Whether abroad or in UK waters if you want to enjoy a prolonged period of activity, in or on the
water, wrapping yourself in neoprene is the way forward ! When submerged in water the body looses heat 20
times faster than in the air so you don’t have to be a serious watersports enthusiast to feel the need to
keep warm. Wetsuits reduce heat loss by putting a layer of insulating foam neoprene over your skin.
Water can enter at the neck, wrists, ankles and is trapped between your skin and the suit. A wetsuit should form a seal all over the body,
with particular emphasis on the torso, a snug and comfortable fit. Parents, please note, a wetsuit with two years growing room in it will
provide little thermal benefit initially but may help with sun protection. Wearing a Rash Vest/Rashie under a wetsuit will also provide an
extra layer, help to make the suit more comfortable by reducing any rubbing particularly around the neck, and provide a smooth surface to
aid the donning of a wetsuit.
Wetsuits come in a variety of options and thicknesses for a variety of watersports activities from
just standing knee deep watching the youngsters splash about in the surf, trying a bit of bodyboarding
and surfing, to the more serious surfer, competitive triathlete or diving and sailing. Today’s neoprene
is manufactured to provide optimum warmth with innovative properties to provide freedom of movement
previously unobtainable.
We sell a variety of wetsuits for multisport use including snorkelling, surfing, diving, swimming,
dinghy sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing, the have-a-go biathlete or triathlete, in fact the majority of watersports
uses. Our wetsuits come from some of the largest manufacturers in the surf, sailing, dive markets including Mares, Gul, C-Skins and we've
recently introduced our own range of Reefwear wetsuits for Adults and Juniors. For example the Reefwear
Flex, the GUL
Profile Shortarm and the C-Skins
Atom wetsuits.
A few definitions:
Shortie - short arms, usually finishing just above the elbow and short legs – usually finishing
just above the knee or on the thigh. Shortie’s are ideal for the hotter summer days.
See the Reefwear
Flex Shortie,
mens,
ladies
and
children.
Full Suits/One piece/Wetsuits/Steamers – often referred to as steamers – a one piece wetsuit
with long arms and long legs. You can also have a short arm steamer - arms finishing just above the elbow
or a convertible steamer which has the option of attaching long sleeves to create a long sleeve full
suit. Full wetsuits are ideal for anyone who would like to be in the water longer and at any time from
Spring to Autumn.
For example the
Reefwear
Flex Steamer, the
GUL
Response, and the
C-Skins
Atom.
Semi-Dry – a full suit with inner ‘seals’ usually around the wrists and ankles to create a more
secure seal to reduce/virtually eliminate water flushing through the suit. A longer seal provides a
greater reduction in flushing. Usually associated with top end suits, thicker suits or for activities
where loss of warmth is critical.
For example the
Mares
Evolution 3pce Suit or the
iQ Q-Tec 5000
Examples of neoprene thicknesses:
3mm, 3/2mm – the industry accepted standard neoprene thickness for warmer summer activities
or high energy activities requiring a greater degree of flexibility. There is also a degree of accepted
tolerance for this thickness of neoprene. For example the Reefwear Flex Steamer, C-Skins Atomic, iQ
Diva. Neoprene thicknesses of less than 2mm are designed for high energy activities or tropical environments where less
thermal protection is required but naturally have a greater degree of flexibility.
5mm, 5/4/3mm, 5/3mm – the industry accepted standard neoprene thicknesses for all year round
activities, winter activities or activities in cooler waters. These suits can also have a combination of
these thicknesses to create greater flexibility to provide greater freedom of movement for higher energy
activities. Thicker neoprene provides greater warmth but less flexibility.
7mm, 7/5mm - the industry accepted standard thickness for all year round activities, winter
activities, activities in colder waters or any watersports activity requiring greater thermal protection
but provides a lesser degree of flexibility eg: scuba diving, snorkelling.
Types of Neoprene
Single lined neoprene/mesh neoprene – neoprene with nylon lining on one side, usually the
inside, to provide a comfortable finish and aid donning of a wetsuit. Also called mesh neoprene. Usually found
on chest and back panels providing a warmer finish as it improves water run-off and cuts down on
windchill.
Double lined neoprene – neoprene with nylon lining on both sides, inside and outside – for
protection, durability and warmth. Multisport wetsuits are usually constructed using the majority of
double lined neoprene.
Titanium Lined neoprene – titanium added to the majority of neoprene utilised on the main
body panels to enhance thermal properties of neoprene less than 5mm thickness. Most neoprene these days
has a degree of titanium lining but ultimately the overall neoprene thickness, seam construction/finish
and fit will have the greatest influence on the overall warmth of the suit.
Seam construction:
Flatlock Stitched SeamsFlatlock is created by stitching neoprene together, creating a flat
seam. This finish is extremely comfortable and durable but can only be used on neoprene up to 3mm and
therefore tends to be used on lighter weight wetsuits.
Blindstitched SeamsBlind Stitching is produced by gluing neoprene together, followed by
stitching across the seam, so not penetrating from one side of neoprene through to the other. Tape can be
added to stress points for extra strength. All suits thicker than 3mm would be constructed using this
method.
Neck Seals/Wrist Seals/Ankle Seals can be finished using a smooth rubber finish eg: glideskin and is
designed to help reduce water flushing in these critical areas. This type of finish is virtually always
around the neck seal and in the case of semi-dry suits also around the wrists and ankles.
What type of wetsuit should I wear?
3/2mm Shorty wetsuits
Fun in the sun, beach watersports, swimming, multisport use
Warm
Water Snorkelling
Tropical Scuba Diving water temp over 27c
Summer Windsurfing
Multisports,
Kayak, dinghy, jet ski, etc
3/2mm Full wetsuits
Fun in the sun, beach watersports, swimming, multisport use
Summer
boardsports water temp over 15c
Summer Snorkelling water temp over 15c
Tropical Scuba Diving water
temp over 25c
Summer Windsurfing, Sailing, Kayaking
5mm, 5/3mm Full wetsuits
Boardsports water temp over 10c
Snorkelling water temp over
10c
Warm Water Scuba Diving water temp over 20c
Not bad for: Sailing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing,
Jetskiing and possibly Winter Swimming
5mm 2-3 Piece wetsuits
Snorkelling water temp over 10c
Scuba Diving water temp over
15c
For these activities wearing a hood, gloves and boots are also beneficial
7mm 1-2 Piece wetsuits
Scuba Diving water temp over 10c
Not bad for cold water
snorkelling
For these activities wearing a hood, gloves and boots are virtually a necessity
Please note: the above temperatures/suit thickness offer general guidelines based on our experience gained over the last 25
years. There are a number of external factors that may also be considered, eg: general ambient temperature, your own physiology, your own
requirements.