Warmth and visibility
A wetsuit built for open water prioritizes warmth, buoyancy, and bright colors for visibility. A pool training suit is thinner and built around freedom of movement instead.
Choosing a suit shape
A full suit with long sleeves and legs is the standard pick for cold water or longer sessions. A sleeveless top or long john restricts shoulder rotation less, which suits triathlon or a warm-up where stroke mechanics matter more.
Wetsuit sizing starts with height and weight
Height and weight narrow down the range first. Waist and chest measurements settle it if you’re between sizes. Sizing varies a lot between brands, so check that brand’s own chart.
A suit built for both pool and open water
We don’t carry insulating wetsuits, but Orca’s Core line is built for exactly this crossover. Five of its six pieces — the jammer, brief, square leg, bikini, and thin-strap one-piece — use a compression nylon-elastane build rather than a chlorine-resistant polyester weave, because they’re designed to hold up in open water and on the pool deck rather than survive daily chlorine exposure alone. Only Orca’s original Core One Piece runs on a PBT-blend fabric built specifically for repeat pool laps.
Relevant suits
| Suit | At a glance | Sizes | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nike Nike Mens 5" Volley Swim Short - Treeline | Chlorine-resistantjammerbrief | S | $32 $19 £14.41 40% off | Allens Swimwear→ |
 Funkita (AU) Funkita Girls Bed Of Roses Strapped In One Piece Swimsuit - Multi | Chlorine-resistantone piececross back | 8 years,10 years,12 years,14 years | $39 £28.95 | Allens Swimwear→ |
 TYR TYR Womens Arterix Cutoutfit Swimsuit - Green | Chlorine-resistant | 30,32,34,36 | $62 £46.59 | Allens Swimwear→ |
 Funky Trunks Funky Trunks Mens Still Ocean Classic Brief - Navy | Chlorine-resistantbrief | 30,32,34,36 | $25 £18.95 | Allens Swimwear→ |
SP Speedo Speedo Women’s Solid Thin Strap Racerback One Piece Swimsuit | Chlorine-resistantracerbackone piece | 2XS,XS,S,M,L,XL,2XL | $51 | Amazon→ |
Prices and exchange rate as of Oct 27, 2026 (£1 = $1.3347). Allens prices are charged in pounds; the dollar figure is a conversion. Check the retailer for the current price.
Find your size
FAQ
Can I just wear a pool training suit in open water?
For a short swim in warm water, yes. Cold exposure and visibility are why a wetsuit gets recommended for longer or colder swims.
Do men’s and women’s wetsuits use the same sizing?
No. Women’s cuts are built with more room through the hips and chest.