Will a 2 mm wetsuit keep me warm? This is a question that many water sports enthusiasts may have. With the winter months approaching, you might think of using your summer wetsuit for your diving adventure.<\/p>\n
The problem is that 2 mm wetsuits can only keep you warm at particular temperatures. In this article, we\u2019ll answer whether or not a 2 mm is effective at keeping you warm. We\u2019ll also discuss wetsuit thicknesses that are suitable for the cold season. So, stick around!<\/p>\n
Read my wetsuit thickness guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n The short answer is that it depends. A 2 mm wetsuit is thin and stretchy. While it provides the best movement flexibility and some warmth, it still isn\u2019t efficient for cold water. Typically, a 2 mm suit is ideal for water temperatures around 62\u00baF and above.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why you\u2019ll usually find those neoprene panels in spring suits and long johns. They\u2019re also used in neoprene tops and bottoms.<\/p>\n So, you can wear those thin panels in the summer and spring and still get warmth, buoyancy, and sun protection. However, a 2 mm wetsuit won\u2019t keep you warm during the cold months. Even worse, wearing thin neoprene suits in low temperatures risks hypothermia<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yes! For the winter, you want to choose thicker neoprene suits to keep you warm. Why? That\u2019s because neoprene is an insulator. It has a foam-like structure<\/a> with tiny chambers. Those spaces hold nitrogen, a poor heat conductor gas.<\/p>\n Thicker wetsuits have more neoprene, which means more tiny chambers that trap gas. As a result, they provide better heat insulation, keeping you warm.<\/p>\n However, those perks come at a cost. The thicker the rubber panels are, the less flexible they become. So, you might find thick wetsuits more restrictive than thin rubber suits.<\/p>\n Generally, wetsuit thicknesses range from 2 mm to 6 mm. Now that we know why thick wetsuits<\/a> work better in cold water, let\u2019s discuss each thickness in further detail!<\/p>\n Similar to 2 mm wetsuits, a 3 mm is also ideal for water temperatures around 62\u00baF. They can, however, keep you warm when the temperature drops to 55.4\u00baF. That makes them perfect for the mid-season between spring and fall.<\/p>\n 3 mm neoprene panels are usually available as full wetsuits. If you find them restrictive, you can buy the 3\/2 thickness. The former has a 3 mm thickness for the torso region.<\/p>\n However, the neoprene panels around the arms and legs have a thickness of 2 mm, offering more flexibility.<\/p>\n 4 mm wetsuits are ideal for colder conditions during the fall. They provide warmth in temperatures as low as 52\u00baF. The cold water wetsuit offers more insulation than 3 mm suits, making it a better option for divers who\u2019ll spend an extended period in the cold ocean.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll usually find most 4 mm wetsuits available as steamers. They can also have hoods attached to the suit to keep your head warm.<\/p>\n Like most wetsuits, 4 mm neoprene panels are thinner around the extremities. The panels have a 3 mm thickness around the legs and arms so that they don\u2019t impair your range of motion.<\/p>\n A 5 mm wetsuit is generally considered a winter<\/a> wetsuit. They\u2019re ideal for a water temperature range of 43\u00baF to 52\u00baF.<\/p>\n The most common full suit thickness is 5\/4\/3 mm wetsuits. The first number represents the torso\u2019s thickness, while the second indicates the neoprene\u2019s thickness around the legs. As for the last number, that\u2019s the rubber\u2019s thickness around the arms, which is 3 mm.<\/p>\n Aside from the wetsuit, divers usually wear a 5 mm hood, gloves, and boots. That\u2019s to provide more heat insulation to warm your extremities.<\/p>\n As you might expect, a 6 mm wetsuit is generally the thickest suit for scuba diving and other water activities.<\/p>\n Typically, 6 mm wetsuits are available in thicknesses of\u00a0 6\/5\/4 mm thickness. As mentioned earlier, the 6 mm is around the torso, where you don\u2019t need much flexibility. The 5 mm rubber is around the legs, while the 4 mm thickness is around the arms.<\/p>\n Almost all divers pair 6 mm with a 5-7 mm hood, gloves, and boots. That combination ensures maximum insulation and warmth. As a result, you can go scuba diving in the winter when the water temperature is 42\u00baF or lower!<\/p>\n Several factors affect how warm a wetsuit will keep you\u2014the thickness alone won\u2019t cut it. Those factors include the wetsuit fitting, the neoprene type, and the seam quality.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s discuss each factor in further detail!<\/p>\nWill a 2MM Wetsuit Keep Me Warm?<\/h2>\n
Do Thicker Warmsuits Keep You Warm?<\/h2>\n
Wetsuit Thickness to Keep You Warm<\/h2>\n
3 MM Wetsuits<\/h3>\n
4 MM Wetsuits<\/h3>\n
5 MM Wetsuits<\/h3>\n
6 MM Wetsuits<\/h3>\n
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Wetsuit for Cold Water<\/h2>\n
Wetsuit Fitting<\/h3>\n