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Different manufacturers use different features for improved performance and to make their wetsuits as unique as possible. Some innovations are gimmicks but some are very useful and enhance the performance a great deal. We’ve put together some information on some of the more useful features you may find when deciding which wetsuit to buy.
Neoprene is a rubber foam material lined with a jersey fabric for stretch and comfort. The more stretch to the fabric however the less durable it is. A more durable fabric should be used on areas such as knees which wear first and less on other areas where the degree of stretch is more important.
A well fitting suit needs to have a number of panels. The more panels the better fit but this increases the number of seams which will reduce the flexibility. Seams should be placed so that they do not hinder freedom of movement so should not be across the shoulders or under the arms. They should also not be in areas which may cause rubbing on the skin such as behind the knees or around the neck.
Commonly stitching is either blindstitched or flatlocked. In blindstitching the seams are glued first and the stitch does not pass completely through the material. The seam is water tight but this type of stitching is a more labour intensive process and uis usually used on more expensive wetsuits. Flatlocked stitching is flexible and strong but, as the stitch passes right through the material it is not water tight. Adequate for summer wetsuits it would not be suitable for winter wetsuits.
Seams can be coated in rubber compound to make the seams watertight but this reduces the flexibility so is best used only in areas where flexibility is not important.
Two types of neoprene coating are currently in use, water repellant coating (WRC) and Pu printing. In WRC the top half of a wetsuit is coated with a chemical that repels water. The wetsuit retains less water so is lighter and warmer.PU printing increases the durability of the neoprene material and makes it more resistant to abrasion damage.
Almost all of the more expensive wetsuits feature a ‘batwing’ system. This is a thin panel of neoprene inside the zip which prevents cold water entering through the zip.
Seals must be good enough to prevent water entering the suit but not so tight that rubbing occurs. essentially a good fit, soft neoprene and fewer seams are the things to look for.
More expensive wetsuits will have superstretch material, blindstitching at the seams and other features that enhance the performance. However more expensive suits are less durable so it’s a balance between better performance at a cost and lower durability, or a lower performance a lower cost and a longer lasting wetsuit. If you spend a lot of time in the water it is sensible to buy the most comfortable wetsuit you can afford.
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