Let's Start with How Does a Wetsuit Work?
The urban myth says that a wetsuit keeps you warm by your body heat warming up the water trapped between your skin and the wetsuit and that is what keeps you warm - sorry to say, this is not true...
Neoprene is made up of a type rubber that is injected with zillions of microscopic air bubbles during the manufacturing process. It is these bubbles that create an insulating barrier, making it harder and slower for water to penetrate the wetsuit and for heat to leave it. Therefore, it is this foamy, bubbly barrier that keeps your body insulated and warm. The thicker the wetsuit, the thicker the barrier and insulation, and the warmer you will be.
So, the next time your dive buddy tells you that they're going to pee in their wetsuit at the beginning of the dive so they'll heat up their wetsuit quicker and stay warmer, you can laugh to yourself. Because, you know that the only difference it's going to make for them is that they get to swim around in their pee the whole dive. If you want to be kind, though, you'll share your new found knowledge on how their wetsuit really works!
Neoprene is made up of a type rubber that is injected with zillions of microscopic air bubbles during the manufacturing process. It is these bubbles that create an insulating barrier, making it harder and slower for water to penetrate the wetsuit and for heat to leave it. Therefore, it is this foamy, bubbly barrier that keeps your body insulated and warm. The thicker the wetsuit, the thicker the barrier and insulation, and the warmer you will be.
So, the next time your dive buddy tells you that they're going to pee in their wetsuit at the beginning of the dive so they'll heat up their wetsuit quicker and stay warmer, you can laugh to yourself. Because, you know that the only difference it's going to make for them is that they get to swim around in their pee the whole dive. If you want to be kind, though, you'll share your new found knowledge on how their wetsuit really works!
How are Wetsuits Made?
Customised wetsuits exist for a variety of water sports, but dive specific suits are in a league of their own. Compare a diving suit to those worn by surfers and you'll see functional differences. The arms and shoulders are positioned differently (surf suits require better overhead reach for paddling), and diving wetsuits are often thicker to account for the compression that occurs at depth, which reduces insulation.
Wetsuits are traditionally made with closed-cell foam neoprene, a material that starts as a rubbery, white chip with a consistency like the sole of a sneaker. Plasticising and foaming agents are used to soften the material, which is then vulcanised so it maintains its shape. Carbon black is added to improve tensile strength and turn the milky-white neoprene black, which makes it more resistant to sunlight.
There's a lot of science behind modern wetsuits, and the materials used can significantly affect the manufacturing cost. When you buy a wetsuit, the price is related to its contents as Neoprene is a relatively expensive ingredient. Wetsuits made from pure neoprene maintain their flexibility longer. They're easier to put on, and they tend to be more expensive than wetsuits made from combinations of neoprene and other materials.
The type and quality of fabric placed over the neoprene affects price, too. Wetsuits made with higher-stretch fabrics such as Lycra® and spandex are more expensive than suits with nylon exteriors. Although it's difficult to generalise, less expensive suits often have a lower percentage of neoprene. Such suits may wear down more quickly, becoming stiff and hard to put on.
There are many cheap suits available to buy which are made of synthetic neoprene which has a much shorter working life (and is prone to ripping), lower thermal properties, and increased buoyancy.
The best way to ensure you buy a wetsuit manufactured using a good quality neoprene is to always purchase wet suits from large scuba manufacturers like Fourth Element, Aqua Lung, Bare or Mares (others are also available), not at your local supermarket!
Fourth Element Wetsuits are amongst the warmest and stylish wetsuits we offer in the dive shop.
Wetsuits are traditionally made with closed-cell foam neoprene, a material that starts as a rubbery, white chip with a consistency like the sole of a sneaker. Plasticising and foaming agents are used to soften the material, which is then vulcanised so it maintains its shape. Carbon black is added to improve tensile strength and turn the milky-white neoprene black, which makes it more resistant to sunlight.
There's a lot of science behind modern wetsuits, and the materials used can significantly affect the manufacturing cost. When you buy a wetsuit, the price is related to its contents as Neoprene is a relatively expensive ingredient. Wetsuits made from pure neoprene maintain their flexibility longer. They're easier to put on, and they tend to be more expensive than wetsuits made from combinations of neoprene and other materials.
The type and quality of fabric placed over the neoprene affects price, too. Wetsuits made with higher-stretch fabrics such as Lycra® and spandex are more expensive than suits with nylon exteriors. Although it's difficult to generalise, less expensive suits often have a lower percentage of neoprene. Such suits may wear down more quickly, becoming stiff and hard to put on.
There are many cheap suits available to buy which are made of synthetic neoprene which has a much shorter working life (and is prone to ripping), lower thermal properties, and increased buoyancy.
The best way to ensure you buy a wetsuit manufactured using a good quality neoprene is to always purchase wet suits from large scuba manufacturers like Fourth Element, Aqua Lung, Bare or Mares (others are also available), not at your local supermarket!
Fourth Element Wetsuits are amongst the warmest and stylish wetsuits we offer in the dive shop.
Types of Wetsuit
The style of suit you will need will be dictated by the water temperature you will be diving in.
Shorty wetsuit – In the warmest water a shorty wetsuit will be ideal, with short arms and legs where only the body is covered. This is perfect in warm water where you will be diving deeper or longer, possibly below the thermocline where you need something just to keep the chill off.
Full length steamer – This is essentially the same as a shorty wet suit but these suits include full length arms and legs. These suits offer additional warmth as well as extra abrasion protection and are ideal when diving near wrecks to avoid minor cuts.
Layer systems – In recent years layered systems have replaced traditional semi dry suits to offer maximum warmth and versatility. Two or more layers allow additional and better water trapping than the old single layer technology. Layers also allow you to use thinner neoprenes to create extra warmth.
Semi Dry Suits – These are virtually obsolete nowadays and have been replaced by layered systems as described above. The old fashioned semi dry suits had ankle, wrist and neck areas made of a special material to reduce the flushing effect of warm water being washed out of the suit by cold water entering. They were also normally a two piece system with the undersuit part consisting of a long legged, vest sleeve topped steamer and a long armed , no legs, crotch fixed top layer. The major downside of these suits was that only the absolute bare minimum of torso had a double layer and neither layer could be used without the other, offering no versatility at all.
Shorty wetsuit – In the warmest water a shorty wetsuit will be ideal, with short arms and legs where only the body is covered. This is perfect in warm water where you will be diving deeper or longer, possibly below the thermocline where you need something just to keep the chill off.
Full length steamer – This is essentially the same as a shorty wet suit but these suits include full length arms and legs. These suits offer additional warmth as well as extra abrasion protection and are ideal when diving near wrecks to avoid minor cuts.
Layer systems – In recent years layered systems have replaced traditional semi dry suits to offer maximum warmth and versatility. Two or more layers allow additional and better water trapping than the old single layer technology. Layers also allow you to use thinner neoprenes to create extra warmth.
Semi Dry Suits – These are virtually obsolete nowadays and have been replaced by layered systems as described above. The old fashioned semi dry suits had ankle, wrist and neck areas made of a special material to reduce the flushing effect of warm water being washed out of the suit by cold water entering. They were also normally a two piece system with the undersuit part consisting of a long legged, vest sleeve topped steamer and a long armed , no legs, crotch fixed top layer. The major downside of these suits was that only the absolute bare minimum of torso had a double layer and neither layer could be used without the other, offering no versatility at all.
What Thickness Wetsuit Should I Wear?
3/2mm, 3mm, 2.5mm Shorty Wetsuits
Please note: the above temperatures/suit thickness offer general guidelines based on our experience. There are a number of external factors that may also be considered, e.g. general ambient temperature, your own physiology or your own requirements.
- Fun in the sun, beach watersports, swimming, multisport use
- Warm Water Snorkelling
- Tropical Scuba Diving water temp over 27°C
- Summer Windsurfing, Multisports, Kayak, dinghy, jetskiing, swimming, in fact most water sports etc.
- Fun in the sun, beach watersports, swimming, multisport use
- Summer boardsports water temp over 15°C
- Summer Snorkelling water temp over 15°C
- Tropical Scuba Diving water temp over 25°C
- Summer Windsurfing, Multisports, Kayak, dinghy, jetskiing, swimming, in fact most water sports etc.
- Boardsports water temp over 10°C
- Snorkelling water temp over 10°C
- Warm Water Scuba Diving water temp over 20°C
- Also: Winter/Spring Surfing, Sailing, Windsurfing, Kitesurfing, Jetskiing and possibly Winter Swimming
- Snorkelling water temp over 10°C
- Scuba Diving water temp over 15°C
- For these activities wearing a hood, gloves and boots are also beneficial
- Scuba Diving water temp over 10°C
- 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. There are a number of external factors that may also be considered, e.g. general ambient temperature, your own physiology or your own requirements.
Wetsuit Fitting
Bagginess in a wetsuit allows for pooling of large amounts of water which requires lots of energy to be generated to maintain the water temperature, which the body cannot generate sufficiently, resulting in a cooling effect which is the exact opposite to what is desired. Ill fitting suits may also suffer from flushing where the warm water is flushed from the suit by cooler water entering the suit.
For this reason, a wetsuit should be snug, not so tight that it could restrict breathing, but comfortably tight. Wetsuits can be quite a struggle to get in and out of so when trying one on, if you need a hand initially and have to jump about to get the suit on properly, don’t be too hasty to assume that the suit is too small. It probably isn’t.
If it feels comfortable and you have an adequate amount of movement in it, it should be fine. Scuba suits have a longer zip than surface suits which make them somewhat easier to get on and take off (the reason that surface suits have a short zip is because a zip will not stretch to allow for the extra movement required in say windsurfing. The neoprene panel at the base of the zip is made as long as possible to allow the back of the suit to stretch – a feature not necessary for scuba diving.)
Some people may not fit into standard size suits and for these people the only resort is to have a suit made to measure, which can be expensive and does not ensure that the suit will fit perfectly.
Due to the problems associated with made to measure suits and the risk that the suit will not meet the customers expectations, it is sadly not a service that we can offer.
If you decide to have a suit made to measure and you can find a reputable manufacturer, you should ensure that you are measured by a trained, experienced person because if you get even one of the many measurements wrong, you will have a very strange shaped and badly fitting suit!
For this reason, a wetsuit should be snug, not so tight that it could restrict breathing, but comfortably tight. Wetsuits can be quite a struggle to get in and out of so when trying one on, if you need a hand initially and have to jump about to get the suit on properly, don’t be too hasty to assume that the suit is too small. It probably isn’t.
If it feels comfortable and you have an adequate amount of movement in it, it should be fine. Scuba suits have a longer zip than surface suits which make them somewhat easier to get on and take off (the reason that surface suits have a short zip is because a zip will not stretch to allow for the extra movement required in say windsurfing. The neoprene panel at the base of the zip is made as long as possible to allow the back of the suit to stretch – a feature not necessary for scuba diving.)
Some people may not fit into standard size suits and for these people the only resort is to have a suit made to measure, which can be expensive and does not ensure that the suit will fit perfectly.
Due to the problems associated with made to measure suits and the risk that the suit will not meet the customers expectations, it is sadly not a service that we can offer.
If you decide to have a suit made to measure and you can find a reputable manufacturer, you should ensure that you are measured by a trained, experienced person because if you get even one of the many measurements wrong, you will have a very strange shaped and badly fitting suit!
Choosing the correct size of wetsuit is key to ensuring you benefit from the insulating benefits of wearing a wetsuit. You should use the measurements on the size charts provided as a guide to overall fit, taking into consideration the height, chest and waist measurements.
To help guide you to choosing the most appropriate wetsuit size, you should firstly take these key measurements:
Your Height (normal height measurement, top of head to ankle/heel), Your Chest, Your Waist measurements.
When you have this information you can properly refer to the manufacturers sizing guides.
Every wetsuit manufacturer produces their own size range of wetsuits and has their own way of referring to those sizes. Some manufacturers will use numbers to identify sizes eg 1, 2, 3 etc. some will use letters eg M, MT, L, LS, etc.
Occasionally a manufacturer producing a large range of wetsuits may also have specific size/measurement guides for certain types/designs of wetsuits within their range.
As a result you may not always be a (L) Large in every design/style/brand of wetsuit. Neoprene stretches in all directions and tends to conform to the body shape.
A 3mm neoprene wetsuit will often fit/feel quite different, as the neoprene is more flexible, compared to a much thicker 5mm or 7mm neoprene suit which has less flexibility.
Putting on a wetsuit is not difficult but requires a little patience and technique. The thicker the neoprene the more awkward/tighter it may seem. A wetsuit is designed to be a snug fit in order for it to work efficiently
To help guide you to choosing the most appropriate wetsuit size, you should firstly take these key measurements:
Your Height (normal height measurement, top of head to ankle/heel), Your Chest, Your Waist measurements.
When you have this information you can properly refer to the manufacturers sizing guides.
Every wetsuit manufacturer produces their own size range of wetsuits and has their own way of referring to those sizes. Some manufacturers will use numbers to identify sizes eg 1, 2, 3 etc. some will use letters eg M, MT, L, LS, etc.
Occasionally a manufacturer producing a large range of wetsuits may also have specific size/measurement guides for certain types/designs of wetsuits within their range.
As a result you may not always be a (L) Large in every design/style/brand of wetsuit. Neoprene stretches in all directions and tends to conform to the body shape.
A 3mm neoprene wetsuit will often fit/feel quite different, as the neoprene is more flexible, compared to a much thicker 5mm or 7mm neoprene suit which has less flexibility.
Putting on a wetsuit is not difficult but requires a little patience and technique. The thicker the neoprene the more awkward/tighter it may seem. A wetsuit is designed to be a snug fit in order for it to work efficiently
Features
Plush Lining – Plush lining is another concept in wetsuit linings, that although it has been around for many years, it comes and goes with fashions. This type of lining is best described as tiny loops of weave, maybe only 1-2mm in length that stand proud of the internal surface. Again the concept is to trap more water within the suit, the more warm water in the suit the warmer the diver! (Although remember, a baggy suit is taking this concept too far). This lining also gives the inside of the suit a very soft and comfortable feel.
Internal bibs - Stop the initial flush of cold water down your back when you jump in for that first dive! and on the Fourth Element 3mm, 5mm and 7mm wetsuits, provide you with an additional 2mm thickness.
Zips – There is always strong argument to whether metal or plastic zips are best. Metal zips are obviously the strongest but are prone to corrosion due to water exposure, while plastic zips are less robust but are impervious to corrosion. Our best advice is always go for a well known zip such as YKK. Ankle zips on thicker suits do make getting into the suit much easier and should be considered.
Kidney and Spine Pads – Some suits offer additional material over the kidneys and down the spine as these are key heat loss areas and when wearing a cylinder, they can significantly increase your comfort. This feature is normally only seen on thicker suits.
Zip Baffle – This is a layer of material that sits behind the zip to stop water flowing through the zip but also to increase the comfort of the suit by not having the zip against your skin.
Titanium Lining – A recently new addition to the neoprene of modern wetsuits in a titanium covering. To see this simply stretch your suit inside out and you will see an almost metallic reflection on the material. This helps stop heat lose by bouncing it back towards your body. Not only does this help reduce heat loss, it also reheats the water within the suit as the heat is reflected creating a double positive effect.
Internal bibs - Stop the initial flush of cold water down your back when you jump in for that first dive! and on the Fourth Element 3mm, 5mm and 7mm wetsuits, provide you with an additional 2mm thickness.
Zips – There is always strong argument to whether metal or plastic zips are best. Metal zips are obviously the strongest but are prone to corrosion due to water exposure, while plastic zips are less robust but are impervious to corrosion. Our best advice is always go for a well known zip such as YKK. Ankle zips on thicker suits do make getting into the suit much easier and should be considered.
Kidney and Spine Pads – Some suits offer additional material over the kidneys and down the spine as these are key heat loss areas and when wearing a cylinder, they can significantly increase your comfort. This feature is normally only seen on thicker suits.
Zip Baffle – This is a layer of material that sits behind the zip to stop water flowing through the zip but also to increase the comfort of the suit by not having the zip against your skin.
Titanium Lining – A recently new addition to the neoprene of modern wetsuits in a titanium covering. To see this simply stretch your suit inside out and you will see an almost metallic reflection on the material. This helps stop heat lose by bouncing it back towards your body. Not only does this help reduce heat loss, it also reheats the water within the suit as the heat is reflected creating a double positive effect.
Increasing Your Wetsuits Warmth
As a wetsuit ages, the bubbles in the neoprene become smaller (crushed to be accurate) and this in turn means the warmth offered by the suit is reduced.
There is no way of repairing this damage and a new suit should be considered. If however you have purchased a suit that is not thick enough or your existing suit has become crushed you can increase the warmth potential by layering.
Simply wear a “Rash Vest” which is a thin Lycra like tight fitting T-shirt, this will allow water to be trapped more efficiently which in turn improves your warmth. If you think you need more warmth, wear something from the Fourth Element Thermocline Range which is equivalent to a 2mm wetsuit- And its OceanPositive to!
There is no way of repairing this damage and a new suit should be considered. If however you have purchased a suit that is not thick enough or your existing suit has become crushed you can increase the warmth potential by layering.
Simply wear a “Rash Vest” which is a thin Lycra like tight fitting T-shirt, this will allow water to be trapped more efficiently which in turn improves your warmth. If you think you need more warmth, wear something from the Fourth Element Thermocline Range which is equivalent to a 2mm wetsuit- And its OceanPositive to!
I am Allergic to Neoprene
The Fourth Element Thermocline Range is just for you. It can be used in warm water as it is equivalent to a 2mm wetsuit and as no buoyancy characteristics (so you do not need to counter with weight) and if you need more warmth then you can use it as your baselayer.
We are always happy to discuss your requirements and guide you through the process to finding your perfect Wetsuit after all, the number of years of diving, we have been through a number of suits and we can tell you what we liked, did not like and just our general experiences and expertise.
How do I care for my Wetsuit?
Do you have any in stock?
Have a look at our online store for some of the wetsuits we have in stock... not all stock is loaded onto our store yet, so feel free to pop in and have a browse and chat
Version 2 June 2020
Version 1 May 2018
Version 1 May 2018