CHOOSING YOUR WETSUIT

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 Seams
Flatlock 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 Seams
Blind 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.