Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit: first impressions
The fabric of the wetsuit is soft and feels nice to the touch. It feels much softer than normal wetsuit fabric. I also did a sniff test of the suit because some wetsuits smell a bit strange. The Nieuwland smells perfectly fine.
The suit is easy to put on – perhaps a little too easy. I am usually a UK10 (US 6) and I wonder if the size smaller would have been a neater fit, although it might not have been long enough.
Although the fabric is only 2mm thick, It looks durable enough and I wasn't worried about tearing it with my nails. I have torn other wetsuits because the fabric is too fragile. It’s possible to do up the robust back zip yourself thanks to a long zip pull, although it’s easier if you ask a friend to zip you in.
• List price: £155 (UK). Finisterre
• Size: UK 6 to UK 22
• Style: Shorty swimsuit, long sleeves, rear zip
• Gender availability: Women’s only
• Materials: Yulex natural rubber (85%) | synthetic rubber by polymer content (15%)
• Colors: Black
• Compatibility: Open water swimming, surfing, snorkelling
The suit feels very comfortable, even against bare skin, and not at all constricting. I have long arms and the sleeves are just long enough, meaning they will be fine for the average person. Sometimes with wetsuits, the neckline can be irritating but the Finisterre Nieuwland is comfortable all over. The neck cuff rises up a bit but it’s not uncomfortable.
The suit has shorts-style legs and the length of these are fine. I would personally prefer a slightly longer leg to cover a bit more thigh skin but they surprised me by staying in place when I was in and out of the water. The fit is quite flattering and I expect it would be even more so if I had the smaller size.
It's also worth being aware of Finisterre’s wetsuit rental system. It’s possible to rent a suit to try it and then send it back. This costs from £20 in the UK.
Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit: in the water
The Yulex fabric is 2mm thick. I am used to wild swimming without a wetsuit in the summer months. I sometimes pop on a 1mm wetsuit vest on cooler summer days so a 2mm thick wetsuit in summer would feel quite warming for me.
I am not normally a long-distance open water swimmer, but rather someone who enjoys a dip and a bit of a swim. If I am planning to swim longer distances I would wear a full length wetsuit because I do suffer with the cold in open water. However, I like a shorty wetsuit because they are easier to get on and off compared to a full length wetsuit.
I received the Finisterre Women's Nieuwland shorty wetsuit in winter, so I tested it in particularly cold water conditions. I was surprised by how warming the 2mm Yulex rubber was. I was much more grateful for the long sleeves than I thought I would be. Having covered arms really helps with overall warmth.
Because I was wearing wetsuit gloves and socks, too, the only parts of my body without wetsuit cover were my legs, neck and head. Once the cold water had seeped into the Nieuwland shorty, it quickly warmed and I felt quite comfortable staying in the water.
Of course, everyone has different warm/cold tolerances and it’s worth noting that many people will find 2mm is too thin for swimming for a longer duration in winter cold water. However, if you are looking for suit for summer wear and for quick wild swimming type dips in winter it could be good choice.
Swimming in the suit was no problem at all. The fabric is stretchy and it didn’t inhibit my swimming.
I do wonder why Finisterre has chosen to make the suit in black only. I know many women like black because it is flattering to wear but black in open water seems silly. It would be much better to have a suit with some colored areas or even a fluorescent panel so swimmers can be seen.
A major test of a wetsuit is how easy it is to get off after the swim. No one wants to struggle after getting out of the water when they are cold and wet. I was able to unzip the shorty suit myself and then quickly take it off. The cuff of the arm where I wear a watch was a little more difficult to get off but I simply turned the arms inside out. The wetsuit was the easiest to take off of any I've ever worn. The wetsuit also dripped dry at home quite quickly.
The Finisterre Nieuwland’s eco-credentials seem better than other traditional neoprene wetsuits. Yulex rubber is a plant-based alternative to neoprene and it’s claimed this cuts carbon emissions by 80% compared to traditional neoprene rubber sheets. I have no way of verifying this but it does seem that many wetsuit manufacturers are turning their backs on neoprene for environmental reasons.
The wetsuit is made with AQUAA solvent-free glue that is said to “eliminate Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), without compromising on performance or durability”.
The wetsuit also includes recycled polyester fabric and the product is transported by the brand to their warehouse by land and sea, using less carbon-intensive journeys and avoiding air freight wherever possible.
The wetsuit is not cheap, but also it's not as pricey as some other brands. I'm hoping to get many years of wear from it.
