Not all wetsuits are designed to withstand the same type of movement. Some are built for heavy use of the knees and shoulders while others are more restrictive in the joint areas. The panels that a wetsuit is made from are stitched and glued together, creating more flexibility. Panels that come together in high motion areas can cause additional chafing, which can be very uncomfortable.
Wetsuits are not dry suits. They are not there to keep all the water out and give you a bone dry session. In fact, the water that enters your wetsuit will warm up and then act as a secondary insulator against the cold. Whether you need a thick suit, a short suit, a skin suit, or a diving suit, you will probably want to buy more than just one suit to get you through all of your temperature related issues.
Each water sport has its own requirements and therefore will not be appropriate for all suits. While surfing suits can often be interchangeable with windsurfing and kiteboarding, the different movements required for each sport will require different flexibility for each activity. It is vital that you choose the appropriate suit for the sport as well as for your body type and skill level.
Some northern climates will require a shorty even in the middle of summer. Some southern regions will require only a short or a “John” or “Jane” in the middle of winter. Each suit comes with its own weight to help you determine which suit will keep you the most comfortable the longest.
Full suits are very popular, as they come in various weights to help you choose the right one for you. It provides your entire body with coverage and can be used with hoods. If you need extra protection you can use gloves and booties to add to the set up. The thicker, or heavier, the wetsuit is the more protection from cold you will receive.
On the other hand, you might have days when all you really need is warmth for your core. A shorty or spring suit can offer you the valuable protection necessary and offer you freedom of the arms and legs. These do come with various options, so shop scrupulously. Sometimes a shorty will offer you a three quarter sleeve, but many sports have movements that can not tolerate this feeling of constriction.
A “John” or a “Jane” is a suit that offers full leg coverage and core protection while it also allows for total arm movement. It’s sleeveless. A light suit like this can be beneficial not just when you need a little bit of lower body warmth, but can come in handy when stinging nettles take over the water.
Wetsuits come in different weights, with each weight providing more protection. A skinsuit, which isn’t really a wetsuit, is the lightest form you can buy. It’s not meant for heavy duty protection. The weight of a wetsuit is measured in millimeters. Thus, a 3 to 5 mm suit may be good for early fall protection in temperate climates but isn’t likely to provide ample protection for winter conditions. Buying the right suit is imperative. Cold water and cold air can cause hypothermia, which can lead to death in a short period of time. Playing in the water in cold temperatures with an ill fitted or ill protective suit can end up being dangerous.
Clement owns the wetsuits information site where you can learn everything you need to know about wetsuits. Just check this wetsuits guide for instance.
