Weight for a 2 mm shorty wetsuit: what to know
A shorty covers the torso and upper legs, so it adds about 1 kg of lift in this model. It still floats more than swimwear, so check your weighting with the shorty on rather than copying a friend in a full suit.
Worked example
For an 80 kg diver with an average build, wearing a 2 mm shorty and using an aluminum 80 tank in saltwater, the calculator estimates 3.5 kg (7.5 lb). Your number will differ with your body and gear, so enter your own values above and then do a buoyancy check.
Common questions
How much weight for a shorty wetsuit?
About 1 kg more than no suit for a typical adult. Run your own numbers above, then check.
Shorty or 3 mm: which needs less lead?
The shorty. A 3 mm full suit adds about 2 kg, a shorty about 1 kg.
Does a shorty need a weight belt?
Not always. Lean divers with a steel tank may need almost none, but check with a nearly empty tank.
Why is my shorty buoyant at the surface?
Neoprene traps gas bubbles, so even a thin suit floats, and it compresses with depth.
Do I weight differently with a rash guard under it?
Not noticeably. A thin layer adds very little lift.
Related calculators
Weight for a semi-dry suit with hoodWeight with a steel HP100 tankWeight with a steel HP120 tankHow much weight do I need?
