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