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. Winter wetsuits are steamers with a 5mm body
and 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 to May.
WHAT IS TITANIUM Titanium is a metal similar to
Aluminium and Magnesium.
It works by reflecting body heat in the same way as tin foil and survival blankets.
A nice fitting, well made suit is more important than having it made out of titanium.
Most of the major manufacturers including Alder are stopping the use of
Titanium.
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
Also known as S or
Super Seal. A type of rubber applied to the inside seams in liquid form to achieve
a 100% watertight seal and add to the overall strength of the seam. Liquid Taping is 'the'
best thing to happen in wetsuit design in recent years and if you're paying £140 or more
for a suit and it doesn't have Liquid Taping , you're being ripped off!
Firewall
AIROCORE Firewall from Yamamoto
is a light, warm and very comfortable thermal lining, knitted with Tetron Polyester
Hollow yarn which contains large volumes of inert air. This air is key to it's high
insulating property. Firewall has a low water absorption, wicks moisture away from the body
and is quick drying plus it has excellent 4-way stretch
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.
Spanflex
Spanflex adjustable collar
is super stretch neoprene lined with Lycra to give a snug and comfortable rash-free fit
Flatlock
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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MEN'S SUMMER SUITS

Sola Nytro 3mm Shorty
A high quality shorty wetsuit at a great price. Colours Black
Price £45
View Size Chart Product Ref IMP02
~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Impact
3mm Shorty
A high quality shorty wetsuit with stretchy sleeves at a great price.
Price
ONLY £45 View Size Chart Product Ref IMP02
~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Impact
3mm Full
A full length summer suit with stretch sleeve and shoulders. A
well
built comfortable suit at a great price. Colours Black with Blue or Red
Price
£65
View Size Chart Product Ref IMP01
~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Stealth
3/2mm A full length 3/2mm summer suit with
super stretch sleeve and shoulders and 100% sealed seams. A very comfortable and warm summer suit.
Price
£90 View Size Chart Product Ref
STH01
~~~~~~~~~~

Sola Nytro 3mm A full length 3mm summer suit with. A very comfortable and warm summer suit.
Price
£60
inc. FREE UK Postage View Size Chart Product Ref
COR32
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Freeride 3/2mm
A 100% super stretch neoprene 3mm Summer suit with
back-flap, 100% super stretch and liquid taped in high stress areas. A very comfortable and warm summer suit.
Price
£99 View Size Chart Product Ref
SLM32
MEN'S 5mm & 6mm SUITS
Sola
Core
5/4/3mm double lined, blind stitched.
hard wearing. Excellent value. ,Price £90 RRP
£120
View
Size Chart

Alder
Stealth
5/4/3mm
double lined. 100% sealed seam . Super stretch neoprene on arms &
shoulders. Unbeatable value for money All Sizes
Price
£110
View
Size Chart Product
Ref. MSTHS5/3
~~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Freeride
5/3mm Steamer
Alder's new mid range
5/4/3mm steamer. 100% Superstretch neoprene. Taped seams, in high stress areas.
Batwing zip anti-flushing system.
Price £130
View
Size Chart Product
Ref. SL5/3
~~~~~~~~~~~
 Alder
Drifter 5/4/3mm
100% Super stretch
neoprene. Batwing zip flap and integral collar i.e. no water through the zip! Firewall
thermal system on chest and back. 60% Taped seams.
Price
£1 50 View Size Chart Product
Ref.
MDFT5?3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alder Evo Front Zip Steamer
5/4/3mm front
zip steamer. 5mm body and legs.
Super stretch everywhere 100% liquid taped seams.
Price
£195 View Size Chart Product
Ref. EVO5/3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6mm Alder
Hooded Evo Front Zip
6/5/4mm front
zip steamer. 6mm body 5mm legs.
Super stretch everywhere 100% liquid taped seams. None hooded version available.
Price
£250 View Size Chart Product
Ref. EVO64
Check
out individually priced clearance suits
on
Sale in the Bargains
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All the Men's Suits come with a
12 month warranty against the seams splitting and the zips breaking
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