Hi everyone,

I've been thinking of buying a wetsuit so I can get more muddy even if it's cold outside. I just have a few things I'm wondering about, so to all those who have been mudding in a wetsuit, please share your experience with this!

How warm will it be? Should it be the thickest one or will that be too much, considering I'll be wearing rainwear as well. How much do brands matter, will cheap ones fall apart? Anything I should know regarding size?

I have a wetsuit but I haven't used it just for mud

Things to consider is that everything outside the suit will be super cold so if your hands are bare as you take and put on the suit if it's covered in mud the outside temperature will be just as cold sometimes the toes are exposed to so just remember that when cleaning up it may be better to have a warm shower with the wetsuit on at first. Other than that get a good one and try it on yourself first. Still waking up so that's all that comes to mind at the moment.

I swim in wetsuits a lot, and I've got muddy in them a couple of times when there's mud that's too enticing to resist at a quiet swim spot.
The smoothskin suits used for open water or triathlon swimming feel great, but the bare neoprene outer layer is very prone to picking up nicks and tears. So a surf or diving intended suit might last better in most muddy situations.

Hi Raindancer,

I usually wear a wetsuit under my rainwear when I go mudding.

I have a few that I like to play in.

I wouldn't say brands matter that much, for the sake of getting it trashed in mud I've used some cheaper second hand 3mm surfing wetsuits. The most important thing is the zip. It can clog up with mud really easily and you can get stuck!

So go for the chunkiest zip you can. My favourite wetsuit I have is a thick Warmbac wetsuit that has fleece sleeves. It's designed for caving, so the zip has no problem with the mud.

My other favourite is my Beaver two-piece 'beavertail' 7mm wetsuit. This is is a sleeveless wetsuit with a jacket that fits over the top and fastens through the crotch. It has a hood, although I don't put it up. I swim in this mostly because I get too hot in this if it's layered up with rainwear.

The other thing I've found helpful are some neoprene socks. Just to go inside waders or wellies. When the water gets in, your feet are still warm.

And obviously, enjoy peeing in your wetsuit!