The features of wetsuit.It is mainly used for water sports. Wetsuit is an insulation and made of neoprene .It offers some warmth as protection against water. Jack O'Neill is considered as a pioneer in inventing wetsuits for the past 50 years. Of course there has been a tremendous improvement in the existing wetsuits .
Types of wetsuits
There is a gamut of wetsuits available in the market. They are categorized by the thickness of the neoprene and the length how much does it cover your body.
Rash guard- It looks like a tea shirt protecting against the sun. But it is not made of neoprene,hence it can not be called as wet suit.
Wetsuit top-It is surely made of neoprene and looks like a rash guard. This is helpful for summer surf.
Shorty wetsuit- This is also meant for summer. Because it has short legs and arms it is called shorty.
Spring wetsuit- Being little thicker than shorty, it has long arms and short legs. You get a wide range in this variety.
Full suits-These cover the full body and available in different thickness level. 3/2, 4/3, 5/4/3 these no's could be seen on them like this.
The numbers mean.......
You see numbers written on wetsuits like 3/2, 4/3 etc. These numbers indicate the thickness of the neoprene sheets .The thicker the warmer is the principle it works on. If you are surfing in the cold water,then you need to have wetsuit boots, wetsuit gloves and wetsuit hood.
The working style of wetsuit.
Wet suit helps in holding the water between your body and the neoprene. This water maintains your body temperature perfectly. Wetsuit also acts as an insulation against the cold water. Neoprene used in wetsuits has so many bubbles acting as great insulators. Obviously better neoprene has more bubbles resulting in to keeping the body warmer. The thicker neoprene means more insulation warmer wetsuit.
Have a glance on all the catalog of wetsuits. Study carefully after all it is your body which needs warmth.
The features of a good wetsuit.You need to know the following points very clearly before buying:
-how thick is the neoprene, and how warm it is and how stretchy?
-How are the seams? Are they waterproof ?
-any additional insulation is added inside the wetsuit?
These are the important points you must keep in mind. No one would like to have water around his body and feel cold. Firstly you must fit into the wetsuit properly.
Zipper of wetsuit
These zippers of wet suits cannot be water tight. A thin neoprene membrane under the zipper is called bat wing. Zipper prevents water around it.
Wetsuit stitches
From worst to best:
Over lock stitch
Flat lock stitch
Blind stitch (needle never penetrates the neoprene - no holes)
Liquid taped stitches - these are the best, usually you begin with blidstitch and then seal it with liquid rubber This makes the seams 100% waterproof.
Extra functionality of wetsuits.
A lined neoprene is long lasting..Neoprene without lining is smoother and it better repels water and wind. Windsurfers use it a lot. Single lined neoprene also has names like mesh skin, smooth skin etc.
Titanium - if wetsuit is lined with titanium (between neoprene and nylon lining) it will reflect your body heat back into the wetsuit.
additional insulating fabric, fibers - today's new clothes can be made out of hollow fibres that have great insulation capabilities. Some winter neoprenes have this on the inside. This is called aero core, fire skin etc.
