FAQ

Frequently asked questions
What sizes do you offer?
We currently offer six sizes. Each product page includes detailed measurements for chest, waist, hips, height, and weight to help you find your best fit.
As a small brand, we're starting with core sizes and plan to expand our range as we grow. If you're outside our current size range, sign up for our newsletter to be notified when additional sizes become available.
I’m between sizes, what should I choose?
If you sit between sizes on our size chart, we recommend choosing the larger size. A suit that’s too tight is harder to get in and out of and will wear out more quickly. A slightly looser suit will mold to your body with wear and may shrink a bit with age.
What’s the difference between the Smoothskin and Jersey suits?
Both suits share the same overall fit, 4/3mm Japanese limestone rubber, and front-zip entry system. The Smoothskin suit uses smooth and mesh rubber on the outside to help cut windchill and hold warmth close; it runs warmer but is more delicate and needs extra care around fingernails and rough surfaces. The Jersey suit uses a durable neoprene jersey exterior, making it a tough, everyday cold-water suit. Learn more on our Our Wetsuits page.
Where are Basalt wetsuits made?
Every Basalt suit is handcrafted in Japan in a small factory of about fifteen experienced craftspeople. Suits are made one at a time, with panels cut individually, glued, and blind-stitched with care. As your suit moves through the factory it travels with a quality-control card stamped at each stage with the maker’s personal hanko (seal), so nothing leaves the line until it’s right.
How should I care for my suit?
Rinse your suit in cool freshwater after each session and hang it to dry inside-out in the shade. Avoid heat: no hot showers, jacuzzis, washing machines, dryers, or direct sun for long periods. Treat smoothskin panels with extra care around rough surfaces and sharp objects. Full details are on our Care & Repairs page.
What does the 1-year warranty cover?
Every Basalt suit comes with a 1-year manufacturing warranty on construction, which covers issues like seam separation or bonding failures that appear without external damage. Normal wear and tear and user-inflicted damage (fingernail nicks, cuts, overstretching, heat damage, abrasion from rough surfaces) aren’t covered, but many of these issues can still be repaired. We work with a specialist repair shop in California and our factory in Japan to decide the best fix. See Care & Repairs for how to start a claim.
What is the return policy?
All Basalt wetsuits and soft goods are final sale. We do not offer returns, exchanges, or refunds. We produce each wetsuit in small batches, and once a wetsuit has been tried on, we cannot guarantee it meets our quality standards for resale. We're here to help you get the right fit the first time - email us at hello@basaltsea.com with any sizing questions before you order.