The wetsuit is an important piece of equipment that you should wear while practicing different water sports. But, Do wetsuits keep you dry? Are they waterproof?, and will you be warm at the end? That is what will we discuss in this article.
Are Wetsuits Waterproof?
Wetsuits are made from waterproof materials and have a water-repellent inner layer to prevent water from entering your body. However, when they are fully submerged, water can enter through the ankles, wrists, zipper, and neck, so they do not keep you completely dry.
Your body rapidly warms the thin layer of water inside the wetsuit, which is snug to prevent more water from entering in order to keep you warm. For complete dryness while scuba diving or surfing in cold water, use a drysuit.
Why are Wetsuits Not Waterproof?
A wetsuit keeps us warm by utilizing the insulating properties of water and neoprene. Additionally, the ability of the human body to generate heat is often underestimated.
Wetsuits help us stay warm by trapping the heat our bodies generate. The multiple layers of material in wetsuits regulate body temperature effectively.
The wetsuit works on trapping a thin layer of water between the skin and inner nylon material instead of repelling it. The outer layers which are made from materials like metal oxide and neoprene, provide insulation to maintain the temperature of this trapped water layer.
The layers’ number of a wetsuit and their thickness should be different depending on how much protection you need. A light, short wetsuit will be a suitable choice for swimming or surfing in water having a temperature of 18-20°C, but for colder temperatures, a wetsuit with thickness of 5 mm is a must.
Wetsuits have different seams and the glue blind stitch suit is almost close to being completely waterproof.
Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry?
Contrary to common belief, wetsuits don’t keep you dry. The word “wet” is in “wetsuit” for a reason. If you thought that wetsuits keep you dry, you’re not alone.
Does a Wetsuit Keep You Dry?
Wetsuits keep you warm, but they don’t keep you dry. They weren’t designed for that. Let’s take a look on the technical side, wetsuits work on trapping a thin layer of water between the skin and the wetsuit. Then, the neoprene material inside it warms the water that’s trapped. This results in providing you with sufficient warmth so that you complete your water adventure comfortably.
Will I Be Warm At the End?
Choosing the proper wetsuit thickness will make your wetsuit give sufficient warmth. Actually, That’s what they were designed for. Your wetsuit will keep you warm in addition to protecting you from any outer elements like rash and sunburn.
However, a fullsuit that has 5/4mm in thickness will definitely provide you with more warmth when compared to another having a 3/2mm. Regardless of the thickness and the tech features, you will still get wet if you are wearing a wetsuit.
Do Wetsuits Keep You Dry (Watersports Edition)
You’ll definitely get wet in a wetsuit during water sports where you’re submerged, like surfing or swimming. In case of kayaking, you may stay dry or get wet.
You might not be submerged while kayaking, but there’s a chance to get wet. You don’t need to get worried, as your wetsuit will keep you warm and dry quickly.
What If You Want to Be Dry?
A wetsuit won’t keep you dry, so if you want to be dry, the best choice will be a drysuit. Not all drysuits keep you completely dry, but they offer a watertight experience. They’re popular for SCUBA, paddleboarding, and kayaking but not the best for surfing.
How Can Wetsuits Protect You against Freezy Temperatures?
Wetsuits are recommended in case of scuba diving in relatively warm water. However, drysuits are preferred for freezy water because they can keep you warmer than wetsuits.
The degree of warmth you feel in a wetsuit depends on its thickness. Insulation depends on neoprene thickness and the user’s tolerance for cold water. Thicker wetsuits retain more heat.
