A Wetsuit is a Wetsuit, Right?

Wrong. There are several different types of wetsuits, and the one you choose depends on the water temperature and your intended activity.

Wetsuits are made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber that does a good job of insulating. The thicker the neoprene, the better the insulation, and the warmer you will be. But neoprene doesn’t insulate well when it’s wet, so all wetsuits have special features designed to keep water out and keep you warm.In today’s post from Just Wetsuits, we will be covering the difference between triathlon or open-water swimming wetsuits and surfing/diving wetsuits. Keep reading to learn more and shop our wetsuits today!

Different Kinds of Neoprene

First, surf/dive wetsuits are made of a different kind of neoprene than triathlon/open water wetsuits. These suits are made with open-cell neoprene, meaning the rubber is designed to absorb water into the entire wetsuit. This feature is necessary, especially for divers.

Triathlon/open water wetsuits are made of closed-cell neoprene, designed to repel water. The SCS coating that makes the rubber look all slick creates a further barrier to the water, allowing for less drag. The rubber in these wetsuits never really gets wet- only the liner of the wetsuit absorbs water. 

The Benefits 

The benefit of swimming in a wetsuit designed specifically to repel water and create less drag will provide you with an advantage wearing it when actively swimming, as you do in a triathlon or open-water race. Wearing a surf or dive wetsuit means you will be carrying all the water your wetsuit has absorbed, making you heavier, making you work harder, making you slower. 

So, what does all this mean for you? If you are planning on doing a lot of surfing, or any kind of diving, you will want to get a surf/dive wetsuit. If you are planning on doing any kind of triathlon or open water swimming, you will want to get a triathlon/open water wetsuit to gain a racing advantage that a surf/dive wetsuit simply can not give you! Shop for the best triathlon/open-water wetsuits at Just Wetsuits today!