wetsuit

There are neoprene suits for all kinds of sports: surfing, windsurfing, kiting, diving, swimming, etc. Surfing places the highest demands on the neoprene suit, so the suits used for surfing are of extremely high quality. Unlike in other sports, freedom of movement must not be restricted, in addition to the fact that the suit should protect the body from the cold. In principle, the wetsuit for surfing can be used for all other sports - but diving suits are then constructed differently from a certain insulation level. Since the local waters in Switzerland are also subject to large temperature fluctuations, it is worth checking which neoprene is the right one. We are at your disposal by mail, telephone or in an advisory capacity in the shop.

TYPES OF NEOPRENE WETSUITS FOR SURFING

Depending on the water and outside temperature, different types of wetsuits are suitable. For water temperatures from 24 degrees, you don't need a wetsuit. For everything underneath, it is advisable to wear a neoprene suit. The colder the water, the more body surface you want to cover. Which suit you need is determined by the location and the season. It is often a personal preference that some surfers wear a full suit even in "shorty" temperatures.

	Neoprene shirt or lycra The neoprene shirt only covers the chest and back area, the rest is made of Lycra. There are also neo-vests made entirely of neoprene. These shirts are suitable for water temperatures above 20 degrees, where you start to cool down without neoprene despite the warm temperature		shortie Neoprene covers the entire upper body and the bases of the arms and legs.
	spring suit Neoprene covers the entire upper body, legs and upper arms. The combination short leg/long sleeve is also possible		full suit This suit covers the entire body down to the wrists and ankles. Some suits for extremely cold water also have a hood.

How a wetsuit works: The idea is that the body is protected from cooling down. The wetsuit achieves this by retaining a thin layer of water between the suit and the skin. This layer of water is warmed up by our own body heat and protects us from the cold water outside the wetsuit. However, this requires that the wetsuit fits exactly. When we fall, duck dive or rinse, part of the water is exchanged again so that we start to freeze.

In addition to the water layer heated by the body, the neoprene also insulates itself from the cold environment. This ultimately depends on the thickness of the neoprene.

Wetsuit Thickness: Thickness is specified using pairs/trios of numbers. For example, 3/2, 4/3, 5/4/3 stands for the thickness of the neoprene in millimeters at different points. The thickest part is around the body (and on the legs in winter suits) and the thinnest part is in the arms/armpits. The reason for the different construction is that the suit should offer as much freedom of movement as possible. This is essential for surfers in particular when paddling - when diving, for example, you can do without it. 3/2mm suits are standard for summer, while 4/3 and heavier suits are geared more towards winter temperatures. There are surfers who stay in waters that are just above freezing. The right equipment makes it possible, but of course there are certain limitations in terms of comfort.

Try on neoprene: In order to avoid constant rinsing with cold water, the wetsuits have to fit really well. It is also important to ensure that the neck, hands and feet are tightly closed. The best suit is useless if it is worn too big. The material has developed extremely over the past few decades and thanks to its extreme elasticity, everyone will find a suit that suits them. The dry suit feels tighter than a wet one. When trying it on, make sure that the material is in full contact with the body. However, if it restricts breathing and movement too much, then it is too small.

Seams: In addition to the obvious openings, the cold water has other ways of getting into the suit. One of them is at the seams. Here are different types of stitching used in wetsuits:

• Over Lock Stitch: This type of seam is almost no longer represented by well-known manufacturers. You can recognize them by the fact that the seams are also visible on the inside. The seams are extremely robust, but also let a lot of water through the seam holes.
• Flat Lock Stitch: The successor of the "Over Lock Stitch". Increases comfort, but also does not offer perfect protection against water exchange due to the continuous seam holes.
• Blind Stitch: Seam variation for warm suits. Increases comfort and has no through-seam holes, so water ingress can be avoided.
• Basic Blind Stitch and Glued: Stitching is the same as the "Blind-Stitch", no stitching is visible on the inside, only the neoprene panels glued together. Since the neoprene is more elastic than the glue, the seams (in combination with salt water and sun) may not last indefinitely.
• Blind Stitch, Glued and Spot taped: In addition to the "Blind Stitch and Glue", particularly stressed areas are also taped in this variant. These suits are super stretchy, but again at the cost of durability.
• Double Blind Stitch and Glued: The procedure is the same as for "Blind Stitch", but it is used on both sides. The suits are also flexible, but the seam holes (due to being double sided) may be through in some places which in turn allows for water entry.
• Blind Stitch, Glued and Fully Taped: All seams on the inside are additionally sealed with tape. However, production is very expensive, but it is dense and robust.
• Blind stitch, glued and fully neoprene taped: For this purpose, neoprene strips are not used on the inside, but neoprene strips. This has the advantage that the elasticity is more homogeneous.
• Liquid Taping: Latest method of seam sealing. A special rubber is attached over the seams on the inside and outside, so that they are 100% waterproof. Depending on the manufacturer, there are different names for it (e.g. Super Seal)

As described, there are countless variants of seams. Suits with seams that prevent water from entering are called steamers. A great deal of research and development is being carried out in this area in particular. Almost every year there is a "new, revolutionary, definitive, ultimate" invention. Accordingly, suits in the upper segment cost up to CHF 2,000. The question of the meaning of such expensive suits is left open. Since the neoprene loses its elasticity over time, it's kind of a pity if you can't dry suits worth 2000 francs in the sun anymore, because otherwise the lifespan of the suit will be reduced.

WHICH WETSUIT DO I NEED IN SWITZERLAND?

It really depends a lot on which sport you do in which months. River surfers are sometimes exposed to water temperatures below 10 Graud. For standup paddling, we recommend neo-tops in the summer, and maybe a 3/2 in the fall. In winter, however, there is no way around the drysuit.

Many surfers, with Switzerland as their home base, get away with a good 3/2, as the Atlantic rarely falls below the temperature at which it would be too cold with a sealed 3/2. The general rule of thumb with this suit is to put on gloves, hood and boots before you need a heavier wetsuit.