Wetsuit Knowledge Base
How do wetsuits work?
Wetsuit keep you warm by catching a thin layer of water between your skin and the neoprene. Your body heats up this water and keeps you warm. It’s important to get a wetsuit that fits properly, otherwise cold water will constantly flush the warm water out. The neoprene in the wetsuit also acts as insulation against environment, so the thicker the neoprene (and wetsuit) the better the insulation will be. The neoprene contains loads of small air bubbles that provide the insulation.
What should I consider when buying a wetsuit?
Flexibility, Quality & Stretch
The quality of the neoprene – each brand tends to have a couple of different grades of neoprene that they use to provide a range of wetsuits to suit all needs and budgets. O’Neill wetsuits have different grades of flexibility in their suits, from basic stretch to extreme flexibility. Billabong wetsuits offer Japanese neoprene, which favours an air light neoprene construction. Rip Curl have their own version which is Elastomax or E3. The main thing to consider here is the percentage of stretch with each manufacturer’s unique neoprene, rather than the fancy name they choose to give it! The stretch if the neoprene is important - more flexible wetsuit = less strain on your muscles!
The Seams
The seams on your suit are a bit factor. There are various types of seam and each type has its advantages and disadvantages in different water and weather conditions. The different types of wetsuit seam are:
Overlock stitch – These are uncomfortable and pretty much a thing of the past. They are sometimes still found on cheap ‘tourist’ or supermarket wetsuits.
Flatlock stitch - More comfortable and very flexible, but leaks! The flatlock stitch looks like a miniature railroad and can easily be distinguished from its zig-zag close stitched seams. This type of seam allows for water to move in and out of the seam and keeping the body at an average temperature. The flat-lock seam is perfect for those summer months in the UK or for going abroad to a warm water climate.
Glued & Blindstitched (GBS) - Used in warm wetsuits. It's called ‘blind’ because needle never penetrates the neoprene completely, so there are no holes. The ‘GBS’ seam glues the neoprene together and then applies a stitch over the top to lock in the neoprene. This offers greater warmth as it traps the water in the suit, which warms against the core body temperature. With this in mind the GBS style wetsuit is better suited for cool to cold-water temperatures. Glued and blindstitched wetsuits are often more expensive than flatlock stitch suits.
Liquid Taped Seams / Fluid Seam Weld - A few names exist for this type of seam. On an ‘FSW’ seam the neoprene is glued together and then a rubber strip (fluid seam weld) is applied over the top. The advantage of this is that the wetsuit will be more flexible as when the suit is stretched the seam will stretch with it. The second advantage to this is that it makes the suit airtight. You can test this by blowing into the arm of an FSW suit – you’ll find it blows up like a balloon and will not release the air, confirming the suit is airtight, which means water cannot pass between the seams at all!
A single (or 1x) FSW will have the rubber strip applied to one side of the seam, while a double (or 2x) fluid seam weld with have the rubber strip applied to both sides of the seam.
Durability
The durability of the suit is often determined by whether or not a surfer looks after their suit. With proper wetsuit maintenance your suit will last you a very long time, however if mistreated your wetsuit may fall apart due to carelessness. If you would like some pointers on how to look after your suit then please look at our wetsuit care guide.
Fewer Panels / Less Stitching
You’ll find in higher end suits like the O’Neill Psychofreak or Rip Curl F-Bomb, they promote seamless areas and less panels. These 2 features go hand in hand, as if the wetsuit is made out of fewer neoprene panels, it will need less seams to hold it together. It makes sense that the less seams in the suit the better, as you are allowing greater stretch from just the neoprene (without restriction from the seam). It also means less irritation to the skin, as some surfers can find the seams on suits rub against their skin.
The Zip
The zipper is another area that can let cold water through, so a good zipper that blocks out water will keep you warmer. Zippers are not watertight! To solve that winter wetsuits have shorter zippers and special size and shape of the teeth. Or you can go for a neck entry / chest zip suit. A hard wearing zipper is another good feature as it will help keep your suit in use for longer.
What is the difference between a chest zip and back zip wetsuit?
In short, the difference is how you get into the wetsuit. A back zip suit is the more traditional entry system, with a long zipper down the back of the suit. This zipper has a cord attached so you are able to fasten / unfasten yourself when in the wetsuit. The advantage of this type of entry system is they are easier to get into. If you consider a wetsuit is intended to be skin tight, they are not always the easiest to get in and out of. If you find this a struggle, a back zip wetsuit would be your best choice. The down side to a back zip is that water can get through the seams, and once in the suit some surfers find the zip down your back can restrict their movement slightly, and prefer the comfort of a chest zip suit.
The chest zip wetsuit option has, as you’d expect, a zipper on the chest area allowing you to get in and out of the wetsuit. When unzipped you climb in through the neck area of the suit. This can be slightly trickier to get into than a back zip suit, but much easier these days due to advances in technology and greater flex in neoprene. Often it just takes a little getting used to and the advantages of a chest zip suit are major. There’s no flushing of water through the zip on your back (think freezing cold winter sea water flushing in your suit!) and without a plastic zip running down your back it can be much more comfortable to wear.
Fireskin / FireCore Insulated Panels
This means that your wetsuit is lined inside with some sort of fabric that additionally keeps you warm. This fabric is usually made out of hollow fibers which wick away moisture from the skin and keep you warmer. In high end wetsuits this is usually added to areas such as the chest and back panels to keep your vital organs protected.
A ‘Batwing’ or ‘Barrier’ System
The ‘batwing’ or ‘barrier’ system on a wetsuit has been developed to combat the problem of cold water flushes when wearing back zip wetsuits. The different names for this system come from the different wetsuit brands. O’Neill call this a ‘Barrier 1’ or ‘Barrier 2’ system, while Rip Curl refer to it as the ‘batwing’. Both essentially mean the same thing – an area of neoprene material underneath the back zip of the wetsuit, that provides an extra barrier between your body and any water that might get through the seams.
There are 2 types of ‘barrier’ or ‘batwing’ system. One is a simple patch of neoprene under the zipper that finishes at the top of your neck. The other type is a larger patch of neoprene with a hole in it – you pull this over your head and the barrier is held up like a collar around your neck.
Reinforced Knees
Pretty much all wetsuits come with reinforced knees of some type, which increase the longevity of your suit
What are the different types of wetsuit?
The Shorty Wetsuit
The shortie (or as it’s commonly spelt shorty) wetsuit is an ideal for surfing and watersports in the summer months. The shorty wetsuit will have short length arms and legs on the suit, allowing for extra movement and flexibility while still providing extra warmth where needed. You will also find ‘short john’ wetsuits, which have short legs, and are completely sleeveless – ideal for sports such as rowing where you need full flex to move your arms.
There are many makes of the shorty wetsuit, from big name brands like O’Neill, Billabong, Rip Curl and C-Skins. Most of these manufacturers have been in the business for many years and provide extensive warranties with their suits. The major difference between the suits that you’ll find here and the suits that you are likely to find in, say a large supermarket, is the quality of the suit. Brands like O’Neill and Billabong use extremely flexible neoprene which offers greater movement in the suit, coupled with the latest technology which they are always advancing, not to mention a greater life span. A good quality shorty wetsuit, that is properly looked after (see aftercare for advice) can last you many years.
What are shorty wetsuits made from?
The majority of wetsuits are made from foamed neoprene, designed to provide thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.
Most shorty wetsuits will be around 1-1.5mm in thickness around the leg / arm / shoulder panels, for flexibility and around 2mm in thickness in the torso/chest panel area.
Usually the chest panel on the shorty wetsuit will look like shiny rubber. This is known as ‘single lined neoprene’. Single lined neoprene creates a greater barrier against wind, so it is ideal around the torso area where you would need the extra warmth, protecting your vital organs.
Through the arms and legs, the wetsuit is usually made of double lined neoprene, which is surrounded on both sides by a layer of nylon, which helps protect the neoprene from damage from sharp objects. The nylon layer also prevents the neoprene from sticking to your skin.
What type of seams do shorty wetsuits have?
The seams of the wetsuit vary depending on the manufacture of the wetsuit. Most shorties however, are constructed of flatlock stitched seams’. The flatlock stitch looks like a miniature railroad and can easily be distinguished from its zig-zag close stitched seams. This type of seam allows for water to move in and out of the seam and keeping the body at an average temperature. The flat-lock seam is perfect for those summer months in the UK or for going abroad to a warm water climate.
Any advice for sizing on shorty wetsuits?
In terms of size guidance for the shorty, we recommend first looking at your chest and waist measurements first to ensure the perfect fit around your torso area. As the shorty suit is not a full arm / leg fit, this does allow a little flexibility between sizes. That said however, a good fit all round is still very important - if there is a lot of room on the leg or arm too much water may enter the suit and lower the suits overall performance.
You’ll find a size guide attached to all our shorty wetsuits on the product page – just click the ‘size guide’ tab. If you are in any doubt at all, please do give us a call on 01273 420142, or email info@boardriders.co.uk
When should I use a shorty wetsuit?
Shorty wetsuits are intended for use in warm summer months. Depending on how much you feel the cold, we’d say June to August in UK waters. You should use a shorty wetsuit in water temperatures above 70oF. If you find you get a bit too cold in your boardshorts in the summer, the shorty wetsuit is a great option.
Summer Wetsuits
By this term we refer to full length wetsuits that are of a thickness suitable to be worn over the warmer months of the year.
The summer full-length wetsuit is commonly referred to as the 3/2 mm or three two. There are many variations of this term however the most common are 3/2 3/2mm 302 or three two. Most manufactures of wetsuits like O’Neill, Billabong and Ripcurl use the term 3/2 for their summer suits.
What does ‘3/2’ mean in wetsuits?
The ‘3’ refers to the millimetre thickness of neoprene found around the core or torso of the body. The ‘2’ refers to the millimetre thickness neoprene found on the arms and legs of the wetsuit.
If you’re wondering why there is a difference, this is mainly because thinner neoprene allows for greater movement and flexibility. It makes sense therefore that you would want greater flex in your arms and legs, while keeping your torso area (and therefore vital organs) warmer.
What are summer wetsuits made from?
The majority of wetsuits are made from foamed neoprene, designed to provide thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.
Most summer wetsuits will be around 2mm in thickness around the leg / arm / shoulder panels, for flexibility and around 3mm in thickness in the torso/chest panel area.
Usually the chest panel on the wetsuit will look like shiny rubber. This is known as ‘single lined neoprene’. Single lined neoprene creates a greater barrier against wind, so it is ideal around the torso area where you would need the extra warmth, protecting your vital organs.
Through the arms and legs, the wetsuit is usually made of double lined neoprene, which is surrounded on both sides by a layer of nylon, which helps protect the neoprene from damage from sharp objects. The nylon layer also prevents the neoprene from sticking to your skin.
What type of stitching do summer ‘3/2’ wetsuits have?
The stitching found on summer 3/2mm wetsuits can vary. Some manufacturers use ‘flatlock’ stitching and others use ‘glued and blindstitching ‘(GBS), however the majority of brands like O’Neill, Billabong, Rip Curl and C- Skins will a mixture use both.
The flatlock stitch looks like a miniature railroad and can easily be distinguished from its zig-zag close stitched seams. This type of seam allows for water to move in and out of the seam and keeping the body at an average temperature. The flat-lock stitched wetsuit is usually cheaper and is ideal for warm water to cool water temperatures.
The ‘GBS’ seam glues the neoprene together and then applies a stitch over the top to lock in the neoprene. This offers greater warmth as it traps the water in the suit, which warms against the core body temperature. With this in mind the GBS style wetsuit is better suited for cool to cold-water temperatures. Glued and blindstitched wetsuits are often more expensive then the flat-lock summer suit.
When should I use a summer 3/2 wetsuit?
A summer 3/2 wetsuit should last you around 6 months of the year – perhaps a little more / less depending on how much you feel the cold! As a guide we’d say a summer wetsuit is ideal for surfing in the UK May through to September.
Winter Wetsuits
The winter wetsuit is a must for any keen surfer in UK waters. All winter wetsuits will be within the 5/3mm or 6/4mm range, which refers to the thickness of the neoprene in the wetsuit. Often there are combinations of thickness, like 6/5/4mm or 5/4/3mm etc.
What do numbers like 5/3 and 6/5/4 mean in winter wetsuits?
These numbers refer to the thickness of the neoprene featured on the suit, in millimetres. The highest number such as the ‘5’ in 5/3 will be the millimetre thickness of the neoprene around the torso area (where you need the greatest warmth). A mid number such as the ‘4’ in a 5/4/3mm suit will usually refer to the thickness of neoprene in areas such as the thighs, while the lowest number will generally be the thickness of neoprene in the legs and arms, where you need the greatest flexibility of movement. A suit that is too thick in the arm and leg areas can be exhausting to paddle out and swim in!
What are winter wetsuits made from?
The majority of wetsuits are made from foamed neoprene, designed to provide thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.
Most winter wetsuits will be around 3 or 4mm in thickness around the leg / arm / shoulder panels, for flexibility and around 5mm in thickness in the torso/chest panel area.
Usually the chest panel on the wetsuit will look like shiny rubber. This is known as ‘single lined neoprene’. Single lined neoprene creates a greater barrier against wind, so it is ideal around the torso area where you would need the extra warmth, protecting your vital organs.
Through the arms and legs, the wetsuit is usually made of double lined neoprene, which is surrounded on both sides by a layer of nylon, which helps protect the neoprene from damage from sharp objects. The nylon layer also prevents the neoprene from sticking to your skin.
What type of seams and stitching do winter wetsuits have?
All winter wetsuits will offer the ‘Glued and Blindstitched’ (GBS) seam or a ‘Fluid Seam Weld’ (FSW). The ‘GBS’ seam glues the neoprene together and then applies a stitch over the top to lock in the neoprene. This outer stitch can also add to the durability of the suit.
On an ‘FSW’ seam the neoprene is glued together and then a rubber strip (fluid seam weld) is applied over the top. The advantage of this is that the wetsuit will be more flexible as when the suit is stretched the seam will stretch with it. The second advantage to this is that it makes the suit airtight. You can test this by blowing into the arm of an FSW suit – you’ll find it blows up like a balloon and will not release the air, confirming the suit is airtight, which means water cannot pass between the seams at all!
A single (or 1x) FSW will have the rubber strip applied to one side of the seam, while a double (or 2x) fluid seam weld with have the rubber strip applied to both sides of the seam.
When should I use a winter wetsuit?
The water temperature suited for the winter wetsuit ranges from around 8oC to about 12oC. The winter wetsuit is worn for roughly 5 month of the year - from October through to March in the southern areas of England, and worn for longer periods of time in colder Nordic countries and northern Britain. Throughout the years wetsuit technology has advanced so much that people can surf regardless of the seasons.
