Diving Wetsuits - How Do They Keep You Warm

A wet suit is a wet suit is a wet suit. So how do you differentiate between them? Does it really matter if you decide to go scuba diving or windsurfing or snorkeling? How different are the wet suits for these applications from each other? Does it really matter if you get a wet suit for scuba diving and use it for water skiing instead? It does and it doesn't.

Two basic things you need to look for when you a buying a wetsuit are fit and warmth. The wetsuit must fit you just right, if it is too big it can be almost useless. And you have to get the right wetsuit thickness for the water temperature. So it is very important where the wetsuit will be used. Will you go scuba diving in Tahiti, snorkeling in the Seychelles or deep sea diving around Northern Europe?

The main thing that makes wetsuits work and that keeps us warm is neoprene. Wetsuits are made out of rubbery material called neoprene that contains lots and lots of tinny little bubbles. These bubbles give the neoprene superb insulation capabilities. When you enter the water in your wetsuit another thing happens - a thin layer of water comes between you and your wetsuit and is heated by your body heat. So you are safe in a warm environment.

Water temperatures keep changing. The change with the seasons, the change with the location... So you have to know when and where are you going to use your wetsuit to choose the right one. Wetsuits are also a bit different if you are a man or a woman.

The difference between men and women wetsuits is in shape. But this is not what we are talking about here. Women should get thicker and warmer wetsuits because womens body has more surface area than mans and therefore cools down faster. And generally speaking it is always better to have a wetsuit that is warmer since if you are too warm you can let some cold water in but if you are cold you will soon have to leave the water.

The other thing to keep in mind is that a two-piece wet suit is likely to keep you warmer than a one-piece wet suit. The two-piece wet suit has the benefit of double insulation around the groin and chest areas. However, double the insulation also leads to greater restriction in movement and greater buoyancy, which would require you to carry more lead, than you would have to in a one-piece suit of similar thickness.

With water temperature and wetsuit thickness covered you need to worry about the fit. Only the right fit will let you use your wetsuits insulation capabilities to the max.