A wetsuit must close fit to the body. This is because a wetsuit work by trapping a thin layer of water against the skin. If the wetsuit is too larger for the wearer, the trapped water will flush out of the wetsuit.
When water flush out of the wetsuit, the wearer feel cold. Therefore, to keep the wearer warm in the cold water, the wetsuit must fit close to the body. To find the correct size of wetsuit, a person should use specific measurement.
Pick the Right Wetsuit and Take Care of It
Three measurements should be used: the height, the weight, and the chest measurements of the person wearing the wetsuit. Many peoples use the size of there clothing to determine the size of the wetsuit they need. However, a wetsuit should fit the body like a second skin.
People should decide if they would rather wear a wetsuit that is slightly smaller or larger then their measurements. A wetsuit that is slightly smaller will keep the wearer warmer, but the wetsuit will be less flexible. A larger wetsuit will be more flexible but may allow cold water in the gap between the wetsuit and the body.
Wetsuits are made of a material known as neoprene. The most common type of neoprene is petroleum based. Petroleum based material is durable and inexpensive.
Another type of neoprene is limestone based. This type of material is lighter and more stretchier than petroleum based neoprene. A person can achieve more flexibility when paddling with limestone based neoprene.
Professional wetsuits may use a different type of rubber: Japanese rubber. Japanese rubber dry faster and sticks to the skin more than other material. The thickness of the neoprene affect the type of water that a person can handle in the wetsuit.
The thickness of the wetsuit is measured in millimeters (mm). For warm water, a two mm wetsuit or a shorty wetsuit will be sufficient. For colder water, a three to five mm wetsuit is best.
For very cold water, a wetsuit that is seven mm or more in thickness are needed. The thickness of the wetsuit determine how much heat the wearer can retain in the body. The way that the seam are constructed in a wetsuit will determine how much water enter the wetsuit.
Wetsuits will have seams that use a flatlock stitch. A flatlock stitch allow water to enter the wetsuit at the seams. For colder water, you will find glued and blindstitched seams in wetsuits.
These seams act as a barrier against the water’s coldness. For the coldest water environments, you should use taped or liquid sealed seams. These types of seam will provide the highest level of protection for the body wearing the wetsuit.
To ensure that the wetsuit fits the wearer correct, the person should take accurate measurements of their body. The fullest part of the chest and the natural waist should be measured while standing straight. The weight of the person should also be measured.
This should be done in the morning when they have not gain any additional weight from eating, and while wearing the least amount of clothing possible. To ensure that the wetsuit lasts the wearer for a long time, it must be maintained proper. Never use a wire hanger to hang a wetsuit.
The wire will stretch the wetsuits shoulder so that it does not fit the wearer properly anymore. A plastic hanger or hanging the wetsuit by the waist are the best way to allow the wetsuit to dry. Wetsuits should be rinsed with fresh water to remove any salt from the neoprene in the wetsuit.
Finally, when drying the wetsuit, do so in the shade. Direct sunlight will damage the neoprene in the wetsuit. By following these steps, a person will ensure that their wetsuit will last for a long time and be functional when need.
