WETSUITS
A super flexible suit for breaststroke swimmers, a thermal suit for the coldest of temperatures and the first colourful open water swimming wetsuit: read on for our guide to the latest wetsuits
“It is truly a beautiful suit, and we loved the illustrations on the calves, sleeves and collar, featuring coral, shells and natural marine forms.”
I’ll admit, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the launch of The Dart wetsuit. While most open water wetsuits are muted blacks and greys, Wilda has created a suit that embraces the joy, vibrancy and individuality of open water swimming without compromising on function, buoyancy and warmth. It’s made with Yamamoto limestone neoprene, a material known for its exceptional flexibility and durability, and better carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based neoprene.
The neoprene is soft and supple and feels fantastic on. Once in the water, the targeted buoyancy allowed for a natural swimming position, which worked well for both breaststroke and front crawl.
The distribution of materials has been well thought out, too. The chest panel features 4mm neoprene to increase buoyancy and support the upper body for a comfortable breaststroke position, while the back and legs are 3mm, which allows for a slightly reduced buoyancy in the legs, suited to the female physique. The arms are made with 2.5mm stretchier Yamamoto 40 for flexibility, while the ankles are thin 2mm, meaning you don’t have to wrestle yourself out of it.