Cold Water Wet Suits

Suit Makers Show More of their Lines
By Peter Golding

Let me cut to the chase. A good 'Wet' suit isn't. Wet, that is. Rather, it helps retain body heat by keeping you as dry as possible.

Sure, a little water will seep in and yes, your body will warm this liquid, but the duration of a dive and your comfort during it, is accomplished almost entirely by the suit material and how well it fits your body-elements of thoughtful design. So, when you purchase that new wetsuit, don't buy the old scuba scuttlebutt that the suit must let in water to do its job. If you do, call me about some oceanfront property I have for sale in Saskatchewan.

The good news is that the wetsuits available at your local dive retailer are superior in every respect to their forerunners. Comparing the two would be to seek similarities between a Lamborghini and a Lada. About all you can say is, they're both automobiles.

Years of diving and technological innovation produce this new generation of superior exposure suits. Advances in materials and manufacturing technology, coupled with the advent of computer-assisted design (CAD), make today's wetsuits more anatomically precise, improving fit and movement through the water; they are also dryer and warmer, more durable and look great! Hands down, they're a more comfortable ride!

Do your homework before buying. It can mean the difference between years of pleasurable diving and dropping out. This is not said for dramatic effect; physical comfort and its psychological effect are fundamental for those who get their kicks cruising nature's rougher neighbourhoods.

Today, S, M and L are a mere starting point for off-the-rack suits. There's much more in between these days because we humans come in more than three sizes. Some suppliers now price tops and bottoms separately so that you can buy mixed sizes if this proves best when shopping for your shape. For others, the premium paid for custom-made will be a wise investment.

Style, colour and brand can influence a wetsuit purchase, as with car buying. So, make sure you 'check under the hood' as well. Suit material and hug is key to your warmth so ask about the rubber being used - neoprene that is, not tires!

What 'finish' (fabrics/coatings) is on the inside and outside of the rubber and why? Are they practical or cosmetic? Marketing often blurs the line between the significance of a patented innovation and something less, like a catchy trademark. Stated differently, know your body. Does it chill easily? What features being offered actually contribute to thermal protection? Budget is a factor although a hard working suit is worth its price.

Your ally in the quest for the right wetsuit is the local area dive retailer. Rely on their expertise but don't abdicate your responsibility to assess personal needs and to carefully evaluate what you learn. Make the right choice for you. Comfort is the key. Invest smartly in this equipment, it will prove less costly in the long, er, swim.

Deep down everyone wants a warm wetsuit. In the pressure filled world of scuba diving the rubber (suit) meets the road as soon as you hit the water. Further 'down' the road, increasing pressure puts the squeeze on neoprene, reducing its thermal effectiveness.

Yikes, that sounds cold, you might be saying. Relax, there's a diving quality neoprene. Its density resists pressure, prolonging your comfort at depth. It may also stiffen arm and leg movement, at least until that pressure puts the 'thin on your rubber skin.' The unique conditions of diving demand an exposure garment more substantial than those designed for surface water sports. Make an informed decision and stay warm. The most comfortable suit in the dive store may not be as comfy under two or three atmospheres of pressure. Favour the features that suit your particular diving profile.

Talk to your dive store professional about rubber density and thickness. Uniform density translates to uniform protection. The degree of density can vary. Rubber thickness is another consideration. Minimally, a 7mm wetsuit is recommended in cold/northern water. Suits featuring dual thickness rubber, the thicker for torso/core area warmth, the thinner for arm/leg flexibility, are innovative. Choose according to individual needs.

Pictured are two of Oceaner's top of the line wetsuits, the Raging Inferno worn by female model and the Black Shadow. As the name suggests, the Raging Inferno is Oceaner's warmest two-piece wetsuit, made with superior 7mm titanium neoprene. The step-in style shortie doubles coverage over torso/groin areas and the full john/jane with attached 7mm hood is one of many features designed to minimize cold water entry. The 7mm Velcro closure collar combines with Super Composite Skin-lined arms, raglan style contoured sleeves and other features to make this a feature-packed suit. For men and women in full range of sizes.

The Black Shadow on right of photo also featuring the Raging Inferno, is a sleek one-piece titanium neoprene wetsuit with a plush inner lining except for the SCS-lined arms which allow for ease of entry and inhibit water movement. A neck seal "Dickie" also limits water entry at the collar. A Black Shadow sleeveless vest/tunic is also available to be worn in tandem with the full suit for those who seek maximum thermal protection. And, as with the Raging Inferno, the Black Shadow features a deluxe spine pad that spreads out to wrap around the lower back cavity/kidney area. Full range of sizes and colours options available.

Akona two-piece john/jane and shorty combos in 6.5mm for cold water and 3mm for the tropics. These have full features similar to the suits described above.

The Henderson Gold Core Step-In Combo wetsuit modelled here by Genese is a 7mm, two-piece suit featuring the company's Gold Core technology. A (sleeveless) jane/john full suit is worn in combination with a step-in shortie that provides double warmth over the body's core area. The Gold Core lining provides skin-to-skin fit helping prevent cold water entry. The slippery nature of this lining combined with a soft neoprene allows for ease of entry and comfy fit. Gold Core also offers quick drying between dives and is anti-microbial to combat odour. Available also in lighter weight 3mm and 5mm versions, the suit is basic black and in a full range of sizes for women and men.

Kayla shows her custom Bare wet suit. Features of Bare's Junior Arctic suit replicate many of those of adult suits. The Kids' Bare-fit line has children sizes ranging from 30 lbs to over 100 lbs and heights three feet and taller. The cold water 7mm suits come in black and blue colour combinations.

Alex wears the Pinnacle Glacier one-piece, rear-entry suit, designed for quick donning and comfort. Constructed of 7mm and 5mm titanium composite skin, the Glacier, like all Pinnacle neoprene suits is lined with unique New Zealand Merino, a fine natural sheep's wool fibre that is 'exothermic,' meaning it releases a significant amount of heat as it absorbs and controls the water layer. Suit materials promote quick drying and resist UV light and odour. A substantial smoothskin seal with a 10mm backing flap affords protection along the spine/back zip and the ankle sealing system includes a locking zipper and internal chimney seal to eliminate water transfer. O-ring cuffs and internal Orcaskin chimney seal reduce water entry and a roll-down collar allows maximum head movement while maintaining a watertight seal. Available for women, too, Glacier is offered in many sizes.

New from Akona this year are these single piece 7mm suits for men and women that boast attractive styling and many practical features. Super stretch neoprene panels and glide skin material make entry and exit easy. Glide skin neck wrists and ankle seals also minimize water entry. Akona's "Grab Shoulder" material provides superior wear and scuff protection and reduces BC shifting. These suits are offered in 3mm as well, and in a full range of sizes for men and women.

A great entry-level wetsuit, the one-piece rear-entry Pinnacle Elite, worn here by Amanda, is made of both 7mm and 5mm neoprene with the exclusive New Zealand Merino lining in the torso area. Read about Merino in the Pinnacle Glacier wetsuit description. The Elite features the same cuff, ankle, back zip and neck sealing features as the Glacier. Offered in eight women's sizes.

Krista and Alex are sporting Bare's 7mm Arctic SGS full wetsuits shown here in ladies' black and men's black and steel colour combinations. The two-piece design (sold together or separately) comprises full body jumpsuit with back zip entry and front zip vest (each 7mm) with attached hood. Identical features of both include outside Hydrostretch laminate that allows the neoprene its full range of motion. Inside coating is Stretch Glide Skin (SGS) combining with the Hydrostretch and ankle zippers to facilitate easy donning and doffing. Inside flip seals at the calves and forearms combat water entry. Armour flex rubber kneepads are bonded directly to the neoprene on this suit, which is available in many sizes for both men and women.

Oceaner's two-piece San Juan wetsuit is an affordable entry-level wetsuit modeled here by Amanda in the 7mm shoulder Velcro closure Jane and also by Krista in the 7mm plush neoprene shortie. Worn together for cold water diving, the San Juan can also be separated for use in warmer climes. Among many features are spine pad, 3mm neoprene kneepads, ankle zippers, raglan style contoured arms, glued and double stitched seams and all edges finished with lycra binding. Available in wide range of sizes, custom fitting and colour combos.

Most manufacturers offer suits in small sizes and configurations for children.

White's 7mm Titanium ADS wetsuit for men and women combines a contour-designed shortie that fits over a one-piece back zip full suit. The ADS (Almost Dry Suit) features wrist and ankle zips for easy entry and exit and internal seals at wrists and calves to minimize water entry. A Velcro adjustable skin-in collar and back zip sealing flap also help to minimize water in-flow. Molded kneepads and stretchy armpit panels are among other details in this suit, available in black and charcoal in a wide range of sizes for both sexes.



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