built for athletic performance.
• Care: Swimsuits are smaller garments, so easy to rinse out in a sink after you’ve finished your activities. Wetsuits, on the other hand, are bulky, making them cumbersome to care for and store.
• Flexibility: Your swimsuit works as beachwear even when you’re not in the water. Indeed, many will even stretch their swimsuit into daywear after a day poolside or on the beach. A wetsuit? Not so flexible. Once you’re out of the water, that’s it.
• Ease Getting On and Off: This may be obvious, but it’s worth saying. Wetsuits cover you from neck to ankle in tight-fitting neoprene. So, of course, they’re going to take more wriggling to get in and out of. If quick transitions are your thing, a swimsuit might be a better choice.

Is a Wetsuit Better Than a Swimsuit When Swimming in a Cold Water Temperature?

Yes, a wetsuit will do a much better job keeping you warm in cold water temperatures. This is because when you first enter the water, the wetsuit fills with water. Your body heat warms that thin layer of water, which is trapped by the thick neoprene of the wetsuit, and that keeps you warm.

If you’re shopping for a wetsuit, it’s worth observing that they come in different thicknesses and are designed for different purposes. 

If you’re surfing in a tropical climate, for example, you may opt for a thinner construction wetsuit. But if you’re swimming in open waters in a more temperate climate or in winter, you may want thicker materials. Consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for help choosing the right wetsuit. If you’re shopping for a wetsuit for the first time, it might be worth doing it in person so an experienced salesperson can help you judge the right thickness and tightness.

Is a Wetsuit Better for Open Water Swimming?

It will depend on the temperature of the water. You can overheat in a wetsuit even when you're ocean swimming. In colder climates, outdoor swimmers (those doing channel swim, for example) and those competing in water sports often prefer neoprene wetsuits to keep their bodies warm.

But in general, open water or outdoor  swimmers like swimsuits for reasons that go beyond warmth, including:

• Coverage or skin protection: Whether you’re motivated by modesty, sun protection, or sensitive skin (salt and abrasion from surf wax, etc.), swimsuits tend not to offer a lot of coverage or skin protection, especially for legs and arms. Of course, some styles of swimsuits are more modest than others.
• Buoyancy or swimming ability (especially for long-distance or open water swimming): If you’re not a strong swimmer or are swimming long distances (where fatigue becomes a reality), you may prefer a wetsuit as it offers more buoyancy in the water and may increase a feeling of protection.

Will Movement Be Restricted When Swimming in a Wetsuit?

If your wetsuit fits you correctly, it should still allow you a full range of body movements, including those required for swimming.

However, there is no doubt that you will initially feel more restricted in a wetsuit compared to a swimsuit due to the amount of coverage. You might experience this more if you swim breaststroke. So expect to need some time to adjust.

If you’re training for an event of any kind, train in the gear you intend to compete in so that you are used to the garment, and it feels like a perfect second-skin fit. Once they're used to it, many swimmers may find that they can swim faster while wearing a wet suit.

The In-Between Solution: Thermal Swimsuits Retain More Body Heat Than Swimsuits But Are Less Restrictive Than Wetsuits

There are specialty swimsuits that address some of the warmth issues. These are almost like hybrid swimsuits/wetsuits. Like wet suits, they are made of thicker material that will offer more warmth. But in terms of cut, they’re closer to a swimsuit. Still, they tend to offer much more coverage than a regular swimsuit, covering the torso fully to the next, perhaps having sleeves and maybe even short legs. 

Thermal swimsuits then can offer a bit of a “Goldilocks” solution between a regular swimsuit and a full-on wetsuit, especially if you're not swimming in very cold water. They will not impede movement in the way a wetsuit may and will also allow you to stay cool in more variable temperatures where you might feel hot one moment and colder the next.

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.