The improvements in wetsuit comfort, warmth and mobility over the last five to ten years have been phenomenal. Today's wet suits come in all sizes, styles and price ranges. Trying to decide just what type of wet suit is right for you can be difficult. Do you need a 3/2, 4/3 or 5/4/3 wet suit? Are seams and the quality of the neoprene important? What are full suits, dry suits, spring suits and Farmer John suits? Should your wet suit be hooded or will you need a jacket? What about thermal shirts, vests, shorts, boots, gloves and nylon caps?
Types of Wet Suits
The type of suit you buy depends on where you plan to ride and how long and what type of cold you will be encountering.
Spring suits are also called "Shorty" suits with pants that fall above or below the knee with long, short or no sleeves. Spring suits are made with thinner neoprene.
Full suits are the standard wet suit with long sleeves and long pants and varying thickness of neoprene.
Farmer John suits get their name because they look like overalls. Farmer John suits come in either long or short pants and usually come with a long sleeve jacket which can be worn over the suit, making it very versatile.
Dry suits are mainly used for comfort. The air temperature in the winter can get colder than the water. A dry suit is like a big balloon wrapped around you. The idea is that no water gets in so the insulation value comes from what you wear under the suit, not the suit itself. Dry suits are made of the same neoprene materials but are equipped with a velcro strap at the wrists and ankles, and smooth-skin seals at water entry points to eliminate water seepage.
Insulation
Wet suits are manufactured in different models depending on the thickness of the neoprene rubber it is made from. This insulation is what keeps you warm. The thicker the suit, the warmer it is.
A 3/2 suit has 3 millimeters thickness of neoprene in the trunk and legs, and 2 millimeter of thickness in the arms. A 3/2 suit is suitable to keep you warm in the cool weather months, but a 4/3 or a 5/4/3 suit will enable you to jet ski all day and all seasons of the year without ever getting cold. For winter riding you may also need the addition of a neoprene hood, booties and gloves to stay really warm.
