When the weather is windy or the water is a little on the cool side for Colorado rafting, wetsuits are the perfect solution. Today’s wetsuits take advantage of the most advanced fabric and stitching options to create a suit that can keep you warm, wet, and happy, whether you’re surfing or white water rafting in Colorado. However, with the hundreds of wetsuits available by dozens of manufacturers, choosing the perfect suit for you can get a little overwhelming. We’re going to go over some tips you can use so you know when you’ve found the perfect fit—and if you’re still in any doubt, give us a call at 719.395.2112. Our Colorado white water rafting company has over three decades of experience in whitewater rafting Colorado, and we can help you get in the right suit and out on the water.
First, let’s talk about the options. There are several categories that affect wetsuit fit and performance, but we’re going to focus on three general ones—stitching, closures, and thickness.
Stitching: Overlock stitching is durable but not watertight, and its protruding seam can irritate the skin. Flatlock stitching is also not watertight and is less durable that overlock stitching, but is less likely to irritate the skin since the stich lies flatter. Blindstitching is the least durable of all, but makes up for this with the highest level of comfort and the only waterproof seam (which keeps you warmer).
Closures: There are three main options for wetsuit closures—back zippers, shoulder zippers, and no zippers. While choosing between the three is more of a personal preference than anything else, pay attention to how comfortable you feel with swimming or paddling motions. Zippers create stiffness and inflexibility in the back and shoulders, so if that doesn’t work for you, consider choosing the no-zipper option.
Thickness: This is an important factor, as the thickness of your wetsuit determines how comfortable you will be with lower temperatures of water. If you have a low tolerance for cold, or plan to spend significant time in colder bodies of water, make sure you take that into account by investing in a thicker, warmer wetsuit.
There are several things to watch for that mean a suit is not the right fit for you. If you’re having difficulty moving, speaking, breathing, etc., the suit is obviously too tight—a problem that will only intensify over time as the suit shrinks and hardens with age. If the suit is too loose, it will carry extra water and slow you down, not to mention prevent you from staying warm.
When you’ve found a suit that doesn’t pinch, sag, or make you look like a killer whale, think carefully about how much time you’re going to spend in the suit. If you’re a weekend warrior, choosing a less durable (and therefore, less expensive) suit may make the most sense. If you’re a regular triathlete, don’t go halfway with a lower-quality suit you’ll have to replace sooner rather than later.
And if you’re looking for an excuse to wear your new wetsuit, look no further than our Colorado rafting trips and specials. With land-and water-based adventures ranging from horseback riding to Royal Gorge rafting, you’re bound to find the perfect vacation for you. For more information on Colorado white water rafting, or to check out our family trips and large-group discounts and start planning your Colorado rafting trip, go to www.www.inaraft.com.
