What Is A Wetsuit?
Have you caught yourself wondering, “What is a wetsuit?”
Water sports enthusiasts wear wetsuits to keep their bodies warm in cold water.
The suits are usually made of neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber that creates insulation by trapping water between the suit and the person’s skin.
Wetsuits were first made in the 1930s.
While wetsuits have been around for centuries, they did not gain widespread popularity until the 1950s, when surfing became a popular sport. Today, millions of people around the world use wetsuits.
Wetsuits are not just for divers and surfers anymore. They can be used for any water activity, such as swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing.
There is a wide range of wetsuit thicknesses to choose from, which allows you to select one based on the climate and type of water activity:
Suit thickness varies depending on the water temperature and the activity you’ll be doing. Thinner suits (2mm) are good for warm waters, like surfing. Thicker suits (up to 7mm) are better for colder waters and activities that require more body coverage, like scuba diving. Some suits even have a hood to keep your head and neck warm.
Remember that wetsuits come in a bunch of different styles, designs, and materials.
The most common type of wetsuit is the “full suit,” which covers the entire body and is typically worn in colder temperatures.
There are also wetsuits available that only cover the torso, upper arms, and thighs. These are popular for warm water diving.
The “Farmer John” wetsuit covers the torso and legs, but leaves the arms exposed.
Why do you think kayakers and paddle boarders prefer this style?
This means that you won’t be restricted in your arm movement while paddling, making it an easier process overall.
The suit’s main purpose is to keep you warm in cold water, but it also provides some protection from the sun’s UV rays, from creatures in the sea, and from contact with sharp surfaces.
Although it won’t make you feel invincible, it’s better than not having any armor at all.
Wetsuits made of neoprene material can help a person float more easily because neoprene is naturally buoyant.
A wet suit is ideal when you are okay with getting wet and the temperature is moderate. However, you should be able to switch to a dry suit for periods when the water is too cold.
5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Something Under A Wetsuit
If you’re thinking about buying new clothes to wear when you go to the water, you might want to consider some good reasons why it would be worth your money.
Warmth
The water will always pull heat from your body, no matter what the temperature is on the surface.
Now, when you get into the water wearing a wetsuit, the wetsuit will help keep you warm by creating an insulating layer.
it actually helps keep you warm Remember that wetsuits don’t keep you dry, they let a good amount of water in and it stays there. That has a purpose, it actually helps keep you warm.
Water that is close to your body gets warmed up by your body and acts as an insulator.
The clothes you wear won’t actually have that much of an impact on how warm you’ll be because wet suits are designed to get wet.
More layers of clothing generally means more insulation, which will be appreciated when the temperature drops.
Comfort
The next thing everybody worries about is comfort.
After wearing a full-body suit made of neoprene for a while, you may start to feel uncomfortable.
Some people insist on not wearing anything under their wetsuits and this causes problems.
Chafing
If you wear a wetsuit for too long, your skin will start to hurt. It will stick to the wetsuit and rub against it, and it will keep doing this until you take the wetsuit off. In other words, you will be uncomfortable and unhappy after a couple of hours.
You won’t get used to the friction of a wetsuit. The only way to prevent chafing is to put another layer between your skin and the wetsuit.
Temperature Regulation
if it gets too hot, you can always take a layer off. If you want to stay well-insulated and comfortable, add another layer under your suit. Layering also allows you to adjust if it gets too hot – you can just take a layer off.
You can adjust what you’re wearing according to the weather by adding or removing layers. When you’re frequently in and out of the water, it’s important to be able to adapt to changing conditions for both comfort and safety.
Protection
This part is as self-explanatory as it sounds:
While a wetsuit will protect you to some degree while you’re in the water, it’s not enough to keep you completely safe from your surroundings and the elements.
Adding more layers of clothing creates additional barriers between your skin and the environment.
In other words, it is better to wear something than nothing at all. It is better to be protected than not.
Privacy & Decency
Then you might be painfully reminded of the fact that neoprene doesn’t exactly breathe. If you don’t wear underwear under your wetsuit, you may be very uncomfortable when you take it off.
This is because neoprene does not allow air to circulate well.
buy a pair of high-waisted jeans. There is a simple solution to the problem of not wanting to wear anything underneath: buy a pair of high-waisted jeans.
Find a private spot where you can get changed.
Even though it may sound simple, it’s not always easy to do. When participating in water sports, people often have to change in relatively public places, like beaches. The problem is that a wetsuit can’t be put on and taken off while also hiding with a towel.
There is a risk that you will accidentally show your underwear to someone who is not expecting it.
Throw on some clothing under your wetsuit to make things more convenient.
Hygiene
A majority of people prefer to own a wetsuit that they know is their own as opposed to renting one when they arrive at the put-in spot.
Where am I going with this?
A lot of people who rent out wetsuits probably don’t wear anything under them, and many of them probably don’t wait to get out of the water when they need to go to the bathroom.
Nothing about this sounds particularly hygienic, huh?
You may want to conceal some of your more intimate body parts; that’s all I’m saying.
When Should You Wear a Wetsuit?
Wetsuits are worn for many different aquatic sports, such as diving, snorkeling, wild swimming, and surfing. A wetsuit helps keep you warm by trapping heat close to your body. T
his is important because you can lose heat up to 25 times faster when you are in the water. Some people underestimate how cold you can get in the water, so it is always a good idea to wear a wetsuit, even in tropical waters.
Are Wetsuits Waterproof?
A wetsuit is not waterproof. Anything worn under a wetsuit will get wet. Some thicker suits are known as “semi-dry” suits, but they only keep a thin layer of water inside the suit.
What Should I Wear Under a Wetsuit?
There is no wrong answer to what you should wear underneath your wetsuit, it is entirely up to you. I would however recommend wearing a swimsuit as a base. If you know you will be changing in front of other people, you need to be practical about it.
I have been on boats where people have had to change out of their wetsuits with nothing underneath and it can be embarrassing.
Wetsuits can also potentially chafe, so it is practical to wear some kind of undergarment. In tropical countries, it is normal to see people wearing their everyday swimwear under a wetsuit.
Should I Wear a Rash Guard Under My Wetsuit?
You may want to buy a rash guard to wear under your wetsuit. The mixture of sand, salt, and water can make wetsuits irritating to the skin. In areas where the water is warm, people often wear rash guards to protect against stingers and UV rays.
A rash guard can :
- Help ease skin irritation and chafing
- Keep you a little bit warmer by providing an extra layer
- Make it easier to put the wetsuit on / take it off
- Protect against the sun during breaks ie: between dives
- Protect against scrapes or stingers
How Do Wetsuits Work?
Wetsuits are made of several layers of neoprene and vary in thickness. The thickness of wetsuits is typically measured in millimeters. For example, a 3mm wetsuit is generally worn in tropical waters and is thin, providing only a little bit of insulation.
The thickest wetsuits are 7mm and are generally used in temperatures from 15 to 20 C, although everyone is different! A wetsuit traps a layer of water between your skin and the material, which is then heated by your body and keeps you warmer for longer.
The thicker the wetsuit, the more insulation it provides.
How Should a Wetsuit Fit?
The wetsuit must fit snugly in order to work effectively– loose fitting wetsuits will allow water to constantly flush through, defeating the purpose of wearing one.
A good way to test if the wetsuit is too loose is to grab a handful of material at the small of your back while wearing the wetsuit– if you can pick up a good handful, the wetsuit is too big.
Also, make sure that the neck and wrist seals are not gaping and loose, as this will also hinder the insulating properties of the wetsuit. The wetsuit should not be too easy to get on– if it is, then it is too big.
What Brand of Wetsuit Should I Buy?
The type of wetsuit you use depends on the activity. If you are just swimming, then any wetsuit will work. However, if you are surfing, you will need a wetsuit made specifically for surfing from brands like Ripcurl or Billabong.
For Scuba Diving, you must use a wetsuit that is designed for this activity as you will be going to depth and putting more strain on the suit with the changes in pressure. All the major Scuba Brands sell wetsuits and it mostly comes down to personal preference.
I have a 3mm Scubapro wetsuit which works great in warm waters and I love the pink accents. I have also used a 7mm Mares Flexa semi Dry in cold waters and liked it.
Is It Ok to Pee in a Wetsuit?
This topic is divisive among divers. Some wet suit wearers have a famous saying: “There are two types of divers: those who pee in their wet suits, and liars.” If the wet suit is your own, you can do what you like with it.
But if you’ve rented it from a store, it’s best to avoid peeing in it. Also, keep in mind that urine will be trapped between you and the wet suit if you do go ahead and pee inside it. Not only is this unpleasant, it’s also bad for the wet suit.
If you do end up peeing in your wet suit, you can try to flush it out a little before you get out of the water. You can do this by unzipping it in the water or stretching open the neck, wrist, and ankle seals to let fresh water in.
Be sure to wash the suit thoroughly when you clean your equipment.
