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