The summer holidays are just around the corner and many children would love to spend the whole time at the beach and in the water. But because kids get cold much quicker than adults, the water fun can be over sooner than expected, even in southern climes. Not to mention the North Sea and Baltic Sea, where water temperatures rarely exceed 20 degrees even in midsummer. The sporting goods manufacturer Decathlon recently launched new wetsuits for children made from certified natural rubber. We got ourselves a test sample and tell you what you can expect from it.
19.99 euros for a shorty - this is only a fraction of what renowned neoprene manufacturers demand for a children's wetsuit. The shorty is made from certified natural rubber, which - unlike classic neoprene - does not use any synthetic, petroleum-based resources. The shorty itself is offered in two colour combinations and is available in six different sizes for body sizes from 113 to 172 centimetres.
Good material for the Decathlon wetsuit, thinly dimensioned
At first glance, the material is no different from classic neoprene, but in practical tests it offers good stretch properties. The neck finish is pleasantly soft, so there are no annoying chafe marks even during long periods in the water. Entry is easy as the back zip can be opened wide enough. The zip is also lined with a neoprene cover to prevent the zip from rubbing on the back. The fact that the seams on this model are not additionally taped and no other features are included is both understandable and acceptable given the favourable price.
However, due to the thin dimensions of just 1.5 millimetres, the thermal insulation of the wetsuit is manageable. At early summer water temperatures of 16 degrees on the Baltic Sea, our little tester was shivering after just 20 minutes, despite air temperatures of 25 degrees. However, if you are travelling around the Mediterranean and enjoy water temperatures of well over 20 degrees, the Decathlon neoprene shorty is the perfect warmth upgrade. Of course, the neoprene also protects you from strong sunlight.
Decathlon Neoprene Shorty Yulex 100 - the conclusion
The new neoprene shorts from Decathlon fulfil their purpose. Given the price, you certainly can't go wrong with them. However, you should be aware that the shorties only provide sufficient thermal insulation for warm destinations and water temperatures well above 20 degrees. For colder temperatures (< 20 degrees water), you should always opt for a Model with long arms. If you are looking for a children's neo for the North Sea and Baltic Sea, with which the kids can swim or do water sports for longer, you should definitely opt for thicker models (4-5mm) from a brand manufacturer >> at Decathlon available.
By the way: The new natural rubber is also available at DecathlonSwimming stops for adults - these are also designed for warm temperatures. Here is a brief overview:
