Is a wetsuits just a wetsuit and are all wetsuits made the same? Can you use a wetsuit that is meant for diving when you go swimming, surfing, windsurfing etc…? To some point you can, wetsuit is designed to keep you warm no matter for what sport it was originally meant. But on the other and wearing a wrong wetsuit can be limiting.

What are the basic requirements of a wet suit? It should fit you snugly and keep you warm. Some are thinner, some thicker, some are lighter and some heavier. The most important thing when choosing a wetsuit is the area where the wet suit will be used. Are you going to be scuba diving in Tahiti or snorkeling in the Seychelles? Alternatively, you could be deep sea diving around Northern Europe, in much colder waters.

So how do wetsuits work, how do they keep us warm? The main thing here is the material from which they are made of. Neoprene is a rubbery material that contains lots and lots of small bubbles filled with gas. These bubbles act as insulation against the cold water and give the neoprene great insulation capabilities.After you put on your wetsuit and enter the water a thin layer of water will come between your body and the neoprene. It will be heated by your body and you will be warm. If you are diving - when you reach greater depths the water that might have entered the wetsuit will be squeezed out by the pressure.

So how thick wetsuit do you need greatly depends on the water temperature. And water temperature depends on the location and time - where and when are you going to use your wetsuit. Another thing to consider is also your sex. Wetsuits for women are a bit different that wetsuits for men.

Women should always get a little warmer wetsuit than a man for the same water temperature. Why? Because womens body has comparatively more surface area then mens body. This is why women get cold faster. Also - a general rule is that a warmer wetsuit is more practical since if you feel warm you can always let some cold water in to cool you down but if you feel cold there is not much that you can do.

If you want to get a really warm wetsuit than you should get a two piece suit. Here your body is covered by two layers of neoprene. On the other hand a two piece wetsuit is clumsier and not that suitable for other sports but diving. Also, you will need to carry some extra lead with this wetsuit when you are diving since it is more buoyant than normal one piece wetsuit.

Now that we have covered the thickness of your wetsuit in relation to the water temperature you need to focus on the fit. Wetsuit needs to fit you, if it is to big, it will fill with water and loose much of its insulation capabilities. Only the right thickness and the right fit will keep you warm and let you dive without the fear of cold.

Tags: Surfing

Share This