Wetsuit
What is the difference between a wetsuit for scuba diving, surfing, and kitesurfing?
I don’t understand the difference between wetsuits and the differences. I scuba dive, surf, and kite surf, and want someone to explain the type of wetsuit I would want for each. Also, what do the numbers 4/3 etc mean when you are talking about a wetsuit? Thanks for the help. Points for the best answer.
First of all, if you are already diving, surfing, Kite-surfing etc., why don’t you talk to the people in the dive or surf shops that you do business with. They are full of great information, and they know far more about local water temperatures and conditions than we do out here in cyberspace. We don’t know you, or where you surf & dive.
There are really three types of wet suits that I know of. Surfing wet suits have a greater degree of flexibility at the joints and have a back zipper (so your are not chafing on a zipper when laying on your belly paddling). Scuba suits tend to have less flexibility, often come in thicker versions and more often zip up the front, so a zipper doesn’t chafe you back from your backpack and tank. General purpose wet suits are a little rarer, but they are what of jet skiers and kayakers wear. Although all of the jet skiers and kayakers I know personally wear suits originally designed for either surfing or diving.
When I started surfing and diving 43 years ago, we all wore the same wet suits for both swimming and diving. Of course Mr. O’Neill revolutionized the industry, and things are the way today. Unfortunately, I had to stop diving in the 70s, but I still surf year round, and wear a variety of wet suits.
As much as design is a consideration, the difference in thickness makes a big difference in the application of a wet suit. As I guy who used to dive, I know there is a considerable in heat body heat loss at 100 feet diving than there is sitting on the surface surfing. The numbers that you mentioned, are thicknesses expressed in milimeters. So a 4/3 has some 4 mil neoprene, and some 3 mil neoprene. The thinnner stuff is usually used at flex points.
The only way to get the “right” wet suit is at a dive or surf or sport shop, where you take the time to try on different models. Every manufactuer’s sizing varies slightly, and proper fit is important.
Your ‘Best Answer’ won’t come from anybody on line. Like I said, talk to the local guys who can tell you what is popular in your area and what works best for your area. I could tell you exactly what type and thickness suits I wear in different seasons, but how would that help you? Good luck.
How To Put On Your XTERRA WETSUITS
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NeoSport Wetsuits Men’s Premium Neoprene 1mm Full Dive Jumpsuit Sz M New $59.98 |
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New Mens Polaris Large Wetsuit Rash Guard, Great Pricing! $19.99 |
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7mm-Titanium-Farmer John-Cold Water-Wet Suit *L* $234.99 |
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3/2mm Men’s Hyperflex FLOW Full Wetsuit – S $199.99 |
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H&M BARBAPAPA BABY BOYS SWIMSUIT, WET SUIT, SWIMWEAR 9-12 Months $12.64 |
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BCD CUMBERBUN EXTENTION 24 INCHES, SCUBA, DIVE, DIVE GEAR, $24.99 |
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Henderson INSTA DRY 7 mm 7mm scuba diving suit cold water dive gear Mens medium $499.00 |
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BCD WEIGHT POCKET, SCUBA, DIVE, DIVE GEAR, $12.99 |
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Youth O’Neill Wetsuit $15.00 |
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Youth Jobe Wetsuit $15.00 |
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Youth O’Neill Wetsuit $15.00 |
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Parkway 2 Piece Farmer John Black Wet Suit Medium Jacket and Bib Overall Unisex $49.99 |
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NEW Full Length 4/3mm SLICKSKYNS Ultrastretch Taped Wetsuit – LARGE – MENS $87.00 |
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BCD STAINLESS STEELRINGS, SET OF 2, SCUBA, DIVE, DIVE GEAR, $10.99 |
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Parkway Shorty Wetsuit Size Large $19.99 |
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Men’s L Xcel Hooded Chest-Zip Infiniti Drylock Wetsuit 4/3 $200.00 |
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Men’s S QUIKSILVER wetsuit TOP compression SWIMWEAR swimsuit shirt surfer black $12.99 |
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Pre-Owned Medium Parkway Wetsuit 2 piece $26.99 |
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Pre-Owned Parkway 2 Piece Wet Suit Medium $29.99 |
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NEW Farmer John Wetsuit Medium – old style $75.00 |
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NEW BLACK MEDIUM LATEX RUBBER FOOT SOCKS CATSUIT wetsuit 2ND $4.57 |
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NEW BLACK LARGE LATEX RUBBER FOOT SOCKS CATSUIT wetsuit 2ND $4.25 |
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5/4mm Men’s O’Neill MUTANT Hooded Wetsuit – 2XL $349.95 |
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KONA ADVENTURE GEAR CHILD’S CHILDREN BOY GIRL WET SUIT SURF SWIM SNORKEL WARM $3.99 |
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Hyperflex Webbed Paddle Wetsuit Gloves Surf, Kayak, bodyboard, Swim, triathlon $16.99 |
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GI JOE 1987 Battle Pack Accessories #5 Rifle Helmet Hea $1.49 |
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Pre-owned Parkway Shorty Wetsuit Size Medium $14.99 |
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QUIKSILVER SYNCRO LONG/SL SPRING SUIT size L – new NWT $85.00 |
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White Stag womens extra small wet suit $8.99 |
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O’Neill Reactor 3/2 Men’s Wetsuit- NEW W/ TAGS! Black SIZE LARGE TALL $89.98 |
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O’Neill Reactor 3/2 Men’s Wetsuit- NEW W/ TAGS! Black SIZE LARGE $89.98 |
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O’Neill Reactor 3/2 Men’s Wetsuit- NEW W/ TAGS! Black SIZE MEDIUM $89.98 |
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O’Neill Reactor 3/2 Men’s Wetsuit- NEW W/ TAGS! Black SIZE SMALL $89.98 |
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NEW 2012 De Soto T1 Black Pearl Pullover Triathlon Wetsuit $199.99 |
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NEW 2012 De Soto T1 Black Pearl Pullover Triathlon Wetsuit $199.99 |
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NEW 2012 De Soto T1 Black Pearl Pullover Triathlon Wetsuit $199.99 |
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NEW 2012 De Soto T1 Black Pearl Pullover Triathlon Wetsuit $199.99 |
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Henderson AquaLock 7mm Wetsuit Boots $35.00 |
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Womens Medium/Large White Stag wet suit reversible $9.99 |