So what are the advantages of wearing a wetsuit? It is necessary to wear a wetsuit in order to protect yourself from the elements, as they allow swimmers, surfers and divers to stay warm in chilly waters. Wetsuits are a crucial section of clothing for many water activities as they have several protective properties. Not only will wetsuits help you keep warm underwater, they are also able to shield you from skin abrasions while diving, as well as shielding you against the sunlight. True enough, this is not its main function – but it is an additional advantage.
Osprey wetsuits are composed of neoprene, which is the material that insulates your suit, keeping your body heat in. Neoprene is a unique synthetic rubber material which is made up of several air pockets. The material lets water directly in, and produces a thin layer which draws heat out of your body. This layer preserves the heat, helping keep the cold out and is vital in preventing hypothermia. Osprey wetsuits are lightweight, flexible and properly insulated and embrace your body tightly around the throat, arms and ankles preventing water from entering.
Wetsuits come in many sizes and are available for men, women and children. The main differences between suits are the thickness of the suit and the style of the suit. Osprey wetsuits are found in a selection of colours and styles such as full cut, sleeveless and short cut. The thickness of wetsuits varies from 1 mm to 10 mm. The thicker the suit, the more insulation occurs. A 1 mm suit offers little warmth and is considered a dive skin as opposed to a wetsuit. Wetsuits that are 3 mm thick are perfect for spring and summer weather conditions – they are thick enough to keep you warm and allow movement. Thicker wetsuits such as 5 mm are perfect for colder climates and keep you warm during winter months.