Springsuits for women in 3/2mm limestone neoprene, built for water around 65 to 75°F. Short sleeves and short legs, so you get warmth on your core without losing the freedom to paddle, pop up or throw a kite.

How to know if you need one

When the water is cold enough that you cut sessions short, or you come out shivering instead of tired. A rash guard gives you sun protection and a little warmth. A wetsuit is for warmth specifically, and it works by trapping a thin layer of water that your body heats up.

What 3/2mm means

Wetsuit thickness is written as two numbers: 3mm around the torso where you lose the most heat, 2mm on the arms and legs where you need to move. Thicker is warmer and stiffer, thinner is freer and colder. For subtropical water and warm-month sessions further north, 3/2 is the balance most people want.

Getting the fit right

Snug, almost hard to put on. A loose wetsuit flushes water through and never warms up. Check the armpits, shoulders and groin for wrinkles or loose fabric, because that is where a bad fit shows first. You should still be able to swing your arms in full circles and squat without fighting it. Neoprene relaxes slightly after a few sessions, so err on the snug side.

Care, which decides how long it lasts

Rinse in cool fresh water after every use, several times if you can. Use a neoprene cleaner now and then. Hang it inside out on a thick hanger, never a wire one, out of direct sun, and let it dry completely before storing. Heat is what destroys neoprene, so keep it out of hot cars.