| Buying a wetsuit can be somewhat confusing. There | | | | joins the neoprene a the seam by stitching the edges |
| are many different styles, thicknesses, qualities and | | | | together. The ridge is on the inside of the suit which |
| price ranges to choose from. | | | | can become uncomfortable. If this seam is stretched |
| Trying on a wetsuit isn't the most fun thing to do in the | | | | to its limit the seam may open up and let in some |
| world either. However, it is a necessary evil if you | | | | water. |
| want to keep warm on your dive. | | | | At the other extreme of construction quality, is the blind |
| So with that in mind, here are the items you should | | | | stitch. Here the material is first glued and then stitched |
| look for when buying a wetsuit: | | | | on one side. However, the stitch doesn't pierce the |
| * Style - The first thing you will have to decide is what | | | | material which would give an entry point for water. |
| style of wetsuit do you want. | | | | The same stitch is then done on the reverse side and |
| Do you want a full wet suit or a shortie (has short | | | | interlocks with the first stitch. This gives the strongest |
| arms (usually) and legs that end just above the knee)? | | | | seam. Of course, as you would guess, this type of |
| Do you want a farmer john or jane (a two piece suit - | | | | construction is found on the more expensive scuba |
| one piece has long legs with a sleeveless top; it is | | | | diving wet suit. |
| usually worn with a covering jacket)? Do you need a | | | | In between, is the flatlock stitching which you will find in |
| hood? | | | | many warm water wet suits (mine included). The two |
| A shortie is for warm water diving and is what I wear | | | | pieces of neoprene overlap and are joined together. |
| when I need more than a skin (mine is 2mm). It does | | | | Unlike the over-lock stitch, the seam lays flat making it |
| leave your arms and legs exposed to the water so | | | | more comfortable for the diver. |
| you have to decide if it will be warm enough for you. | | | | While water can sometimes seep through these |
| A full scuba diving wet suit is probably the most | | | | seams when stretched, it will be much less than with |
| common/popular and is what I see the most while | | | | an over-lock stitch. Taped seams, with any of these |
| diving in the Caribbean. This style is one piece and has | | | | stitches, helps prevent water leaking through the |
| long arms and legs. | | | | seams. It also helps the comfort factor, making the |
| Buying a wetsuit hood is not necessary (for most | | | | scuba diving wet suit more comfortable against the |
| people) for diving in warm water. It is more for cold | | | | skin. |
| water diving. I can count on one hand the number of | | | | * Neoprene - The type of neoprene your scuba diving |
| people I have seen wearing a hood while diving in the | | | | wet suit is made of affects the quality of the suit and, |
| Caribbean. | | | | of course the price. Scuba diving wetsuits are made |
| * Thickness - The thickness is probably the most | | | | of neoprene which is a synthetic rubber foam. |
| important factor that will determine your comfort | | | | The neoprene has thousands of tiny bubbles for |
| underwater. Choose the thickness based on the type | | | | insulation. The material is then typically laminated with a |
| of water and diving you will be doing. For the | | | | nylon based material. Once this elastic fabric dries, the |
| Caribbean, a 3mm should be sufficient for most people. | | | | neoprene becomes pliable and flexible. The type of |
| * Quality of Construction - This will determine how long | | | | neoprene your scuba diving wet suit is made of |
| that scuba diving wet suit will last. Most importantly, you | | | | affects the quality of the suit and, of course the price. |
| need to check the seams of the wet suit. | | | | The highest quality neoprene is gas blown and made |
| The cheapest and least strong is a glued stitch. It will | | | | with thousands of little bubbles of nitrogen gas. While it |
| sometimes have a piece of glued tape over the | | | | will compress and eventually wear out like all neoprene, |
| seams which will help with comfort. While it is | | | | it is the most durable type of neoprene. A chemical |
| adequate, it will probably give out the quickest of all the | | | | blown wetsuit feels softer but will not be as durable. |
| seams. | | | | Hopefully this guide will make your purchase easier. I |
| Another of the basic stitches found mostly in "bargain" | | | | hope you have a nice warm dive. |
| and "cheap" wet suits is the over-lock stitch which | | | | |