With the UK now firmly in Winter’s icy clutches, it can be tempting to just stay indoors and keep yourself warm until the Spring comes around. However, if you love the outdoor lifestyle and have a passion for watersports, then the winter climate need not throw a spanner in the works. Buying a winter wetsuit enables people to enjoy surfing all year round and to stay in the water for extended periods.

Does a Thicker Wetsuit mean Better Warmth?

A higher neoprene material thickness is the key benefit of the winter wetsuit in comparison to the summer suit, as it provides better warmth, protection and insulation. Hypothermia is an ever-present danger in winter, as cold water makes you lose your body heat very quickly. A wetsuit ensures you stay insulated from the cold as a thin layer of water comes between your body and the wetsuit, the body heats it naturally, providing a warm insulating layer.

As with most things, the quality of neoprene you get is likely to reflect the price you are willing to pay. You can find suits for under £100 with basic neoprene and a few stretch panels, but the top-end suits, consisting entirely of highly flexible neoprene, are going to cost you considerably more.

Here are some of the features to look out for when shopping for your winter wetsuit:

The best winter wetsuits have a neoprene combination of 5 (for Torso) and 4mm (around your limbs to allow you more flexibility to paddle and swim) or 5 and 4 and 3mm.

Wetsuit Seams and Zips

Glued & blindstitched seams offer maximum stretch and strength with zero water penetration. The stitching appears on the front and glued on the reverse to form a watertight seal.

On the top-end thickest winter wetsuits, heat welded tape can be applied over the blindstitched seams on the inside to strengthen and waterproof the wetsuit.

Zip system and adjustable neck collar provides maximum water seal and surfer comfort. Look out for smooth surfaces around the neck lining to prevent skin becoming irritated. Some people wear rash vests, however, the downside of these vests is that they don’t offer any heat retention.

Fit = Warmth

Your best bet is to go for a tight or snug fit with plenty of stretch. A full style wetsuit is perfect for winter with long legs and long arms to cover all parts of your body except for your head, neck, hands and feet.

Final things you might want to think about when buying a winter wetsuit are knee padding to protect the knees, and an external secure key pocket for easy and secure access to your key.

Here’s our top ten winter wetsuits for 2011…

1. Rip Curl H Bomb 4/3 Heated Wetsuit 2011

The world’s first power heated wetsuit, the H Bomb has fibre elements which generate heat to relieve muscle soreness and give you maximum body warmth.

Price: £550.00

2. Xcel Infiniti Drylock 5/4 Winter Wetsuit 2011

The Xcel Drylock utlises Water Resistant Fibre technology which mechanically sheds water, ensuring the suit stays light and you stay very very warm.

Price: £339.95

3. Rip Curl Dawn Patrol 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2011

A great wetsuit for a great price, the Dawn Patrol for 2011 boasts all the key technical features you need that without requiring you to blow your budget.

Price: £129.99

4. Quiksilver Syncro 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2011

Another great value winter wetsuit, the Quiksilver Syncro is the most high performance entry level wetsuit currently on the market.

Price: £139.95

5. C-Skins Wired AIRLOC 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2011

C-Skins have a reputation for innovation and this suit is no exception. Without question one of the warmest and most flexible wetsuits available.

Price: £309.95

6. O´Neill PsychoFreak 5.5/4.5mm Hooded Winter Wetsuit 2011

This award-winning winter wetsuit utilises the latest in neprene technology to offer unbeatable warmth in even the harshest, coldest conditions.

Price: £344.95

7. Rip Curl Chest Zip F Bomb 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2011

Rip Curl have put together a great package with F Bomb, offering ultimate warmth, flexibility, durability and comfort to create a very strong overall product.

Price: £299.95

8. O´ Neill Heat 6/5/4 Mens Hooded Winter Wetsuit 2011

The 2011 hooded Heat winter wetsuit combines the fantastic value and technology of the Heat wetsuit and pushes it to the next level, offering serious warmth and flexibility

Price: £239.95

9. Animal Assassin 5/3 Chest Zip Mens Winter Wetsuit 2011

The Animal Assassin rivals the very best in the market, as it utilises high tech neoprene materials and the latest construction methods.

Price: £249.00

10. Billabong SG5 5/3 Back Zip Winter Wetsuit 2011

The Billabong Solution Gold incorporates the Solar Mesh solar panel designed to absorb and transfer the suns heat to the body, meaning it is 30% warmer than any nylon covered neoprene.

Price: £249.94

All these winter wetsuits are available at the Wetsuit Centre, with free next day UK delivery.  You an find more information and reviews of winter wetsuits on the Wetsuit Centre Youtube channel.

See Jeff introduce the new  C Skins React Winter Wetsuit Range, the latest winter wetsuit video review:

O'Neill Psycho 2 Winter Wetsuit Close Up

Winter surfing can be extremely exhilirating. Get the perfect combination of wind, waves and tide and if you have a good quality Winter Wetsuit then the cold doesn’t really matter.

However, it is easy to be complacement and the fact that water is 25 times more heat conducting than air you quickly lose body heat and hypothermia can set in before you even know it.

Ok, so the snow has gone for the time being, but with UK coastal temperatures hovering around 7 degrees Celsius it is worth investing in a wetsuit that is going to give you that ultimate warmth and protection from the elements so you can get on and enjoy your surfing.

The new O’Neill Psycho 2 wetsuit will definitely give you that extra warmth for your winter surf sessions, if you are one of those surfers that perhaps feels the cold more than your surf buddies.

O’Neill have taken the extremely popular Psycho 1 wetsuit and added in a stitchless Double Fluid Weld and UltraFlex Firewall technology and produced a wetsuit that is one of the warmest, lightest and most flexible suits on the planet.

O’Neill Psycho 2 Specification

O'Neill Psycho 2 Winter Wetsuit 2010

Additional features to keep you performing at the top of your game include:

Double Fluid Seam Weld (stitch less) technology creates the wetsuit that is 100% sealed. O’ Neill also seal the reverse side of the seam giving you the ultimate in coldwater proof protection.

• Patented Z.E.N. Zip Closure System with Pullover, pullover internal neck seal blocks out water for maximum performance in cold to frigid conditions.
• Barrier 2 / Double Superseal Neck / Drainhole with a below-the-neck zipper, the no-flush Barrier and The Drainhole to move water out, and making it easier to get in and out of the wetsuit.
• Plasma Wrist and Ankle Seals at the wrists and/or ankles to prevent over expansion and seal out water.
• Double Super Seal Neck to prevent water flushes
• Handcuff Wrist Seal
• External Key Pocket with Loop is easy to access and completely secure
• 2x Fluid Seam Weld

The O’Neill Psycho 2 Winter Wetsuit really is loaded with high performance features which means you retain more body heat whilst being able to surf without any restrictions. Get the fit right with this wetsuit and you have the ultimate Winter Wetsuit.

O’Neill Psycho 2 Video Review

Check out the full specification and buy the new O´Neill Psycho 2 5/3 Mens Winter Wetsuit 2010 online.

Many of you will already be aware of the C-Skins Wetsuit brand and the impact it has had on the world of Wetsuits.

Carey Brown and his uncle Dennis Cross designed and manufactured the first ever surfing steamers in Europe taking on the likes of O’Neill Wetsuits and Rip Curl Wetsuits. Over the past two or three years Carey’s extensive experience of the wetsuit industry has stood him in good stead and the brand has gone from strength to strength – particularly in the Winter Wetsuit market.

Based in Northern Europe, the C-Skins team are used to testing in the harshest of conditions of France and Cornwall. If you have had a chance to try on one of the C-Skins Wetsuits you will immediately see why they have such a strong following in the UK and Europe with their no-compromise attitude to quality, workmanship and value for money. The C-SKINS team are obviously passionate about surfing and this comes across in the way their suits are manufactured.

Check out C-Skins Wetsuit Video Reviews below ans see for yourself the quality of the latest 2010 C-Skins Wetsuits.

C-Skins Wired 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2010

C-Skins Wired Winter Wetsuit 2010

The now famous C-Skins Wired is back for Winter 2010 even better. Designed by Brits for UK conditions the Wired has some amazing features:

• LQS Liquid seam technology – No flush
• 100% use of Ultra stretch C-FLEX neoprene – lightweight / low water retention
• Glued & Blindstitched construction
• Airloc Chest panel for warmth & lighter weight
• Fire Core Thermal interior chest & back panel
• Hydrophobic Poly Pro interior chest panel: draws water away from body
• Optiwick interior light weight water wicking poly pro lining
• LQS ankle cuff seals – for a secure seal
• Lock Down Wrist seal with internal silicone seal
• DFZ – Diagonal front zip with adjustable bungee attachment
• Pre bent elbows and knee areas
• Stealth Dura tex knee pad panel with embossed resin impregnated
• Minimal panels for increased stretch & movement
• Hidden key pocket on exterior of suit
• Closeout system – front zip seal & barrier
• Super seal glideskin single seam collar

Without doubt the most popular wetsuit in the range, the new Wired Series includes mind blowing new features such as the new Optiwick interior lining and the Lock Down wrist seals

Buy C-Skins Wired 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2010 £254.95

C-Skins Wired AIRLOC 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2010

C-Skins Wired Airloc Winter Wetsuit 2010

The all new C-Skins Wired Airloc Winter Steamer from C-SKINS is a tricked up version of the Wired Series 2 Steamer. If you are looking for the ultimate Winter Wetsuit then wetties don’t come much better than this one.

We have no doubt that this suit will be a real contender for the top spot this winter.

Made with the amazing Airloc neoprene throughout the whole body and legs you get ultimate performance from a wetsuit that is lighter and warmer than comparable suits.

With the added feature of liquid taped seams inside AND outside ( 2 x LQS) this suit is without doubt one of the warmest, driest and stretchiest suits on the planet.

C-Skins Wired AIRLOC 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2010 Features

• LQS Liquid seam technology – No flush
• 100% use of Ultra stretch C-FLEX neoprene
• Glued & Blindstitched construction
• Simulated Mesh Skin(SMS) chest & back panels
• Airloc Chest panel for warmth & lighter weight
• Fire Core Thermal interior chest & back panel
• Optiwick interior light weight water wicking poly pro lining
• LQS ankle cuff seals – for a secure seal
• Lock Down Wrist seal with internal silicone seal
• DFZ – Diagonal front zip with adjustable bungee attachment
• Pre bent elbows and knee areas
• Stealth Dura tex knee pad panel with embossed resin impregnated
• Minimal panels for increased stretch & movement
• Hidden key pocket on exterior of suit
• Closeout system – front zip seal & barrier
• Super seal glideskin single seam collar

Buy C-Skins Wired AIRLOC 5/3 Winter Wetsuit 2010 – £309.00

Caring for Your C-Skins Wetsuit

Don’t forget to take care of your C-Skins Wetsuit by following these simple instructions

• Rinse your suit with fresh water and hang it out to drip dry after every use on a wide hanger
• Do not use a washing machine or tumble dryer
• Do not use bleach
• Do not hang your suit in direct sunlight for long periods of time
• Do not leave your wetsuit in a damp, stinking mess in the back of your car

Christmas has come early for us chaps at The Wetsuit Centre as Sean managed to acquire (please don’t ask!!) a brand new HD Flip TV Video camera this week.

Sean and Jeff have been hard at work putting together a series of Winter Wetsuit Video Reviews from all of the major wetsuit manufacturers. If you have managed to catch a couple of the videos you will notice that Jeff even gets in most of the suits to show you how good the fit is. He managed to lose nearly four pounds after the first session and almost collapsed with dehydration !! – the lengths people will go to eh!

An example of the latest Winter Wetsuit Reviews:-

We have already had some great feedback from customers on how informative they are – and judging by the views on YouTube they are going down a storm.

So if you are inline for a new Winter Wetsuit and still not sure whether to go for the Rip Curl E-Bomb 2010 or the latest O’Neill PsychoFreak check out the video reviews over on The Wetsuit Centre YouTube Channel and get a bit more upfront information.

Don’t forget we have great deals on Mens Winter Wetsuits and Ladies Winter Wetsuits, plus you can now follow The Wetsuit Centre on Twitter.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers has named the O’Neill Psycho Freak the winner of the Image Award for the Wetsuit of the Year.

The SIMA Image Awards identify the surf industry’s most influential companies and recognizes them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry.

Chosen by fellow surf industry companies and retailers, the SIMA Image Awards are a reflection of how brands and their products are viewed within the industry, but more importantly by those selling the product to the customer.

It is no surprise then that a wetsuit like the revolutionary ONeill Psycho Freak (with its XDS-Air neoprene) has come out as one of the suits that has pushed the boundaries of surfing just that little bit further.

Unlike traditional cold water wetsuits that utilize thicker neoprene, the Psychofreak with O’Neill’s unique XDS-Air neoprene, a complex 3D structure of rubber and trapped air components, provides increased insulation similar to a double paned window without additional thickness or restriction.

The latest models are firm favourites with our customers at The Wetsuit Centre – the ONeill Psycho Freak 3.5mm 2010 and O’Neill PsychoFreak 4.5mm Winter Wetsuit 2010 have all been flying out the doors as the days have started to get a little colder.

We haven’t had a really cold spell yet down here on the South Coast – but we expect the O’Neill PsychoFreak 5.5/4.5mm Hooded Winter Wetsuit2010 to be a firm favourite.

All three of the suits feature :-

• Krypto Knee Padz
• XDS Air FIREWALL
• XDS Air Neoprene lined with O ´ Neill´s water-wicking insulative jersey.
• Z.E.N. Zip Entry with contortionist seamless shoulder (U.S. Patent #5,898,934)
• 2x Fluid Seam Weld
• 2x Super Seal Neck

O’Neill’s new XDS-Air Firewall is more insulating and water wicking than ever and for 2010 O’Neill have put this state-of-the-art insulating neoprene in the chest, back and in the lower core panels.

The O’Neill Psychofreak Winter Wetsuits takes you beyond warm, beyond flexible and beyond your imagination.

The producers of the Channel Five hit TV Series, The Gadget Show approached us a little while back in order to help out with a little wetsuit test they were about to embark on – and we were only too happy to help.

The “hands-on” test was going to pitch the very latest in wetsuit technology against each other. In the blue corner was Billabong’s brand new solar-heated wetsuit – the Billabong SG5, and in the red corner the favourite – the Rip Curl H-Bomb (supplied by the Wetsuit Centre).

Once the Presenters, Gail Porter and Jason Bradbury got all togged up it was time to take on the wetsuit cold water challenge, a series of cold water tests designed to see who would stay warm the longest.

The face-off started with a ice-box challenge, with Gail wearing the Rip Curl SG5 and Jason in the H-Bomb sitting in an ice-box for a full 5 minutes. Then it was a mad dash to pick up a couple of lilos and head off down the rapids at the Nene Whitewater Centre. With thermal imaging cameras runnin alongside the intrepid twosome, it was easy to see which wetsuit was holding the heat.

You can check out the video for yourself – but just so you know ….. our Rip Curl H-Bomb romped home a worthy winner. (Ok it is three times the price of the Billabong SG5 – but it looks like the bar has been set for other winter wetsuits manufacturers to catch up).

Watch the Gadget Show Wetsuit Challenge

Impressed by the reviews?? Buy the Rip Curl H-Bomb online or give the Wetsuit Centre a call on 01202 302943 to give one a try.