A wetsuit
is a garment primarily designed for use in water sports and activities like
surfing, diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Wetsuits come in various
thicknesses, with thicker suits offering more insulation for colder waters and thinner
suits providing more flexibility and freedom of movement. They typically cover
the torso and limbs, and some designs include additional features such as
hoods, gloves, and boots for further protection against the cold.
In addition
to providing thermal insulation, wetsuits also offer some protection against
abrasions, jellyfish stings, and other hazards encountered in aquatic
environments. They are an essential piece of equipment for many water
enthusiasts, allowing them to enjoy their chosen activities comfortably and
safely in a wide range of conditions.
The correct
choice of thickness and type of wetsuit for a certain type of water activity is
the key to comfortable and long-term use of the wetsuit.
Wetsuits
and additional equipment such as neoprene socks, boots, gloves and hoods allow
you to feel comfortable in cool or cold water, so they are used in all types of
water activities:
In this
article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about wetsuits, their
design features, and what you should look for before purchasing.
Due to the
wide variety of designs, wetsuits have become widespread in the following water
sports:
A semi-dry suit is very similar in
appearance to a wet suit, but has a better seal. Sealed cuffs on the arms, legs
and neck, as well as a waterproof zipper, minimize water circulation. Semi-dry
wetsuits are mainly made of neoprene with a thickness of 5-7 mm. Used in
professional scuba diving.
The correct
choice of material from which a wetsuit is made directly depends on the type of
water activity and temperature conditions in which it will be used. The
materials from which wetsuits are made can be divided into four groups:
Neoprene is the most common and elastic material for
making wet and semi-dry wetsuits. It is a “foamed” rubber with different types
of coatings: open cell, smooth skin, various fabric coatings or titanium
coating. A wide range of neoprene thicknesses, from 1.5 to 10 mm, allows you to
choose a wetsuit for different climatic conditions, with water temperatures
from +1 to +30 °C. In addition to wetsuits, additional equipment such as
gloves, socks, boots, and helmets are made from neoprene.
Trilaminate is a combined three-layer material, flexible
and durable. Compared to neoprene, it does not retain heat as well, so they are
used in combination with thermal underwear (underwear). Consists of three
layers: nylon - rubber - nylon. Dry suits are made from trilaminate. The
trilaminate drysuit is ideal for use in professional diving.
Compressed neoprene is high-density neoprene. Resistant to water
pressure, not elastic. This type of material is used to make dry suits for
professional diving.
Membrane fabric is a high-tech multilayer material that has
excellent water-repellent and windproof properties, but is also breathable.
Membrane fabric consists of several layers: an outer wear-resistant layer, a
membrane, and an inner soft layer. It is worth paying attention to the fact
that wetsuits and dry suits made of membrane fabric are designed for use above
water, so they are perfect as a wetsuit for kitesurfing, wakeboarding,
wakesurfing, windsurfing, sup-surfing and other water sports.
What kind of neoprene coating is there?
As we said
earlier, neoprene is foam rubber. There are different types of neoprene
coatings, each with their own specific features and disadvantages. Let's look
at the most common of them, in the external/internal coating format of a
wetsuit.
Nylon/open cell and ultra-stretch nylon/open
cell. Classic
wetsuits for spearfishing, as well as training wetsuits for freediving, have an
outer fabric covering of nylon or ultra-stretch nylon, and inside there is
“naked” uncoated neoprene - open cell. Ultra-stretch nylon fabric covering, in
comparison with classic nylon, has a higher elongation coefficient and,
accordingly, is more elastic. A wetsuit with an open cell inside has better
thermal insulation properties compared to a wetsuit with an internal lining of
nylon or plush. A wetsuit with an “open cell” inner coating is worn exclusively
using a soap solution.
Nylon/nylon and nylon/plush. Wetsuit with double-sided fabric
covering - inside and outside. Nylon/nylon is the most common type of covering
among wetsuits. Nylon/plush has a softer, “fleece” texture on the inner lining.
Such models are used in almost all types of water activities: it is an
excellent wetsuit for open water, diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing,
kitesurfing, etc. Does not require special conditions or skills for dressing.
The presence of a fabric covering on the inside of the wetsuit allows you to
put it on a dry body, without using a soap solution.
Smooth skin/open cell. This wetsuit does not have a
fabric lining. Sanded smooth neoprene has minimal resistance in the water,
making it very popular among professional freedivers. Due to the lack of a
protective fabric layer, the material is quite easy to damage. The process of putting
on and taking off this type of wetsuit is different from putting on and taking
off a fabric lined wetsuit. On this type of wetsuit, it is necessary to
additionally apply a soap solution to the outside, not only when putting it on,
but also when taking it off, otherwise there is a very high probability of the
material tearing.
Smooth skin/nylon, Smooth skin/ultrastretch
nylon and Smooth skin/plush. This type of wetsuit has a smooth coating on the outside, but the
inner surface is covered with fabric – nylon, ultra-stretch nylon or plush. The
presence of a fabric covering on the inside of the wetsuit allows you to put it
on a dry body, without using a soap solution. These wetsuits are common among
athletes who participate in triathlons and open water swimming.
Two-piece wetsuit consists of two parts, the so-called “jacket”
with a built-in hood and pants. Full length sleeves and legs. Wetsuit pants
come in two styles: Long John or high-waisted pants. Such wetsuits are available
of neoprene with a thickness of 1.5 to 10 mm. Used by spearfishers and
freedivers.
Hooded Fullsuit is a one-piece wetsuit with a built-in hood,
full length sleeves and legs with a zipper located on the chest. Such wetsuits
are available of neoprene with a thickness of 5 to 7 mm. An excellent choice
for cool water scuba diving.
Fullsuit is a one-piece wetsuit, without a hood, with
full length sleeves and legs with a zipper located on the back or chest. Such
wetsuits are available from neoprene with a thickness of 1.5 to 7 mm. The most
common and versatile type of wetsuits. Ideal for most types of water
activities.
Shorty wetsuit is a “summer” version of a fullsuit without a hood,
with shortened sleeves (above the elbow) and legs (above the knee). Zipper
located on the back or chest. Available
in thickness from 1.5 to 3 mm. Perfect for scuba and snorkeling in warm water,
as well as kiting, wakeboarding or surfing.
Long John/Long Jane - a jumpsuit with long legs, but with no
sleeves. This version of the wetsuit provides full mobility of the arms. An
excellent choice for swimming, triathlon, kayaking and other activities where
freedom of arm movement is critical. Available in thickness from 2 to 4 mm.
Short John/Short Jane is a “summer” version of the Long
John/Long Jane jumpsuit, with shortened legs (above the knee) and a complete
absence of sleeves. Available in thickness from 1.5 to 3 mm.
Design features of wetsuits.
Protection on knees and elbows. When spearfishing, the knees and
elbows of the wetsuit are most susceptible to mechanical damage. In many
models, these places are reinforced with a more wear-resistant fabric covering
- Duratex material or Supratex material. There are also models with polyurethane
coating on the knees.
Bib. To make loading a speargun easier, some
wetsuit models are equipped with a reinforced chest pad. The bib can be made of
Duratex, Supratex or polyurethane.
Waterlock/Waterstop. Special cuffs with a smooth inner coating
prevent water from getting inside the wetsuit. Depending on the modification of
the wetsuit, they can be located in different places: on the wrist, on the
ankle, on the hood, on the neck, or on the biceps and above the knee in “short”
wetsuits. On drysuits, the seals are made of latex.
Zipper. For putting on and taking off such
modifications as a shorty or fullsuit, a sealed zipper is provided. The
location of the zipper can be both on the back and on the chest.
Any
equipment has its own rules for proper care, and a wetsuit is no exception.
Drying wetsuit. Before you start drying your wetsuit, you must
rinse it well in cool, fresh water. It is recommended to start the drying
process from the inside. Be sure to hang dry your wetsuit, away from sunlight
and heaters.
Storage wetsuit. After each use, we recommend checking the
wetsuit for mechanical damage - cuts, snags, and if any, use a special glue for
neoprene to eliminate them. The wetsuit must be stored suspended, on a wide
plastic hanger, away from sunlight and heating devices. When storing your
wetsuit, make sure it is completely dry, both inside and out, to avoid mold and
odors.
Three key reasons to choose us for your wetsuit purchase:
