Here is a section dedicated to helping you understand what a wetsuit is all about.

Neoprene: A closed cell rubber foam, lined on one or two sides with a jersey fabric. It is the lining that dictates the stretch within the suit. There are many names for the variations of superstretch fabric, but far less differences between them, each offering a similar level of stretch. However, bear in mind, the more stretch, the less durability. More durable neoprenes should be used in the knees and in some circumstances in the seat panel, where the need for durability out weighs the requirement for stretch.

Seams: To make a WETSUIT suit fit well it must be made of a number of panels, hence the need for seams. More panels will make a better fit, but will reduce the flexibility of a suit (seams are inherently less flexible than sheet neoprene). Less panels, therefore less seams, mean more flexibility, but a poorer fit.

Where these seams run is crucial. They should never be allowed to infringe on paddle areas (under the arms or across the shoulders) and should be kept away from areas susceptible to rubbing  around the neck and behind the knees.

There are two common types of stitching; Flatlocked and Blindstitched.
Flatlocked stitching: Is very strong and flexible, but allows water to seep through the needle holes. This makes it suitable for inexpensive summer suits, but would be inadequate for winter suits.

Blindstitching: Is a process where the needle does not pass through both sides of the neoprene. This creates a much more water tight seam. The seams are glued before stitching, so this method is commonly known as Glued and Blindstitched, or GBS. As it is a more intensive process it is normally found on the more expensive suits.

Liquid Sealed Seams: By coating the seams with a flexible rubber compound, you can keep a suit warmer by preventing water penetration through submerged seams. This does reduce the flexibility of the seam so should only be used in crucial areas.

Overlock Stitching:
Overlock is the SIMPLEST, LEAST EXPENSIVE CONSTRUCTION METHOD. Two edges of neoprene are rolled together with a thread stitched lightly around them. A characteristic of Overlock is the ridge of neoprene protruding on the inside of wet- suit, it also allows water to penetrate the seam. This type of stitch can only be used on neoprene up to 3mm thick and is therefore only really suitable for summer conditions.

Flatlock Stitching:
Achieved by lapping the neoprene together, this creates a FLAT, COMFORTABLE SEAM but it also allows water to penetrate. Only suitable for Wetsuits up to 3mm thick and summer conditions.

Flatlock is identified by a band of interlocked thread on both sides of the suit, sometimes in contrasting thread colour for visual effect.

Blindstitching:
Produced by gluing and then butting together the two adjoining pieces of neoprene, followed by stitching that does not penetrate through to the other side of the neoprene. This is a watertight method of construction and is also the most comfortable option, all winter Wetsuits should be made this way.

A heat welded tape can be placed over the seam on the inside to further strengthen seams, this should only be used in key stress areas as using tape on the whole suit reduces stretch of the neoprene and therefore the comfort of a wetsuit.

How many panels are needed to make a good suit ?
On the one hand there is the view that the weakest part of any suit is the seam, so less seams means a stronger suit. The counter argument is that there have to be seams for the suit to have any shape. Neoprene is not like steel; you can’t bend it into shape, you have to cut it and cuts need seams. The more cuts there are the better the suit will fit because it will have more shape. There is sense in both arguments but again, the difference in strength in modern suits is not large and the different feel of the suits can count for as much as the relative brute-force-resistance factors.

What is the differnce between Smoothskin and Double-lined ? 
Smoothskin: All neoprene used in wetsuits is black, smoothskin is the shiny black neoprene rubber “in the raw”.

Double-lined : The colour-coating or layer of material that is laminated onto the Smoothskin, giving the (double-lined) option for colour. So what are the pros and cons of these two techniques?

Smooth Skin advantages: Increased flexibility and comfort due to the single-lining. Increased wind-resistance from lack of fabric outer lining. Disadvantages include: Increased fragility to snags and tears.

Double Lining Advantages: Increase in durability, as it protects the actual neoprene from snagging and tearing. However, double lining adds weight and expense and decreases flexibility. There is a slight increase in insulation, but that outer lining also holds water on the outside of the suit, which can increase the effect of windchill and thus counteracting the extra insulation value.

What is Blindstiching and why is it important?
The blindstitch is a stitch that only goes halfway through the material, done with a curved needle rather like the ones doctors use to stitch up their patients. When the needle goes right through the neoprene (as in an ‘overlocked’ stitch) the result is a series of holes to let in water, drastically reducing the thermal insulation of the suit (but perfectly alright for summer use). Instead, the blind- stitch turns through 180° without appearing on the other side. To give the seam added strength the ends of the neoprene are glued first and then stitched to form a watertight seal. For more information on stitching click here.

Should seams be taped ?
There are two schools of thought. One is that taping seams adds to their strength. The other states that taping reduces flexibility and as winter suits are generally pretty thick and bulky anyway, anything that makes it even more inflexible has to be a drawback. A compromise is to tape only those areas put under the most stress, such as points where three or four seams meet, for example where the sleeve along the underside of the arm meets the body. Otherwise the argument boils down to strength versus suppleness. One further word though, even suits which do not have fully taped joints are still tough. It is more a matter of very tough and even tougher rather than weak and strong.

What is Titanium all about ?
Titanium lining between the neoprene and the nylon inner lining reflects body heat back into the suit. Manufacturers claim that it reduces heat loss by 10-20% depending on who you listen to. We can’t really comment on the numbers, but the general consensus is that the suits do feel warmer.

Is a modern wetsuit going to offer me anything more than the suit I’ve been perfectly happy with for the past three seasons?
Wetsuit technology is somewhat akin to sail technology - a modern sail may not look that different to one from three years ago, but put an older sail next to a newer one and you’ll most certainly notice the difference.

Likewise with wetsuits - while they may not look that different apart from the obligatory annual colour-tweaking, they’re actually getting better and better. The modern suit is a supremely comfortable, well-fitting and very well engineered specimen, and a definite improvement on suits of yesteryear.

Why pay for a thicker wetsuit when my summer suit will at least keep the ice out of the bloodstream?
We have said it before and we will say it again, cold is a killer. Anyone sailing in cold (spring/fall) wind and weather conditions will find their body heat simply being sucked out of them if the suit they are wearing isn’t up to the job.

Windsurfing in colder weather can be great fun; there’s usually more wind, more waves at the coast, and a much higher likelihood of getting out most weekends - but cold hands cannot grip a boom properly. A cold body suffers from reduced performance and what might be a comfortable wind in summer can become overpowering and dangerous in colder weather. Yes its another expense, but it improves performance, enjoyment and safety.

If your summer suit is blind-stitched and fairly waterproof, then it may well do for the warmer days, particularly if you wear a an additional thermal layer underneath for a bit of added insulation. However, if your summer suit is a skimpy little overlocked number, then, well, it’s your funeral…

Tags: For Beginners, Gear Advice, Wetsuits, Windsurfing //