Wet Suits

Scuba divers wearing wet suits

A wet suit will not keep you totally dry.  Some water will seep in through the seams, zipper, and bodily extremities; and this water will be trapped in your suit and gradually warmed by your body temperature.  Each type of wet suit seam construction – overlock, flat stitch, and blind stitch – is designed for comfortable use at a different water temperature range.  Blind stitch construction is usually favored by modern wet suit makers.  Blind stitch seams lay flat and are sewn with curved needles so that the stitching does not completely penetrate the neoprene layer.

Wet suit materials have improved in quality over the years, becoming warmer, more flexible, and more durable.  Wet suit thickness is measured in millimeters; the optimal thickness depends on the water temperature, and the thickness in the torso area is often greater than around the arms and shoulders.  Typically, water temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit require a 7 mm diving wet suit or a 5 mm surfing wet suit.  Temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit require a 5 mm diving wet suit or a 3 mm surfing wet suit.  Thicker wet suits generally keep their wearers warmer in cold water, but they tend to be less flexible and restrict their wearers' freedom of movement.  Real cold water?  Add booties.  Arctic air?  Get gloves and a hood.

The three primary types of wet suits are spring suits, full suits, and long johns.  A spring suit, or shortie, covers its wearer's torso and thighs.  It may have either short or long sleeves for its wearer's arms.  A full suit, or steamer, covers its wearer's torso, legs, and arms, while a long john wet suit covers only its wearer's torso and legs.  In California, when the water is cold and the air is warm, a long john wet suit is often the most comfortable choice.  Wet suit booties, gloves, and hoods are sometimes worn to provide extra warmth and protection from the elements.

Another popular wet suit shape is the vest, which can be layered over a full suit for additional thermal protection.  In Florida or Hawaii, a simple wet suit vest may suffice to keep you warm in the water.

Shop for Wet Suits (Featured Listings)

• Becker Surfboards - Wet Suits
  
  BeckerSurf caters to all your surfing gear and surfwear needs in one easy stop.  Find a good selection of O'Neill wet suits, including spring suits, rash guards, and women's wet suits.
  www.BeckerSurf.com
• Overtons > Wet Suits
  
  This watersports equipment dealer offers a broad selection of men's wet suits, women's wet suits, and junior wet suits.
  www.Overtons.com

Wet Suit Manufacturers

• O'Neill
  
  Wet suits, dry suits, rash guards, booties, hoods, gloves, and accessories.
  www.ONeill.com
• Body Glove
  
  Full suits, spring suits, and accessories for surfing, diving, and general watersports.
  www.BodyGlove.com
• Henderson USA
  
  Innovative designer of wet suits, boots, gloves, and hoods for scuba divers.
  www.HendersonUSA.com
• Xcel Wet Suits
  
  Offers a wide range of full suits and spring suits for surfers, as well as wet suits for divers.
  www.XcelWetsuits.com
• NRS
  
  Neoprene wet suits for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and sea kayaking.
  www.NRSWeb.com
• Bare Wet Suits
  
  Full and shorty wet suits, dry suits, and accessories for cold water and warm water diving.
  www.BareSports.com
• Exceed Wet Suits
  
  This Florida firm features wet suits and rash guards for surfing, diving, and wakeboarding.
  www.ExceedWetsuits.com
• Jet Pilot
  
  Offers a line of surfing wet suits, vests, Lycra shirts, and accessories.
  www.JetPilot.com
• Rip Curl International
  
  Manufacturer of wet suits, surf wear, board shorts, surfboards, wakeboards, and accessories.
  www.RipCurl.com
• Quintana Roo
  
  Offers a complete line of wet suits and equipment for triathletes.
  www.QuintanaRooTri.com

Guide to Surfing Wet Suits and Diving Wet Suits