Wetsuits - What it is and Why to Have one?

What is a wetsuit and why have one?


Wetsuits are made of a flexible material called neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber that contains thousands of tiny air pockets. Surfing wetsuits are different than the drysuits that divers sometimes wear. Wetsuits keep you warm by trapping a layer of water between the neoprene and your skin, which your body then heats up. Occasionally this water flushes out and is replaced by a new layer of water which your body must re-heat. This sometimes happens when you duckdive under a wave or wipe out.

The bottom line is that wetsuits allow you to stay in the water much, much longer than you would be able to without one. In extreme cold you wouldn’t be able to enter the water at all without one.



Wetsuit Types and Accessories

Springsuits (sometimes called shorties) are great when the water or air is just a little too cool to be comfortable in just a bikini. Some spring suits have long sleeves. This offers an added bit of warmth, especially in the spring or fall when the air is cooler.



Farmer Johns (sometimes called long johns) are suits that have long legs and no sleeves. You might want one of these if the water is cool and the air is hot. But from a fashion standpoint I'd stay away :)



Full Suits (sometimes called “steamers”) are the most common type of suit. These cover the whole body and come in a variety of thicknesses, depending on the temperatures you’re going to brave.



Hoods are essential to keep your noggin warm and protected from the wind. Some suits come with hoods attached. If you’re going to be in cold water a lot, this is the way to go. A suit with a built-in hood allows less water to seep in through the neck. You can also buy a detachable hood , or a vest/hood combo that can be worn under the suit adding a bit more warmth.



Gloves come in all different types. There are mitten type gloves, three finger, and five finger varieties. They also come in all different thicknesses depending on the temperature you’re going to be braving. The fingerless gloves offer more warmth because the fingers are all together, improving heat retention, but sacrifice the ability to use your fingers and grab things.



Boots (or Booties) come in round toe and split toe varieties. The two toe variety has a compartment for your big toe, and the rest of your toes are in the second compartment. This adds a bit more stability and your foot is less likely to slide within the booty. Again, booties come in different thicknesses.



Socks are like low top sneakers made for warm water that offer foot protection in conditions with sharp reef or rock bottoms. It’s no fun to be on the sidelines with a pesky cut in your foot.



Rash guards are stretchy lycra shirts that have multiple uses, making them very handy in the surf world. As their name suggests, rash guards prevent…rashes! Surf wax can be very irritating to your skin. They also protect "the girls." Yes you will hear this term often in our group :) Noone wants her girls to fall out while surfing and trust me they do!



What the heck do those numbers mean?

The suit thickness is usually designated by two numbers which represent the neoprene thickness in millimeters. The first number is the thickest neoprene that is used around your torso and upper legs. The second is a thinner grade neoprene that is used around the arms and lower legs that allows you a bit more flexibility in paddling and riding.



2/1 and 1mm springsuits and neoprene shirts are very thin, offering mild protection from the wind and chilly water. 3/2 full suits are the thinnest you’re likely to find. These are great in the early spring and fall and aren’t too restrictive. 4/3 suits are a step up from that, offering more warmth. You’ll start to feel the effects of the added neoprene weighing you down. 5/4 and 6/4 suits are the thickest, and once you’re into these you’re probably going to be using a hood and booties.



So this should help when you are ready to go purchase one. I went to WRV for my suits. One last note - you want them tight AND they do come in bigger sizes so don't freak out on the number...who cares. The main point is to find something that will keep you warm :)



Happy wetsuit Hunting~

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