A wetsuit is a garment that has been designed to provide thermal protection while in water.
In most cases, it is made of foamed neoprene material, and it is worn by surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, and anyone involved in water sports or other water-related activities.
As the name implies, it is designed to provide thermal insulation and protection from impact, ultraviolet exposure, and the effects of marine life.
Additionally, it also provides you with floating capabilities.
In order for neoprene foam to be effective as an insulation material, it has to contain bubbles of gas that reduce the ability of the material to conduct heat.
In addition to providing buoyancy in water, bubbles give the wetsuit a low density, allowing it to float on water.
It is important that you have a wetsuit when going into any lake or sea as it will provide you with the support that you need.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about a wetsuit and why you should own one.
Are They Warm?
Absolutely is the answer.
One of their main duties is keeping you warm so that you stay comfortable, and the thermal material plays a key role in keeping you warm.
In spite of this, believe it or not it will not actually stop you from getting hypothermia, so do take care.
How They Keep You Warm
It is not just a question of whether wetsuits keep you warm that we get asked, it is also a question of whether they keep you dry as well.
If a wetsuit is able to keep you warm then it must be able to keep you dry as well, although it shouldn’t be assumed that it will.
In truth, that couldn’t be farther from the truth, as wetsuits don’t provide any protection against the elements.
That may seem confusing but it actually isn’t at all!
Neoprene makes it possible for you to wear a wetsuit while staying warm, especially when combined with water and your own body heat.
Wetsuits trap water between your skin and the wetsuit, which gets warmed by body heat as soon as you get into the water no matter the Fahrenheit.
Your body ultimately feels warm from this layer. Even though you may feel warm once you get moving in the water while wearing a wetsuit, the shock of getting into the water may hit you at first.
Is The Thickness Of A Wetsuit Important?
If you are out there scuba diving or snorkeling, you will certainly appreciate a 1mm wetsuit top or a 2mm shorty springsuit.
Nevertheless, even at 68 degrees F, your body will only be comfortably warm with those thicknesses
Generally, the lower the water temperature, the thicker the wetsuit you’ll need.
This makes it pretty easy to understand for anyone looking to get a wetsuit and what they are going to be using it for.
If you plan on going in some frozen lake you best have a thick wetsuit otherwise you will be in big trouble!
It is simply not possible to survive in those winter conditions in a 2mm or 3mm thick wetsuit.
You should consider wearing a 5/4mm, 5/4/3mm, or even a 6/5mm wetsuit instead.
Neoprene has a high degree of protection and warmth, so the thicker it is, the better.
A difference is also made by seams. There is always the possibility for water to seep through flatlock, standard seams, which is why they are often found on wetsuits for warmer waters.
It is your best defense against cold water seeping into the wetsuit if the seams are sealed & taped or even sealed & external liquid taped.
As a result, you will be able to stay in the water for a longer period of time since you’ll be warmer.
Wetsuits To Buy
You will come to find that wetsuits are really hard to buy if you do not understand what sort of thickness is ideal for the activity.
Selecting the right wetsuit is so important to help with your range of movement whilst keeping you warm in the conditions.
We have come up with a list of some wetsuits which we recommend that you should consider.
Mens 3mm Shorty Wetsuit – A top seller on Amazon, this wetsuit is the perfect choice for the avid diver, surfer, or even snorkeler!
You should get a snug and snug fit after several uses in order to maintain body heat.
It is made of good quality neoprene material that is breathable, stretchable, and heat insulating.
You can’t go wrong with this option if you are looking for your standard wetsuit.
REALON Wetsuit 5mm Full Diving Suit – This wetsuit is likely to be one of the thicker wetsuits you can find on the market and it is certain that it is going to do the job if you are in colder environments.
This is going to be your best friend in these conditions and it is even better as it is a full body covering one.
For those who are more experienced and venture to the extreme depths of the water you will discover that the water is colder the deeper you go into the water.
You will need this wetsuit if you are thinking of experiencing colder water.
Summary
The purpose of this guide is to answer that all important question, “Do wetsuits really keep you warm?”.
Hopefully you now understand how the wetsuits keep you warm and why thickness is important based on your water activity and location.
If you are considering purchasing a wetsuit, make sure that you choose the proper size and thickness during the process of choosing one.
The recommended wetsuits are just two of the best wetsuits currently available on the market today.
Keep safe in the water and be sure to wear a wetsuit the next time you are in some cold conditions as it might just help you from getting hypothermia!
I didn’t know anything about the sport or camping, and I set off on my adventure with very little planning. As a result, I was cold and miserable for the entire trip, and I didn’t catch a single fish.
Once I learned the right way to do things, my experience became much better. So, that is what I am here to do for you. I want to teach as many people as possible about fishing and camping, so their first experience can be as amazing as they’re building it up in their heads.
So, come and learn about camping and fishing from me, and I guarantee that you will have an amazing time out in the Great Outdoors.
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