A wetsuit is basically a second skin. It provides comfort and protection when you are out in the water. In other words, it cuddles you and gives you a feeling warmer in the water.
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Wetsuits are a staple piece of swimming equipment, and it’s easy to see why: they provide a level of insulation that is otherwise missing from the standard swimsuit. It can be tempting to think you can put them on and borrow their thermal properties while not in the water – but how true is this? Do wetsuits keep you warm out of the water?
Yes, wetsuits can keep you warm out of the water, but they are specifically designed to work optimally in the water.
Wetsuits are made of neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber that contains tiny air bubbles. These bubbles help to insulate the body by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your skin. Your body heat warms this water, providing an insulating layer against the cold.
How Does a Wetsuit Keep You Warm?
Wetsuits, predominantly made from synthetic neoprene rubber, leverage the material’s insulating properties to keep you warm. Neoprene is characterized by its small, closed cells filled with air. This structural feature is vital, as air is a poor conductor of heat.
Therefore, the air-filled cells within the neoprene material minimize the transfer of heat from your body to the cold water, acting as an effective insulator.
In addition to the inherent insulation provided by neoprene, the functionality of a wetsuit involves a rather ingenious usage of water. The wetsuit permits a tiny amount of water to seep in when you first enter the water.
Although initially cold, this water swiftly warms up to near body temperature. The suit then proceeds to trap this thin layer of warmed water, preventing it from being replaced by more cold water. The layer of warm water confined within the wetsuit provides a majority of the suit’s insulating effect.
Do Wetsuits Keep You Warm in Cold Water?
Yes, wetsuits are specifically designed to keep you warm in cold water, but their effectiveness depends on the water’s temperature and the wetsuit’s thickness.
Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your skin. Your body heat warms this water, which then serves as an insulating layer against the cold water outside the suit. The wetsuit is made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber containing small air bubbles, providing additional insulation.
What to Wear Under Wetsuit to Keep Warm
The decision on what to wear under a wetsuit depends on the water temperature and the duration of your water activity. Here are some options:
1. Nothing
You typically don’t need to wear anything under a wetsuit for warm water temperatures. The suit is designed to keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between your body and the suit, which is warmed by your body heat.
2. Wetsuit undergarments
In colder waters, you may consider wearing specialized wetsuit undergarments. These are usually made from a thin, flexible material like lycra or spandex, which can add a bit of extra insulation without restricting your movement.
3. Rash guards
Rash guards in short or long-sleeve styles can add a layer of insulation and help prevent skin irritation caused by the wetsuit material. They are typically made of lycra or neoprene.
4. Neoprene hood, gloves, and boots
The extremities are often the first to feel the chill in colder water. Neoprene accessories like a hood, gloves, and boots can provide extra insulation.
5. Thermal rash guards or thermal layers
For colder waters, thermal rash guards or thermal layers made of insulating material can be worn under the wetsuit for extra warmth. These garments are designed to work with your wetsuit to keep you warm.
How Do You Choose the Right Wetsuit Thickness?
Choosing the right wetsuit thickness is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make when purchasing your suit. Not only will it help keep you warm, but it will also help improve your performance in the water by maximizing flexibility and comfort.
Choosing the right wetsuit thickness depends on a few key factors, which include:
1. Water temperature
The first thing to consider when choosing a wetsuit is the temperature of the water you will be surfing in. It is not necessary to wear a wetsuit while surfing in warm, tropical waters (or even some Mediterranean waters!) as you can easily get away with wearing just a pair of surf shorts.
However, if you plan on surfing in colder waters, owning a good quality wetsuit is essential to stay safe and keep yourself warm and comfortable.
2. Body temperature
If you’re like most people, you probably tend to run a little bit colder than most folks. If you’re always chilly and never hot, then you’ll want to opt for a thicker wetsuit that will help warm up your core body temperature.
On the other hand, if you tend to be hot all year round, even in cold weather, then it makes sense that you won’t need as much insulation from your wetsuit. The thinner wetsuits can be good for surfers with high body temperatures or living in warmer climates where water temperatures are naturally higher.
3. Body type
Also, your body type matters when choosing thickness. The more body fat you have and the less muscle mass, the better insulated your body is, and the easier it will stay warm.
Someone with a lot of muscle mass loses heat quicker than others because muscle tissue produces more heat and conducts it away from your body better than fat does. Bonus fact: The thicker your skin is, the easier it is to keep warm as well (so thicker-skinned people have an advantage over thinner-skinned people).
Conclusion
With the right wetsuit, you’ll be comfortable in the water. The neoprene will insulate you against your body’s heat loss when you are in the water. But this insulation isn’t doing you any good when you’re out of the water. It’s all about physics—like any insulation material (like a blanket), air or water needs to be trapped between your body and the neoprene for it to keep you warm. If there is no trapped air to insulate between you and your wetsuit, then your wetsuit does not act as an insulator.
That is why it’s so important that you get properly fitted by a professional. A poorly fitting wetsuit will not insulate you well at all, even if it is made of good-quality neoprene.
