However, depending what it is you're doing (surfing, diving, windsurfing, etc) you'll probably want varying degrees of flexibility. The problem is, the more heat retention a winter wetsuit has in the form of neoprene rubber, the less flexible it will usually be. It's all about striking a balance that's right for you.

 Picking the best winter wetsuit, top tips

• In order to keep you warm, a winter wetsuit should have a minimum of 4mm neoprene thickness. Ideally you'll want around 5mm thickness. Anything less than this probably isn't suitable.

• When buying a winter wetsuit you'll usually see numbers such as 4/3 and 5/3. These refer to the neoprene thickness of the chest and back areas (the first number) and the thickness of the arms (second number). Sometimes you'll see a third number (6/4/3), which unsurprisingly refers to the legs.

• For a winter wetsuit to be a effective it needs to be water tight. Therefore you may have to buy a tighter fit than what you're used to to ensure there's no seepage.

• Maybe it goes without saying, but you need a long sleeve wetsuit with a very sturdy zipper.

• If you're heading into really cold waters then you may want wetsuit boots to cover your feet and wetsuit gloves for your hands. For the ultimate protection get a wetsuit hood for your head.

• Some people are allergic to neoprene. If you're one of them, there are specially made undergarments you can buy to protect your skin.

•  More expensive wetsuits will generally use better quality neoprene.

 Winter Wetsuits: Top five tips

 Are you thinking of buying a winter wetsuit? Perhaps you live in a colder climate and want to get involved in water sports for the first time, or maybe you're an experienced surfer from warmer waters and need advice on buying a complete body wetsuit. Either way there are some key things you have to consider:

 Top five tips for buying a winter wetsuit

1.      Neoprene thickness

Neoprene is a type of rubber used in wetsuits to keep your body warm. The thicker the neoprene the warmer you will be. But thicker rubber means less flexibility. So you need to think carefully about thickness vs flexibility depending on your circumstances. In general a winter wetsuit shouldn't be less than 4mm thick in the chest, but you probably want a thickness of 5mm. When looking at wetsuits you'll see numbers like 4/3 and 5/3 – the first number refers to the chest thickness and the second refers to the arm thickness (if there's a third number it will refer to the leg thickness).

2.      Check the seams

A quality winter wetsuit will used glued and blindstiched seams. This offers good protection from water penetration. More expensive winter wetsuits will go a step further with heat welded tape placed over the seams.

3.      Watertight

It's very important that your wetsuit doesn't allow any seepage. So when buying a winter wetsuit you probably want it to be a little tighter than usual, but with lots of stretch.

4.      Smooth linings 

If you're prone to rashes find a wetsuit with a smoother lining on the inside. Some people are allergic to neoprene. If you find you rash a lot, then try wearing clothes underneath the suit, or invest in specially made wetsuit undergarments.

5.      Added protection

Usually a full body winter wetsuit should keep you warm enough. But if you're heading into particularly chilly waters then you might want wetsuit boots and gloves to protect your hands and feet. Also, lots of heat is lost via the head, so consider a wetsuit hood.

 Removing your wetsuit: Top five tips

You've spent a long hard day out on the waves, it's windy, cold and your arms feel like silly putty.  So the last thing you want to do is struggle your way out of a wetsuit.

 As anyone who regularly uses a full body winter wetsuit will tell you, unwrapping yourself from its clingy embrace can be incredibly frustrating. So here are our top five tips on slipping out of your suit.

 Top five tips: Removing your wetsuit

 1. Wear non-sticky under garments

A good winter wetsuit will cling to your skin pretty tightly to prevent seepage. So to help slip out of the suit easier wear undergarments made of slippery material. Think bikini tops or speedos. Some people also wrap their hands and feet in plastic bags.

 2. Water (yes water) can help

Keep a bucket of water handy when undressing. Pour some of the water into your boots to prevent the vacuum effect that often keeps your foot welded to the rubber.

 3. Gloves first

Take your boots, hood and gloves off first if your wearing them, it will make taking the wetsuit off a lot easier!

 4. No rolling

Don't try to roll the wetsuit off in one go, you'll end-up in knots. Do one arm at a time, and take it slowly.

 5. Cover up

Use a robe or large beach towel when slipping out of the suit to cover your modesty and, most importantly, keep you warm while changing.

 Winter wetsuits and summer wetsuits, what's the difference?

 If you're new to the world of water sports - or if you're lucky enough to have enjoyed very warm waters - buying the right wetsuit isn't always straightforward. Once of the biggest things to consider is weather you need a winter or a summer wetsuit.

 There's so many different types and styles of wetsuit designed for different activities and water temperatures. But below we've given you a general guide to what sort of wetsuit you'll need for general water sports depending on summer or winter temperatures.

 Summer wetsuits for general water sports

 If the water you're in is 60 degrees or over then you'll probably want a summer wetsuit option. This can be a full body wetsuit that has thinner neoprene (the rubber stuff that keeps you warm), or if the water is really hot then just a poly top. Billabong has some great summer wetsuits that you can check out.

 If you get a full suit then look for neoprene thickness of 3/2 (3mm chest, 2mm limbs). If the water is above 70 degrees then this will probably be a bit too warm, so consider just wearing shorts and a neoprene vest. If the water is even warmer then go for a poly top or rash guard.

 Winter wetsuits for general water sports

 When it comes to winter wetsuits you have to balance flexibility with staying warm. The thicker the neoprene the less flexible the suit. Also make sure the suit fits a bit tighter than usual to prevent seepage. Again, Billabong's range of winter wetsuits has some pretty good deals.

 In general, if the water is below 60 degrees, you'll want a wetsuit with 4mm thickness in the chest and 3mm in the limbs. If the waters are below 55 degrees you'll need a sealed suit that is 5mm thick in the chest, 4mm in the arms and 3mm in the legs. For anything below 50 degrees a 6/5/4 suit is required.