What wetsuits keep you warm?
Up-to-date neoprene wetsuit technology allows these thicker fullsuits to keep you warm and keep your performance up while in colder water. A wetsuit for cold water is great for 35 degree and up water temps and can be worn for watersports like surfing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, and more! Factors to Consider Typically, if you are surfing in water below 68°F (20°C), a wetsuit may be needed to help maintain your body heat and prevent hypothermia. Water temperatures above this can be more forgiving, allowing for more flexibility in your choice of surf attire.The main disadvantage of wetsuits is that they can still be quite cold in colder water temperatures, as they allow water to enter and then warm up against the body. They also require more frequent replacement than drysuits, as the neoprene material can degrade over time.When the water temperature measures between 50 and 65 degrees, wetsuits are strongly encouraged, and some races may require their use. Between 65 and 78 degrees, it’s typically the athlete’s choice of whether to wear a wetsuit.A safe open water wetsuit should be a 3:3 thickness for women and a 3:5 thickness for men. This means 3mm of neoprene around the chest and legs for women, and 3mm of neoprene around the chest for men and 5mm of neoprene around the legs for men.
Should you buy a wetsuit a size bigger?
If you land between two sizes, or you’re at the top of the size range and are unsure which would be best suited to you then we would always advise sizing up, wetsuits are already designed for a tighter fit without restricting your range of movement therefore its best to accommodate for this by sizing up. Fit is a very important aspect to consider when buying a wetsuit. If your wetsuit does not fit properly it will not be able to keep you warm or allow you the mobility you need for your sport. Consulting brand-specific size charts for wetsuits are the best way to start finding the correct wetsuit fit.Wetsuits Ideal for cool and colder water temperatures, the 4/3 is a fullsuit/steamer wetsuit with 4mm neoprene around the torso and 3mm neoprene around the arms and legs.How does a wetsuits thickness affect warmth? It’s fairly simple: the thicker the wetsuit, the warmer you will be. A 5/4/3 wetsuit will be much warmer than a 3/2 wetsuit.If you’re primarily in warmer waters, a 3mm suit should be sufficient, if you’re primarily in waters where temperatures hover around the mid-teens, a 4mm suit should be more than enough. But if you plan to tackle cold waters or winter waves, a 5mm wetsuit will keep you toasty and ready for anything.
Do you wear anything under a wetsuit?
The quick answer to the question of what to wear under a wetsuit is – it can be either nothing at all, a thin garment like a rash vest, compression shorts or bikini for comfort or for extra warmth a thermal hooded rash vest. Wetsuits don’t actually loosen once you’re in the water, but they do tend to feel more comfortable. This is because the neoprene material softens slightly when wet, allowing it to mould more closely to your body over time.In general, a wetsuit should fit snugly, like a second skin, but not so tight that your range of motion is limited. The sleeves should fall at the wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone, and there should be no gaps, pockets, or rolls of neoprene.You can either wash it in the shower or dunk it in a large bucket of water. This helps to keep the neoprene stretchy and the zippers running smoothly. After washing your wetsuit with cold water, hang it on a hanger to drip dry. Use a horizontal hanger and fold the suit in half over the waistline.Back-zip wetsuits feature a long zip along the back of the wetsuit. They are the easiest and fastest wetsuits to get in and out of. However, the longer zipper tends to make the wetsuit less flexible and let more water into your suit.Nylon-Lined Neoprene is the most common material used for wetsuits. This is because the nylon lining glides against the skin, making the suit easier to slip, also it adds protection for the suit.
How long do wetsuits last?
If you follow these basic care steps, your wetsuit should last at least a year. With occasional use and attentive care, wetsuits can last up to five years. Generally, the more flexible and high performance a suit is the shorter its lifespan. No matter what type of suit you own, it will have a shelf life. On average, a well-maintained wetsuit can last anywhere from 2 to 3 years with regular use. If wetsuits are not adequately maintained or if they are of inferior quality, their lifespan can be shorter.The right blend makes the difference – with modern material mixes, you can find very comfortable and elastic materials that are still very durable – although this comes at a cost. Typically, a good quality wetsuit should last at least two years, but generally around five years or more, even with heavy use.Salt water and especially chlorine can dry out the neoprene material. When neoprene material dries out it looses its flexibility. To ensure the wetsuit material retains its flexibility for a extended period of time, it’s important to thoroughly soak and rinse the wetsuit.After every session, you have to wash your wetsuit in order to get it fresh and ready for the next one. Apart from eliminating sand, salt, and odors, regular care will make your wetsuit last much longer.
Is it OK to wear a wetsuit all day?
While wetsuits are fantastic for staying warm in the water, they aren’t designed for all-day wear. Since wetsuits fit snugly to your body, wearing one for extended periods can lead to skin irritation, particularly around areas of friction. If you use your wetsuit over and over and never rinse it, the salt will eventually start corroding the seams. That can lead to your seams eventually ripping and tearing, which, as we have discussed, will make your wetsuit essentially non-functional over time.Don’t leave your wetsuit in the sun to dry as this will accelerate the wear of the neoprene and lining. The ozone and UV rays in sunlight cause neoprene to lose stretch and become brittle over time. UV will also cause colors to fade. The longer you leave your wetsuit in the sun, the quicker it will deteriorate.Expensive wetsuits are often made from higher-quality neoprene, which offers better flexibility, warmth, and durability. High-end neoprene like Yamamoto, known for its superior warmth and stretch, is commonly found in pricier models.When the suit is too large and the material piles up in certain areas, cold water seeps in and runs through the suit (a phenomenon known as flushing). A wetsuit that is too small, however, is too tight and can restrict your freedom of movement in the water.
What is the best wetsuit color?
Scuba divers commonly wear black wetsuits for similar reasons as other water sports enthusiasts: black absorbs more heat, helping to maintain body temperature in cooler waters. Black also tends to be more durable and practical, as it hides stains and damage better than lighter colours. Since sharks may have difficulty seeing warmer colours like red or yellow, these colours would not attract them, unlike other marine animals that might be drawn to more vibrant colours.Sharks have monochromatic vision, which basically means they are color blind. This causes them to have a much better eye for high contrast objects. For example colors that are bright white, yellow, or orange.Alternatively, divers and swimmers can probably reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright and highly contrasting swimwear or dive gear. We personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving.Alternatively, divers and swimmers can probably reduce the chance of an interaction with a shark by avoiding bright and highly contrasting swimwear or dive gear. We personally prefer to use dark blue or black fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit while diving.