WETSUITS - THE SECOND SKIN FOR ALL WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS

A wetsuit offers protection from cold water, strong sunlight, cold wind and injuries. Regardless of whether you practice windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing or open water swimming, a wetsuit should not be missing from your equipment so that you can continue to pursue your hobby even in cool water and outside temperatures.
As a wetsuit should fit like a second skin and restrict the wearer as little as possible, there are a variety of different models and designs that are tailored to the respective area of use. If you want to buy a wetsuit, you can get general information here in advance and choose the model that suits you best. The wetsuits from GUNSAILS are primarily designed for windsurfers, stand-up paddlers, kitesurfers and wakeboarders. Surfers and divers have special requirements for their wetsuit, but can also use our wetsuits with restrictions.

WHAT IS NEOPRENE ACTUALLY?

Neoprene, the correct name is actually chloroprene rubber, was developed in the 1930s by the chemical giant DuPont and is produced using the emulsion polymerization process. The thermal insulation of foamed neoprene results from the countless small gas bubbles that are distributed throughout the material.
The advantages of the material for water sports enthusiasts are obvious:
Neoprene wetsuits are elastic and stretchy and therefore adapt well to the shape of the body. This is important because thermal insulation is lost if the fit is loose.
The material is very light, robust and also provides a certain amount of buoyancy, depending on its characteristics.

WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A WETSUIT?

THE THICKNESS OF THE WETSUIT

The thickness of the wetsuit, specified in millimetres, determines its thermal insulation. It is therefore important to know the prevailing water and outside temperatures when making your choice. Your own perception of cold is another factor. A typical "frostbite" should always opt for the warmer suit. The subjective perception of cold varies greatly and depends on many variables, e.g. physical fitness, fatigue, wind chill, etc.
For a better overview, our wetsuits and accessories are provided with a rough temperature indication that refers to the outside temperature. As windsurfers, SUP riders and kiters spend more time "above water", this allows for a more realistic assessment.
For example, our warmest wetsuit, Force FZ Semidry Hood, has a thickness of 6/5 mm. This means that the torso area is made of 6 mm neoprene and the extremities of 5 mm neoprene. Typically, slightly thicker neoprene is used in the torso area than in the arms or legs, as maximum flexibility is required there. This wetsuit therefore covers a temperature range of approx. 3 to 10° C air temperature and would therefore be a wetsuit for winter.
Generally speaking, neoprene thicknesses of 6 mm to 8 mm are suitable for use in winter, in spring and fall you can manage with 3-6 mm and in summer temperatures wetsuits under 3 mm are adequate.

THE WETSUIT TYPE

As already mentioned at the beginning, GUNSAILS wetsuits are primarily suits for windsurfers, kiters and all other water sports enthusiasts who spend more time above the surface of the water. In contrast, there are also neoprene diving suits. These are usually dry suits with special cuffs which, in addition to their insulating function, also have to withstand a certain amount of pressure and are constructed differently.
The majority of our wetsuits are semi-dry wetsuits. Semi-dry in this context means that some moisture can penetrate the suit, i.e. they are not 100% waterproof. However, the water entering is limited to a very small amount, which either runs off again or warms up on the skin and is therefore not a problem. The Semidry wetsuit is the ideal combination of insulation, freedom of movement and ease of dressing and undressing.

DIFFERENT SURFACE STRUCTURE OF NEOPRENE

A distinction is made between double-laminated neoprene and smooth-skin neoprene. Double-laminated material, also known as double-lined neoprene, has a textile, matt surface, the neoprene is stretchy and very resistant. However, the wind chill factor is more noticeable with a wet suit than with a smooth-skin wetsuit. The smooth-skin suit has a rubbery, smooth surface on which the water can run off better. It dries faster, the wind chill factor is lower and the suit appears warmer. The disadvantage of smooth-skin suits is that they are more sensitive. Contact with the rough board surface, stones or even long fingernails that claw into the suit when putting it on can damage the surface more quickly. When putting the suit on, you should make sure that you only grip the suit with your fingers, preferably your thumb and index finger. Then only pull upwards gradually so as not to overstretch the material and cause tears. But don't panic, minor damage to smooth-skin suits can be repaired with neoprene glue.
Modern suits are often constructed from a mixture of these different surfaces, usually with smooth skin on the torso and double-laminated neoprene on the extremities.

IMPORTANT QUALITY FEATURE: THE SEAMS

Different types of seams are used depending on the quality level and area of use. Lightweight summer suits with low neoprene thicknesses are usually connected with a flatlock seam. The seam is robust and water-permeable, but this is not a problem with summer neoprene.
Higher quality wetsuits with a better level of thermal insulation are sewn using the glued blind stitched method. First the individual neoprene patches are glued together, then a blind stitch seam is applied. This is not visible from the outside, but can be recognized by turning the suit inside out. This also means that the material is not completely punctured, this type of seam is waterproof. High-end models such as those in our Force series also have a seam seal, which virtually prevents water from penetrating and significantly reduces the phenomenon of thermal bridging at the seam.

THE WETSUIT MODEL

What do the numbers such as 4/3 mean?
The thickness of a wetsuit is given in mm and is not normally evenly applied over the whole body. It is common for the upper body to be one millimeter thicker than the arms and legs, which need to be more flexible and less sensitive to cold due to movement. The common designations are 6/5, 5/4, 4/3 or 3/2 to differentiate the thickness on different parts of the body, with the first number indicating the neoprene thickness on the torso and the second number the thickness on the extremities.
The shorty, which also includes the overknee, is a classic summer suit for warm temperatures with material thicknesses between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. The shorty has short sleeves and legs and offers maximum freedom of movement. It protects against splashing water and UV exposure and is practical if you are going to be on the water for a long time in summer. With an overknee, the knees are also protected, not only from the cold but also from chafing on the board surface.
The steamer, also known as a short sleeve wetsuit, is short-sleeved and has long legs. The neoprene thicknesses are usually between 3 and 5 mm (3/2, 4/3, rarely 5/4). It is ideal for temperatures between 17 and 25° C.
A fullsuit or steamer LS (LS stands for long sleeve) has material thicknesses between 3 and 7 mm and can be used throughout the season, with thicknesses of 6 mm and more also in winter. Fullsuits offer the best overall protection, as all extremities are covered in neoprene. Examples from our collection are the semidry suits from the Vision or Force series, e.g. the Vision BZ Semidry 5/4.
There are also variations of the wetsuit models such as the Long John or the Monoshorty, both summer suits without sleeves and zippers. The lack of sleeves makes them particularly suitable for stand-up paddlers, as the freedom of movement in the shoulders is not restricted by a tight suit. They are also easier and quicker to put on and take off.

NEOPRENE ACCESSORIES

In addition to the classic wetsuits, there are also lots of useful neoprene accessories.
Neoprene shoes or neoprene boots not only keep your feet warm, but also protect the bottoms of your feet from the rough surface of the board or stony ground on the shore.
The situation is similar with neoprene gloves. In addition to the insulating effect, they protect the palms of the hands from the surface of the boom, the kite bar or the handle bar when wakeboarding. Not all of us are out and about with our equipment all year round and have collected enough calluses. A summer surf vacation can quickly come to an end when large blisters decorate the palms of your hands. Half-finger gloves are the ideal companion here.
Neoprene or Lycra tops, also known as rashguards, protect against UV radiation and abrasions. They can also be worn under any wetsuit to provide an additional layer of insulation. Just like neoprene shorts, a useful accessory that protects the pelvis and kidney area from splashing water when surfing in warm water.
And of course there is also plenty of protection against the cold for the head, from neoprene headbands to neoprene beanies and neoprene winter hats.

NEOPRENE WETSUIT SIZE CHART

When buying a wetsuit, pay particular attention to the size. The wetsuit should fit snugly, but not too tightly. A wetsuit that is too small will restrict you and affect your freedom of movement. Our men's wetsuit size chart provides a good guide to the right size. If you are not quite sure, please contact our service team for advice. A size exchange is also no problem at GUNSAILS.