scuba diving wetsuit

What is the difference between a wetsuit for scuba diving, surfing, and kitesurfing?

I don’t understand the difference between wetsuits and the differences. I scuba dive, surf, and kite surf, and want someone to explain the type of wetsuit I would want for each. Also, what do the numbers 4/3 etc mean when you are talking about a wetsuit? Thanks for the help. Points for the best answer.

First of all, if you are already diving, surfing, Kite-surfing etc., why don’t you talk to the people in the dive or surf shops that you do business with. They are full of great information, and they know far more about local water temperatures and conditions than we do out here in cyberspace. We don’t know you, or where you surf & dive.

There are really three types of wet suits that I know of. Surfing wet suits have a greater degree of flexibility at the joints and have a back zipper (so your are not chafing on a zipper when laying on your belly paddling). Scuba suits tend to have less flexibility, often come in thicker versions and more often zip up the front, so a zipper doesn’t chafe you back from your backpack and tank. General purpose wet suits are a little rarer, but they are what of jet skiers and kayakers wear. Although all of the jet skiers and kayakers I know personally wear suits originally designed for either surfing or diving.

When I started surfing and diving 43 years ago, we all wore the same wet suits for both swimming and diving. Of course Mr. O’Neill revolutionized the industry, and things are the way today. Unfortunately, I had to stop diving in the 70s, but I still surf year round, and wear a variety of wet suits.

As much as design is a consideration, the difference in thickness makes a big difference in the application of a wet suit. As I guy who used to dive, I know there is a considerable in heat body heat loss at 100 feet diving than there is sitting on the surface surfing. The numbers that you mentioned, are thicknesses expressed in milimeters. So a 4/3 has some 4 mil neoprene, and some 3 mil neoprene. The thinnner stuff is usually used at flex points.

The only way to get the “right” wet suit is at a dive or surf or sport shop, where you take the time to try on different models. Every manufactuer’s sizing varies slightly, and proper fit is important.

Your ‘Best Answer’ won’t come from anybody on line. Like I said, talk to the local guys who can tell you what is popular in your area and what works best for your area. I could tell you exactly what type and thickness suits I wear in different seasons, but how would that help you? Good luck.

Mens Wet Suit TYPHOON RAPTOR Semi Dry Wetsuit – 7,5,4mm – RRP £170 – Scuba Dive £139.95

Mens Wet Suit TYPHOON RAPTOR Semi Dry Wetsuit – 7,5,4mm – RRP £170 – Scuba Dive £139.95

Mens Wet Suit TYPHOON RAPTOR Semi Dry Wetsuit – 7,5,4mm – RRP £170 – Scuba Dive £139.95

Mens Wet Suit TYPHOON RAPTOR Semi Dry Wetsuit – 7,5,4mm – RRP £170 – Scuba Dive £139.95

Small Poseidon 5mm Scuba Diving Dive Neoprene Divers Drysuit Wetsuit Gloves £25.95

XL Poseidon 5mm Scuba Diving Dive Neoprene Divers Drysuit Wetsuit Gloves £25.95

wetsuits, scuba diving, snorkelling, £0.99

MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Diving Wetsuit 5mm – Frontal Zipper + Free Hood NEW £134.95

MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Diving Wetsuit 5mm – Frontal Zipper + Free Hood NEW £134.95

MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Diving Wetsuit 5mm – Frontal Zipper + Free Hood NEW £134.95

MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Diving Wetsuit 5mm – Frontal Zipper + Free Hood NEW £134.95

MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Diving Wetsuit 5mm – Frontal Zipper + Free Hood NEW £134.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Dive 5mm, Frontal Zipper+ Free Hood £134.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES PIONEER Semi Dry Scuba Dive 5mm, Frontal Zipper+ Free Hood £134.95

Black Neoprene Scuba Diving Hood Mask Wetsuit Jumpsuit £8.19

Aqua Lung 5mm Koral King wetsuit boots scuba diving £9.99

Scuba diving fin mask snorkel wet suit bag (beach boat rucksack day sack) £25.99

Scuba Diving Oceanic Pioneer 3mm One Piece Mens Wet Suit Extra Large XL #J475 £99.89

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF She Dives 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £94.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF She Dives 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £85.00

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF She Dives 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £94.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF She Dives 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £94.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF Shortie 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £59.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF Shortie 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £59.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF Shortie 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £59.95

Wetsuit LADIES MARES REEF Shortie 3mm Wet Suit – Scuba Diving Surf Kayak Swim £59.95

Scuba diving DRY SUIT wetsuit RIB boat ADHESIVE glue HYPALON rubber SEAL latex ! £21.99

Scuba diving DRY SUIT wetsuit RIB boat ADHESIVE glue HYPALON rubber SEAL latex ! £13.99

Scuba Diving DRY/ WET SUIT neoprene repair BLACK WITCH glue ADHESIVE seals DIVE £4.99

Scuba diving KIT BAG dive MASK snorkel FINS BOAT bcd MESH holdall WET SUIT DRY ! £24.99

Scuba diving ladies 5mm semidry wetsuit Beuchat semi dry wetsuit large with hood £100.00

Mares Reef Full Mens Wet Suit Scuba Diving 3mm NEW Style Cool Look £75.12

Mares Reef Full She Dive Wet Suit Scuba Diving 3mm NEW Style Cool Look £75.12

Marlin Wetsuit, surfing, water sports canoeing sailing diving scuba snorkelling £40.00

Typhoon XTS Coral 7/5/4 Ladies Large UK Size 16 Scuba Diving Wet Suit #J525 £159.95

Oceanic Pioneer Mens XL 5mm Full One Piece Wetsuit Scuba Diving Snorkel #J524 £179.99

Oceanic Pioneer Mens S 5mm Full One Piece Wetsuit Scuba Diving Snorkel #J526 £179.99

New Beaver Wetsuit Tech Boots Scuba Diving Gear Size 12 £19.95

Bare Velocity 3/2mm Mens ML One Piece Full Wetsuit Scuba Diving Snorkel #J527 £99.99

Wetsuit BLOWOUT SALE! Polartec Dive Skins – SCUBA – M – L – XL – XXLARGE – COLOR £25.24

BEAVER 7mm WETSUIT JACKET XL 44″ SCUBA/DIVING/SNORKELLING £24.99

ALDER TITANIUM LADIES SHORTIE WETSUIT SURFING SNORKELLING SCUBA DIVING £9.99

ARCTIC Off-Shore Pro Size M Ladies Scuba Diving Kit/Wetsuit/Spiro Regulator £99.95

2 X Size M/S Unisex Scuba Diving Kit/Wetsuits With Spiro Regulator /Fins £139.95

NEW JET SKI AQUA DIVERS DIVING SCUBA SURF WETSUIT BOOTS SIZES 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 £14.99

SCUBA Diving Gear Equipment Neoprene Wetsuit Wet Suit Farmer John No Reserve £0.63

SCUBA Diving Gear Equipment Wetsuit Wet Suit Top Jacket Small No Reserve £0.63

Water Pro Scuba Diving Fashion 5mm Vest Wetsuit XXS-XL £37.97

Ladies Zero 4mm Wetsuit scuba diving £10.00

scuba diving O’Neill Womens Explore 3mm Dive Wetsuit £49.00

Henderson H2 Hyperstretch Titanium Scuba Diving Wetsuit

scuba diving wetsuit AMAZON PRODUCTS BELOW

Keychain with the image of: diver, jumping, wetsuit, scuba, diving £2.99 * Durable acrylic key chain is crystal-clear and double-sided so the artwork or message is seen twice.* Sturdy metal ring holds your keys securely.* Full color printed images or messages are included.* If you have new ideas or need help selecting text for your custom keychains please contact us.* Size: 2 1/8″ x 3 1/2″ (Approx. business card)….

100% Cotton Apron with image: diver, jumping, wetsuit, scuba, diving £7.49 100% cotton, natural kitchen apronFront pocketSize: 31.5″ x 19.3″ (80 x 49 cm)…

Photographic Print of South Pacific, Fiji, Kadavu from AWL Discover Images.com £14.99 12×8 Photograph (30x20cm). South Pacific, Fiji, Kadavu. Conservation volunteers enjoying the process of dive training on Dravuni Island….

Osprey OSX Unisex 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit Boots. Size UK 3 £5.97 These great Wetsuit Boots are made by Osprey and are perfect for wearing in the sea. They have a strong sole with an excellent grip and cover the ankle. The top of the Boot is made of Neoprene which is a stretchy material, perfect for moulding around the top of the foot, which makes them very comfortable. The Boots have a toggle at the front of them which allows the wearer to tighten or loosen t…

Decorated Mouse Pad with diver image £5.99 Professional “Brite White” fabric mouse pads are among the most versatile and durable, providing brilliant graphic reproduction for spot color or full color imprints. This durable polyester surface is above industry standards and provides a superior product value overall. Designed to reproduce vibrant detailed images. Our mouse pads have white fabric top with the 100% genuine black rubber base (n…

Diving Equipment, Including: Scuba Set, Sonar, Snorkeling, Aqua-Lung, Wetsuit, Glow Stick, Dry Suit, Dive Tables, Rebreather, Remotely Operated Und £15.81 …

Trespass Scuba Mens Shorts Wetsuit …

Trespass Scuba Boys Shorts Wetsuit The Trespass childrens Scuba wetsuit is perfect for young surfers with heat retention technology fabrics to keep them warmer for longer so they can max out there skills in the water….

Party Decoration Necktie with diver, jumping, wetsuit, scuba, diving £5.99 …

Beaver Splash Scuba Diving Dive Boots – Size 9 £28.79 Flexible soled 6mm boot with sturdy zip. Reinforced rubber heels and toe sections for improved durability….