We stock a wide variety of wet and semi-dry suits, perfect for diving and water sports, suitable for a range of different conditions and scenarios.
How does a wetsuit work? Will it keep me warm?
A wetsuit is a garment, usually made of foamed or compressed neoprene, which is worn by divers, surfers, swimmers and many others engaged in watersports.
Neoprene is made of small, closed cells that are filled with air which provide insulation against cold water by trapping heat in. The thicker the suit's neoprene, and the closer the fit, the warmer the suit will be because it has more heat-trapping insulation.
It is important to research the water temperature (keeping in mind the time of year) at your diving destination, so you can choose the correct neoprene thickness to suit your needs. If the temperatures are cold enough to make your exposed skin go numb, think about using boots, gloves and a hood too.
What is a semi-dry suit?
Semi-dry suits are effectively a thick wetsuit with better-than-usual seals at the wrist, neck and ankles. The seals limit the volume of water entering and leaving the suit. The wearer still gets wet in the suit, but the water that enters is soon warmed up and does not leave the suit readily, so the wearer remains warm. However, some buoyancy and thermal protection is lost when the bubbles compress at depth.
Semi-dry suits come in various configurations, e.g. a single piece or two pieces made of long johns and a separate jacket. They do not usually include boots, so a separate pair of insulating boots are often worn. These suits are typically used where the water temperature is between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F).
Do wetsuits keep you dry?
No, wetsuits are not meant to keep you entirely dry in the water. As detailed above, they are designed to provide a level of thermal protection (dependant on neoprene thickness) but are not designed to stop water from entering the suit. If you are looking to stay completely dry in the water, check out our range of drysuits.
What to wear under a wetsuit?
What you wear under your wetsuit ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Most people don’t wear much under their wetsuits other than swimwear - male divers mostly wear swim shorts or speedos and female divers wear a bikini or a swimsuit. So the answer really is – wear whatever you are most comfortable in.
How to wash, dry and store your wetsuit
Salt water and chlorine can cause the neoprene material of your wetsuit to dry out and ultimately lose its flexibility. To avoid this and maximise the life of your wetsuit, it is important to soak and rinse it after use, and equally as important to ensure it dries effectivity and is stored properly. Follow these easy steps…
1. Soak the wetsuit in a tub of warm fresh water (not over 45°C) for at least 15-20 minutes.
2. After soaking, thoroughly rinse the wetsuit off with fresh water.
3. Place the suit on a thick hanger with all the zips open to ensure maximum air circulation for effective drying and to combat odour.
4. Once fully dry, store your wetsuit in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
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