| The neoprene of the wetsuit contains small bubbles | | | | help keep the cold water out and the warm water in. |
| of nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas has a very low thermal | | | | You should choose a wetsuit that fits your body as |
| conductivity. This prevents the heat inside the | | | | tightly as possible, but it should not be so tight that it |
| wetsuit from escaping to the water outside of the | | | | prevents you from having your full range of |
| wetsuit. If you were in the water without a wetsuit | | | | movement. You do not have to worry about the |
| on, the heat from your body would escape to the | | | | wetsuit shrinking when you get into the water, |
| water because the water has a very high thermal | | | | because they stay close to their original size. |
| conductivity. | | | | There are neoprene wetsuits that have nylon fabric |
| The wetsuit does not prevent all of the water from | | | | on the inside and a smooth surface on the outside. |
| getting inside the wetsuit. There is a thin layer of | | | | This is known as smooth skin neoprene. This type of |
| water that is allowed to get between the suit and | | | | wetsuit will keep you warmer because the smooth |
| the skin of the diver. The skin of the diver will warm | | | | surface will absorb less water. |
| the water. The water and the wetsuit will then serve | | | | There is another type of neoprene wetsuit that has |
| as insulation against the cold water. | | | | nylon fabric on both sides. This is known as nylon 2. |
| The warmth you get from the wetsuit will also be | | | | The nylon 2 wetsuit is more durable than the smooth |
| determined by the thickness of the neoprene. The | | | | skin neoprene wetsuit. The nylon fabric will |
| suit will keep you warmer if the neoprene is thicker. | | | | strengthen the wetsuit and make it easier to slip on |
| The thickness is measured in millimeters. The largest | | | | and off. Neoprene wetsuits can be made using either |
| size is 6 millimeters. Some manufacturers will use | | | | one of two processes: chemical blown or gas blown. |
| different thickness for different parts of the suit. | | | | A chemical blown wetsuit feels softer and nicer. A |
| Another consideration that you might have, if you | | | | gas blown wetsuit is more durable but it is also more |
| are concerned about staying warm, is how well your | | | | expensive. |
| wetsuit fits on your body. If the wetsuit is too loose | | | | In the last several years, wetsuits containing merino |
| of a fit on your body, then the thin layer of water | | | | wool and titanium thread have become popular. |
| between your skin and the wetsuit might escape, | | | | These suits are meant to help retain more body heat. |
| along with some body heat. If the suit is not a close | | | | These wetsuits are also more expensive than the |
| fit then cold water might rush into the suit, which | | | | neoprene wetsuits. There also are wetsuits that have |
| prevents the water already inside the suit from | | | | no coatings and these are called skins. They fit very |
| warming up. If you use flexible seals around the | | | | well and are very comfortable. They are hard to slip |
| openings near the feet, hands and neck, this might | | | | on and off, because they are very fragile. |