What is a wetsuit?
A wetsuit is a garment worn for watersports like surfing, diving, paddleboarding or swimming which provides:
- Thermal insulation
- Abrasion resistance
- Buoyancy
Jack O'Neill claims he invented the first ever wetsuit by stuffing his trunks with flexible plastic foam! Wetsuits have come a long way since then and are now usually made of foamed neoprene.
How do wetsuits work?
The suit traps a thin layer of water between your skin and the
neoprene which your body heats up to keep you warm. It’s important to
get a wetsuit that fits properly otherwise cold water will constantly flush the warm water out. The small air bubbles in the neoprene also act as insulation against
environment, so the thicker the neoprene, the better the
insulation will be.
Shortie / Shorty
Best for: Summer months (June to August) in UK waters or water temperatures above 70oF. Perfect to wear if you get a bit too cold in your swimwear in the summer.
Sports: Surfing & Watersports
Spec: Short length arms and legs to allow for extra movement and flexibility, whilst offering warmth where needed.
Brands: O'Neill / Rip Curl / C Skins.
The major difference between branded suits that you’ll find here and those in a large supermarket, is the quality of the suit. The brands
use extremely flexible neoprene which offers greater movement,
coupled with the latest technology which is always advancing. A good quality shorty wetsuit, that is properly looked after can last you many years and is covered under warranty.
Material used: The majority of wetsuits are made from foamed neoprene, designed to provide thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.
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.
Thickness: 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.
Seams: 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 warmer climates.
Size Guide: We recommend first looking at your chest and waist measurements 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.
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. Click the ‘size guide’ tab
Summer Wetsuit.
Name: Summer Wetsuits refer to full length wetsuits that are of a thickness suitable to be worn
over the warmer months of the year.
Best for: Warmer months. A summer 3/2 wetsuit should last you around 6 months of the year 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.
Spec: The summer full-length wetsuit is commonly
referred to as the 3-2.
Brands: O'Neill, C-Skins, Billabong, Rip Curl and Patagonia.
Material used: The ‘3’ refers to the
millimeter 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. The thinner neoprene allows for greater movement and flexibility and it makes sense to have greater flex in your arms and legs,
while keeping your torso area warmer.
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.
The chest panel on the wetsuit will usually look shiny. This is known as ‘single lined neoprene’. Single lined neoprene creates a greater barrier against wind. Ideal around the torso area where you need the extra warmth.
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.
Seams: Manufacturers use a combination of ‘flatlock’ stitching and ‘glued and blindstitching‘ (GBS). 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. A "GBS" wetsuit is better suited for cool to cold-water
temperatures. Glued and blindstitched wetsuits are usually more expensive than the flat-lock.
Winter Wetsuits.
The winter wetsuit is a must for any keen surfer in UK waters.
Best for: Suitable for water temperatures suited between 8oC to around 12oC. The winter suit is worn between October through to March in southern areas of England and worn for longer periods of time in the colder north and more exposed areas.
Spec: All winter wetsuits will be within the 5/3mm or 6/4mm range which refers to the thickness of the neoprene in the wetsuit. There are often combinations of these thicknesses.
The numbers refer to the thickness of the neoprene in millimetres featured on the wetsuit. The ‘5’ for example is the millimetre thickness of the neoprene around the torso area. A mid number such as the ‘4’ in a 5/4/3mm suit will refer to the thickness of neoprene in areas such as the thighs, while the lowest number will be the thickness of neoprene in the legs and arms where you need the greatest flexibility of movement.
Brands: O'Neill Rip Curl, Patagonia, C-Skins.
Materials: The majority of wetsuits are made from foamed neoprene, designed to provide thermal insulation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.
Thickness: 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. 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, protecting the neoprene from damage. Thenylon layer also prevents the neoprene from sticking to your skin.
Seams: 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.
A single FSW will have the rubber strip applied to one side of the seam, while a double fluid seam weld with have the rubber strip applied to both sides of the seam.
What should I consider when buying a wetsuit?
Flexibility, Quality & Stretch
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. The stretch if the neoprene is important. The more flexible the wetsuit = less strain on your muscles!
The Seams
There are various types of seam and each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The different types of wetsuit seam are:
Flatlock Stitch:
More comfortable and very flexible, but leak. 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 summer months in the UK.
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. The GBS style wetsuit is better suited for cool to cold-water temperatures. Glued and blindstitched wetsuits are usually 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
With proper wetsuit maintenance your suit will last you a very long time. Howeve, if mistreated your wetsuit may fall apart. If you would like some pointers on how to look after your wetsuit then please look at our wetsuit care guide
Fewer Panels / Less Stitching
You’ll find higher end suits like the O’Neill Psychofreak
or Rip Curl F-Bomb promote seamless areas and less panels. It makes sense that the less seams in the suit the better, as you are allowing greater stretch from the neoprene alone (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 so 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.
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 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. Often it just takes a little getting used to and the chest zip suit has the advantage of no water flushing through the zip on your back and without a plastic zip running down your back it can
be much more comfortable to wear.
Fireskin / FireCore / Firewall Insulated Panels
This means that your wetsuit is lined inside with fabric that additionally keeps you warm. The fabric will wick away moisture from the skin and keep you warmer. In high end wetsuits this is usually added to the chest and back panels to keep your vital organs protected.
Looking inside a wetsuit, you'll usually notice if it has a Fireskin / Firecore lining as they tend to be coloured red, orange or bright blue.
Batwing or Barrier System
This is a flap of neoprene that sits under the back zipper of the wetsuit. 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’. They provide 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
Most wetsuits come with reinforced knees of some type, which increase the longevity of your suit.
Swimming Wetsuits.
Swimming from Brighton beach has been popular since Edwardian times but more people are now wanting to swim all year round rather than just on high days and holidays.
We are increasingly seeing interest in swimming wetsuits. With our local sea temperatures getting down to 5°C (41°F) at the coldest time of the year, most of us will want a little more protection - this will be in
the form of a wetsuit and accessories and this is where we come in. We have been selling wetsuits in Brighton and online for over 27 years and pride ourselves in a huge selection and friendly, knowledgeable staff to ensure you get the right suit for you. A wetsuit will keep your core warm and provide a little extra buoyancy If you are a member of a sea swimming club we suggest speaking to your instructor / organiser they will
be able to give you the best advice on what you will need according to local conditions. We have found lightweight, short arm and long leg or short leg wetsuits are preferred as they keep the core nice and warm but don't restrict movement. You will also find your extremities need protecting too. Fingers and toes are the first to complain in cold water. Lightweight gloves will keep your hands warmer without detracting too much from the feeling of swimming Boots or socks will keep your feet warm but also protected from sharp stones and those nasty weaver fish.
For colder temperatures we also sell neoprene beanies and hoods to keep all the heat you generate from swimming from getting lost through your head - these make a big difference.Wealso have a good range of sea swimming googles and swim hats too.
Anything else?
It's a good idea to care for your wetsuit properly. Click here to view our Wetsuit Care Guide for tips on how to keep your wetsuit in the best condition possible, how to put on / take off and store your wetsuit.Still unsure? Why not give us a call on 01273 411141 and have a chat with someone from our Wetsuit Team - we're here to help!