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SUMMER
SUITS AND SHORTIE SUITS
Many
people think a Shortie with short arms and legs is a summer suit and a
suit with
long arms and legs isn't ! However it all depends on water temperature.
In the
UK, as a guide, a Shorty suit is for short periods in the water on
warmer summer
days. they are ideally suited to taking off and putting back on several
times a
day, perfect for younger children. Shorties are nearly always 3/2mm and
if any
thinner virtually useless in the UK.
Summer
suits in the UK are 3/2mm usually long legged and sleeves but sometimes
have
short or detachable sleeves. If you go for the short sleeve option then
you will
be colder on cooler less sunny days even with the detachable sleeves on
whist in
the water. Summer suits have either Flatlocked or sealed seams. Sealed
seam
suits are usually glued & blind stitched ( sometimes called cup
stitching).
The more expensive better quality suits are also liquid taped for added
strength
and longevity. Flatlocked seams are very strong but will let water
through.
WINTER
WETSUITS & STEAMERS
A
Steamer is a suit with sealed seams, usually achieved by cup or blind
stitching. This stops the majority of cold water from entering the suit
once your body has initially heated it up. Ladies Winter wetsuits are steamers with a
5mm body, 4mm legs for warmth
and 3mm arms for manoeuvrability. These are usually described as 5mm
or 5/3mm or 5/4/3mm.
Winter
suits should really be described as
Three or
Four Season Suits, as they are essential in the UK and northern Europe from
September through Winter to May.
WETSUIT CARE
Your
wetsuit should last for many years if some simple guidelines are
followed -
- Rinse well in
fresh water after every use
- Do not leave for
lengthy periods in direct sunlight
- Turn the right way out
when dry
- Store flat and un-creased or on wide shouldered
plastic coat hanger.
- Don't leave
tightly packed, especially if sandy and wet
- Don't put in the
washing machine or tumble dryer
- Don't iron.
- Don't wash with
detergent or bleach.
- Use a mild solution of Miltons or a specific wetsuit shampoo
or hair
conditioner
to
remove excessive smells. But only
occasionally.
- Super stretch suits are best kept flat and
folded behind the knees and then in half. Only use a hanger for short
periods of time and use as wide a hanger as possible.
Mesh or Single lined
Mesh is
the term for neoprene without the usual external nylon coating. It is
very flexible and thus more comfortable than double lined neoprene and
also warmer in strong winds.
Mesh
should only be used in carefully chosen areas of the suit as it is more
prone to damage from sharp objects.
Super
Stretch
Also
known as "X" Stretch Neoprene. Developed for excellent stretch
and memory. Hard wearing stretch nylon on the outside with softer super
stretch nylon on the inside provides excellent comfort and fit.
Liquid
Taping
& Taped Seams
Also
known as S or Super Seal. A type of rubber applied to the inside
or outside seams in liquid form to achieve
a 100% watertight seal and add to the overall strength of the seam.
Liquid Taping can 'snap' as
the suit
is stretched
whilst dressing so narrow neoprene tape is being used by some
manufactures
instead
If you're paying
£150 or more for a suit that doesn't have any taped seams , you're being ripped off!
Double
Lined
A double lined suit is quite simply a suit that has a lining on the
inside and a similar covering on the outside of the suit.
Flatlock stitching is a strongly stitched seam that
leaves a flat seam on the inside of the suit as well as the outside.
Blind
Stitching
Blind
or cup stitching is stitching that does not go through the suit to the
other
side and so does not let water through. This is what makes a steamer
warmer than
a summer suit as well as the thicker neoprene. It also makes it more
expensive
as the seams are glued by hand before the stitching. If the suit is
then liquid
taped you get extra strength and water tightness on the seams, well
worth the
extra cash.
Batwing
zip flap
This
stops any water from entering the suit through the zip and means the
water has
to come up and over the collar to enter the suit. So it keeps you much
warmer in
the winter months.
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