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It’s a common misconception that wetsuits keep you warm
by allowing your body to heat the layer of water between
the neoprene and your skin. If the water is 70 degrees at the
surface, and your body has to warm a layer of water at that
temperature, it’s not energy efficient — you have lost too
much heat from the outset.
A wetsuit’s ability to keep you warm has more to do with
limiting water circulation. In general, the more tightly the
suit fits, the less circulation you’ll get; the theoretically ideal
wetsuit would have no water flushing through.
Thus, wetsuits should fit snugly. For beginner divers who
may not fully understand wetsuit efficiency and may not be
accustomed to the sensation of pressure on their chests, the
tendency can be to select a wetsuit that fits too loosely and
allows too much water flow. But poor fit compromises the
potential warmth of even the best suit.
The desire to minimize water flow through the wetsuit has
led manufacturers to focus on more efficient sealing of the
wrists, ankles and upper chest area to reduce water flushing.
Many brands use features such as double cuffs or skin-in
seals to reduce water entry and thereby improve insulation.
Function and Fashion
While wetsuits were originally designed solely for thermal
protection, today they’re fashion pieces as well. The earliest
suits were like Model Ts: You could have any color you
wanted as long as it was black. With the introduction of
colors and design elements, and with women’s wetsuits in
particular becoming very fashion forward, wetsuits are now
specialized clothing for the marine environment.
In addition to protecting your body from the cold, wetsuits
have other advantages. The layer of neoprene serves as a
comfortable buffer against heavy gear and tight straps. While
divers should always strive for neutral buoyancy and no reef
contact, wetsuits offer some protection against accidental
run-ins with stinging marine life and sharp objects on wrecks.
Most wetsuits have back zippers, but some continue to be
made with zippers in the front. “Front zips provide a seamless
surface for the weight of the tank on the back,” said Alexandra
Schweickhardt of Camaro. While front zips were not popular
in the past due to the pressure they sometimes put on divers’
throats and necks, Schweickhardt said the rise of asymmetric
zippers and water flaps has made them more comfortable.
Care
The better you care for your wetsuit, the longer you can
expect it to last; exposure to UV radiation and salt water can
cause suits to become brittle over time. “After use, rinse your
wetsuit with fresh water, turn it inside out, and hang it on a
large hanger in a place that’s cool, dry and out of the sun,”
Schweickhardt said. Repeated exposure to the pressure at depth
can also decrease the thickness and warmth of wetsuits. A
wetsuit should be seen as a depreciable commodity; if it doesn’t
keep you as warm as it used to, it may be time to upgrade.
Outlook
While some might dream of wetsuits that can be sprayed on
with the ease of aerosol sunscreen, that’s not likely any time
soon. New trends include materials designed to provide the
thermal protection of neoprene without the depth-related
buoyancy considerations. Wetsuit manufacturers today are
focused on improving the ease of getting into and out of suits
as well as improving warmth. Zipperless designs are being
explored for the surf market, but in diving the focus remains
on easy donning and removal. Divers who might be a bit
older or are carrying a little extra weight could find it difficult
to get through the neck opening of a zipperless suit. Instead,
waterproof zippers are used to gain a similar efficiency to
zipperless suits with greater ease of donning. Look for a
continued focus on improving wrist, ankle and neck seals
as wetsuits continue to evolve as fashionable and virtually
indispensible marine garments.
AD
Modern wetsuits
incorporate features to
minimize water flow and
thus improve thermal
effeciency.