While diving, underwater sports or hunting, a person experiences the effects of water on his body for a long time and is forced to protect his body from hypothermia.It is for this purpose - keeping warm, thermal insulation - that a high-quality and reliable wetsuit is needed. At the same time, it is important not to overheat in the suit itself, so before buying, you should decide on the temperature of the water in order to select the appropriate type of wetsuit, its thickness, design and additional elements.
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All wetsuits are divided into three main types:
Thanks to special cuffs on the arms and neck, as well as water- and gas-tight zippers, the suit almost completely eliminates the ingress of water inside. This is the most hermetic equipment that perfectly retains the heat of the human body. The thickness of such a suit is from 5 to 15 mm, it is quite heavy, hinders movement, but at the same time ensures safety when immersed in water, the temperature of which is below zero. Special air valves inside the suit facilitate movement and comfort.Additionally, dry suits are equipped with boots and a helmet. The purpose of a dry suit is to stay under water for a long time, as well as professional work that does not require activity.
The name is explained by the peculiarity of the equipment device - its design implies the ingress of water, which is heated by the heat of the human body and thereby provides thermal insulation. Water circulation under the suit should be kept to a minimum, so it is important to get the right size. This type of equipment is the most inexpensive, comfortable, its thickness is from 1 to 5 mm, which provides a certain mobility, as well as protection at water temperatures from +16 to +24 degrees. Thinner wetsuits are usually designed for swimming in warm water over 30 degrees. At the same time, the equipment protects the skin from possible damage.
This is a combined type of wetsuit that combines the characteristics of the two above. It is denser than a wet suit, but at the same time passes a small amount of water under its shell, and thermal insulation depends on the degree of fit of the suit to the body. The thickness of the equipment is from 3 to 7 mm for water temperatures from +10 to +20 degrees.
Wetsuits are made from three main materials: neoprene, trilaminate and rubberized fabric. The texture of these fabrics is as close as possible to the skin of animals of the underwater world, sharks or dolphins. The materials are highly durable, elastic, for ease of putting on they are covered on both sides with nylon or jersey, some models are covered with plush inside.
According to their design and device, the following types of wetsuits are distinguished:
The choice directly depends on the type of use of the wetsuit, the conditions of its use (place, water temperature and other parameters), as well as on what price is most acceptable.
When choosing a wetsuit, consider the following characteristics:
Equipment of this type is designed for water temperatures from +23 to +30 degrees, made of neoprene and mixed synthetic fabrics such as polyamide, elastane. Such materials should improve buoyancy, reduce the resistance of the aquatic environment, not impede movement, fit well to the body, but at the same time not disturb blood circulation. The thickness is usually 0.5 to 5 mm. The design can be anything from a one-piece suit to a shortened version, as well as for women and children.
Aqua Sphere AQUA SKIN SHORTY
These are the smoothest dry, wet and semi-dry suits, solid or separate, featuring a wide variety of color designs that mimic natural shades. It can be black and brown, gray, olive tones, as well as camouflage (simple and three-dimensional).
Salvimar Wet Drop Cell
Suits of this type are designed for water temperatures below 10 degrees. They come in dry and wet type, one-piece and two-piece designs with an integrated helmet. As a rule, they have tight lining on the back, as well as in the chest and groin area, and the seams are additionally taped. The wetsuit includes boots, socks and gloves.
OMER Gold Black
This professional seamless sports equipment is called starter. A feature of such suits is that they increase the speed of swimming, and combined fabrics are used for their manufacture, for example, Teflon. There are men's, women's (usually with an open back, or with a zipper on the back) and children's. By design, these are closed overalls, suits with short sleeves and trousers (to the knees), as well as wet pants and hydro shorts.
Arena Carbon Ultra
Most often, this is wet-type equipment, which is short or long overalls with a built-in helmet. In addition, this vestment is equipped with a special seal in the groin area, on the chest, as well as obturators on the wrists and ankles. There are pads on the knees and elbows, and soft neoprene inserts on the sides.
Mundial Elaskin Beuchat
Usually these are wet suits, which have a special anatomical cut. They are equipped with additional seals on the chest and shoulders, as well as soft inserts on the sides, in the armpits. They are separate and solid, made of highly elastic neoprene, have convenient zippers to facilitate the process of putting on and taking off.
Henderson Aqualock
Designed for water temperatures from +16 to 0 degrees. These vestments of all types are made of thickened neoprene, two-piece construction, equipped with elbow and knee pads, as well as a reinforced seam.
Sargan Neman RD2
Light equipment designed for water temperatures above +25 degrees. The design options for these suits are very diverse, including monosuits. Their thickness is often combined to ensure comfort.
Cressi LEI
The most popular type of equipment, which is one-piece and two-piece, is equipped with a helmet and tight knee pads, seals in the elbow and knee bends.
OMER Master Team
For diving, it is best to opt for a wet or semi-dry type of equipment, the thickness of which is from 3 to 5 mm. The model should be with long sleeves and legs, the outer material should be smooth, with a texture that reduces water resistance. In order for the movements of the hands under water to be as free as possible, it is necessary to have special thin inserts under the armpits and in the shoulder area.
For spearfishing, a semi-dry monosuit (or two-piece) is required, as well as a helmet and boots. It should be noted that the presence of zip fasteners in this case is undesirable, unless they are gas-tight. The thickness of the shell should be at least 5-7 mm.
For swimming, surfing, a wet suit with a small thickness (about 3 mm) is enough, and for those who are engaged in professional underwater work, a dry type of vestment is needed, with a thickness of 7 to 9 mm.