Types of Wetsuits

Wetsuits are worn by water sports participants to keep the body from losing heat when in the water. The purpose of a wetsuit is to trap a layer of water against the skin, which is heated by the body and helps conserves body heat. Because water conducts heat 20 times faster than air, according to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors in their Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving, bodies will lose heat in water 20 times quicker. Wetsuits are traditionally made from neoprene. The appropriate kind of wetsuit depends on the water temperature and what the wetsuit is being used for.

  1. Shorty

    • Shorty wetsuits are designed for use in warmer water, where the body is going to be in the water for a prolonged period of time and therefore needs something more than just swimwear. The body is protected mainly in the torso and waist area with a shorty wetsuit. These wetsuits are popular worldwide in warmer climates for participating in water sports where a full length wetsuit is not necessary. A variation on the shorty wetsuit is a vest made from neoprene that protects the torso only, although some come with hoods attached to prevent heat loss through the head. Shorty wetsuit thickness is normally 3 mm or 5 mm.

    Full Length

    • A full length wetsuit or "steamer" is suitable for activities in cold water or long periods of time in warmer water. The full length wetsuit protects the torso, legs and arms. It also provides physical protection from injury, from marine life for example, when surfing or diving. These wetsuits can come with short sleeves, which is particularly popular with surfers in warm water. Full length wetsuits traditionally come in one and two piece varieties, with the one piece providing better protection against colder water, but harder to don. Many full length wetsuits also come with hoods attached, to prevent heat loss through the head, which accounts for a great deal of the body's heat loss. Full length wetsuit thickness usually varies from 3 mm to 7.5 mm.

    Layered

    • Two or more layers of wetsuit can enhance water trapping and keep the body warmer. For this reason, in recent years layered wetsuits have become more common. A layered suit is commonly seen as a layer worn on the torso, arms and head, with a thicker neoprene over the whole body to enhance warmth. This means that layered wetsuits can be used in much colder water than single layer full length wetsuits, due to the extra layers of insulation they provide.