Wetsuits - A guide to wetsuit fit and technology
There are three main types of wetsuit, and at least 4 different levels of warmth to be achieved.
Shorties
The typical British summer wetsuit for the masses. This is the least expensive type of wetsuit, mainly due to its lack of coverage and simple stitching. A shorty is realistically only useful in the height of the British summer, as it does not do a great job in preventing water flushing through the suit. The typical thickness will be 2-3mm, and it will have short arms and short legs. A shorty is more useful in locations such as north Africa or the Canaries, where it will extend a surf to a comfortable full day. A good shorty will cost approx £50.
Spring/Summer steamer
This is The Most useful wetsuit type for the British surfer. Usable from Spring right through to Early winter, this suit will be the most important suit in your collection. Often again 2mm-3mm thick this suit has two main variations, the cheaper flatlock stitched suit or the dearer blindstiched (explaned later). The Blindstiched suit will allow the surfer a full days surf throughout the time period mentioned above, but the flatlock will allow much less due to water penetration.
Winter Steamer
The most expensive wetsuit type, a winter steamer will take you through the long UK winter without too much discomfort. Useful from Approx November to April, combined with boots gloves and a hood during the coldest months, you have no reason to stay out of the water. Typically 3mm-6mm thick, but most commonly in a 5/3mm combination.
Wetsuit Construction, wetsuit fit and how do they work
Wetsuits are made from Neoprene rubber, a supple material with warmth retaining qualities due to the millions of tiny Nitrogen bubble caught in the rubber. Really really cheap supermarket wetsuits will be made out of a synthetic neoprene substitute which has little in the way of heat retaining properties. Contrary to popular opinion wetsuits do not work solely by trapping water between the body and suit. It is important to keep the thinnest possible layer or water in the suit, but fundamentally water conducts heat from the body. What keeps you warm is the thickness of the suit itself, with the Nitrogen bubbles insulating you from the cold. A thicker suit is a warmer suit. This is why we must ensure a very close fit which will then stop water entering and leaving the suit with your hard fought body warmth.
Flushing is the wetsuits nemesis; in fact so is water entry of any type. Suits fight the water entry by being close fitting, with sealed seams (not in all cases) and having tight entry holes. The first concern for the user is fit.
Wetsuit Fit
The ultimate wetsuit would fit as if it has been sprayed on with a paint can, with no voids between you and the suit itself. Unfortunately we are often in the situation of trying to get the best possible fit. With new technologies such has superstretch, wetsuits have become far more clingy, which has helped overall fit. When trying on a wetsuit for the first time it can be tempting to buy a wetsuit that fits comfortably, in other words too loose. A wetsuit when first on will often seem too tight, most noticeably around the neck. This tightness is critical, and should be explained by the assistant.
The next thing to consider is seams;
Wetsuit seams
Wetsuits are stitched together in a variety of methods. Commonly on cheaper suits or shorties the stitching method is Flatlock stitching. This is when the two pieces of neoprene are laid over each other and are stitched straight through the rubber. This gives a strong comfortable seam, but it will not be waterproof. The next method is what I termed Blindstiched, a blindstiched seam is created by a machine which only penetrates one side of the seam then is glued shut. It is then a waterproof seam. This is easily detectable as you will only see stitching on one side of the seam. The newest method, which is often combined with blindstiching is liquid taping. Liquid tape replaces the heat tape (non stretchy seam re-enforcement) of yesteryear, will add additional sealant and will re-enforce, allowing for a very stretchy seam. Once again, contrary to popular belief liquid tape is not applied to just seal, its main purpose is to add strength.
After seams the only thing to consider is how stretchy do you want your wetsuit. High end wetsuits will be ,made from 100% Superstretch neoprene, a material which has incredible flexibility and therefore will not impede your surfing ability. As we go down in price wetsuits will use less and less superstretch, leaving it for high mobility areas such as under the arms. Eventually with the cheaper suits, no superstretch will be used at all.
Wetsuit accessories
Boots, gloves and hoods, all termed wetsuit accessories. All of which are needed in the depth of winter, but you may want to consider wearing boots on other occasions as well. Thin boots or slippers can be used in the tropics to protect against reef cuts (don't go treading on the reef on purpose though!). Some people want to protect themselves in the UK from the dreaded weaverfish, hence another use for boots, and I can tell you from bitter experience, they HURT!!!!
All accessories should fit in the same way as your wetsuit, close fitting and snug. Boots come in two main types, split toe and round toe. Split toe eliminate movement in the boot, and provide a more natural feel on the board. Round toe are less responsive, but are preferred by many as they feel less weird. Gloves are differentiated mostly by thickness alone, but you can get mitten type gloves for colder waters. Hoods are split in to balaclava type and skull cap type. Balaclavas offer the most protection from the elements, whilst skull caps are a less restrictive item, primarily to fight ice cream headaches.
Wetsuit fitting isn't an exact science, but there are some simple rules and tips to follow.
1.Go for the closest fitting suit possible (everything feels too tight in a hot changing room)
2.Get the best suit you can afford (you get what you pay for), if you cant afford one from a real surf shop with educated advice to hand, don't bother, save your money and hire one.
3.When buying for kids, don't buy a suit with growing room, you are just wasting your money. Get one that fits now, and when it is no longer the right size, sell it.
4.Really consider when you are using it. Shorty for the height of UK summertime, 3mm flatlock stitched full suit for summer, 3mm blindstiched full suit for spring /summer/autumn, 5mm for winter.
5.Women's suits are made to fit a women's body shape only, unisex suits don't exist!
6.Smaller guys can go for a large junior suit, it can save a lot of money.
