HOW TO BUY A WETSUIT
There are many types of wet suits, but suits designed for surfing are also perfect for swimming and many other water sports. They offer freedom of movement and span a range of water temperatures. Suits designed for scuba diving are vastly different, designed to keep the wearer’s body temperature regulated at depth (materials are much less flexible).
Understand the relationship between suit thickness, designated in millimeters, and body warmth. A 4/3 full suit is 4mm thick in the body and 3mm thick in the arms and legs, and is the best choice for water that's 50 to 60 degrees F. For even colder water, get a 5mm hooded suit. 3/2 fullsuits are ideal for water temps in the low to mid-60s; 1mm and 2mm suits are great for those who spend long periods of time in high 60 degree water.
Decide what kind of wetsuit you need. A suit with cut-off arms and legs is called a shorty and is good whenever maximum freedom of movement is needed. A full suit extends to your wrists and ankles, and is necessary for colder water. A farmer john has full legs and no arms. It's favored by paddlers and is the bottom layer for scuba divers.
Inspect the seams. The better the construction, the warmer the suit. In a high-quality seam, the edges of the material meet flush, are glued and sewn into place, and are then covered by a strip of cloth. Cheaper seams can leave a small hump and exposed stitching. Also make sure the neck is smooth-seamed to avoid chafing.
Try on different brands. You want a snug fit that doesn't constrict your movement or breathing. All suits enlarge slightly with use. Avoid suits that bag around your waist or ankles (thus trapping water).
Set your budget according to how often you'll use your wet suit. Of course, technology and materials affect the price – thicker suits designed for colder temperatures will cost proportionately more than a 3/2 or a summer suit. It is important not to sacrifice quality to save money – these suits are your only protection against hypothermia in water cold enough to affect your core body temperature. Purchase a wetsuit that you’ll be comfortable in for periods of time. The idea is to maximize and ENJOY your time in the water!
Choose a wet suit for children based on the same criteria. Keep in mind that kids often grow out of a wet suit before they wear it out, which makes finding a good used one a smart move. As they grow, kids want to spend more time in the water, which requires buying a better suit.
Don’t forget your extremities – your hands, feet and head! Wearing boots, gloves and a hood will keep you happy and healthy when the air and water temps drop. Be sure to buy what feels good – not to loose and not too tight – so they’ll last for a number of seasons.
Though modern materials have pretty much eliminated the need, you might consider wearing a short- or long-sleeve rashguard to increase your comfort level.
MATERIALS:
UltraSpan or SuperStretch – Most top of the line wetsuits are made out of a really high quality neoprene rubber often called "Super Stretch" or UltraSpan. Some wetsuits are 100% UltraSpan or some are 50% UltraSpan, depending on what wetsuit you choose to buy. This is by far the most flexible material on the market and we highly recommend purchasing a suit made of at least 50% Super Stretch material. When buying a wetsuit you will see many different names for the same material so don't be confused because every wetsuit company has their own variation of the material.
Smoothie – Usually the outer chest & back panels of most wetsuits are made from smoothie neoprene. This is a heavier or tougher type of material that is very good at repelling wind & water. It is also used to protect areas of the wetsuit that are exposed to wear & tear from usage. When looking at the spring & full suits pictured to the left, the shiny chest panel is made from smoothie.
Polypropylene – The inside of a good wetsuit should be lined with a layer of polypropylene to help keep the body warm and dry. The polypro is also good at repelling water and working as insulation to trap the body’s heat. In most top of the line wetsuits, the polypro is on the inner chest panel, but recently some companies have been lining the whole inside of the suit in polypropylene. Once again, don't be confused by every company creating there own fancy name for this feature... it's all basically polypro.
SEAMS:
Flat Lock Stitching – When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.
Glued & Blind Stitched – One step up from the flat lock technology, Glued & Blind Stitched wetsuits are truly worth the extra cash. The strength of the seams are reinforced by an industrial waterproof glue that also acts as a sealant, creating a water & air tight wetsuit. This is the way to go as far as warmth and strength, but it will cost you a few bucks more than the flat lock model wetsuits.
Taped Seams – Any top of the line wetsuit these days has Liquid or Fluid taped seams. This wetsuit technology combines a liquid neoprene or fluid tape with a glued and blind stitched seam to produce an indestructible seam for ultimate performance. The taping reinforces the strength of the seams, helping prevent any tears or leaks in your wetsuit. You can't go wrong with a suit that uses this technology and like anything else don't be confused by wetsuit companies using special names for their taped seams......it's all basically the same liquid tape.
ENTRY SYSTEMS:
Full Back Zip – When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.
3/4 Back Zip – When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.
Chest or Front Entry – When buying an entry level wetsuit, chances are the seams are all done with flat lock stitching. This is a very basic level stitch pattern that is strong and has been used since the first wetsuit were made. The pros are that the stitching is bulletproof and lasts for a long time, the cons are that there is nothing keeping air or water from seeping through the seams. Over all a great option for your first suit or a basic wetsuit that will get the job done.