It fairly straightforward and very simple. So here we go:

1) Choose a brand (it can be any brand, don't get fooled by the fact that “we have the world's fastest wetsuit” - wow I can't even recall how many time I have seen that one)

2) Choose the skin – this is really where the difference leis between a cheaper and more expensive wetsuit. So the cheaper wet-s are going to be thicker and much less pliable, meaning they will stretch less and hence you might loose time in the transition, they may also prohibit proper movement in the water. More expensive suit are the exact opposite. My advice, when you are contemplating a new suit, get the top of the line not the one below, because spending those couple hundred dollars more will give you a great edge ! Oh, one more thing here, since the top wetsuits are thinner they are also easier to puncture, so make sure you know how to put one on before you end up ruining your investment.

3) Women Specific wetsuits - listen girls, few years back there were no W suits. Today there is plenty of them. So go ahead and choose one. What is the difference? Well they are tiny bit wider at the hips (so they save you transition time there) and considerably larger at the chest. At least the brand I am using www.profiledesign.com      My breasts are not very large (size B) but I feel much better wearing woman specific wetsuit then a man's. But that being said, if you are tall and lean, go for a men's wetsuit especially if you can get a great deal on it.

4) Length – mostly they are all standard length. What shall you do when you are shorter? It's easy cut the legs and cut a bit of sleeves. Be careful on the sleeves because some have “stoppers” so that water doesn't come into the suit when you reach forward to begin your stroke. Legs don't have those, so you can cut as much as you wish there.

5) And finally and most importantly THE SIZE – well, this is where it gets little peculiar. I recommend from my own experience to go with the size of your widest measurement. Say you fit size M with your chest, but you fit size L in the hips. Choose a size L. If you are M in the hips and L in the chest go with L as well. And remember to consider the skin (2). Thinner top of the line wetsuit is going to be more pliable so if you are between the sizes you can go with the smaller size.

Tomorrow I will tell you how to put one on and maybe even do a short video. And how to take one off, and also how to run with it and I am sure there is more to it. So if you didn't figure it out yet through the experience come on back over and read on.

Gabi