Wetsuits are certainly the most essential piece of equipment needed for scuba diving. But, you might be surprised to find that these suits can get quite expensive\u2014some as high as four digits! So why are wetsuits so expensive?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s dive deep into this to further understand what makes wetsuits vary in price.<\/p>\n
Purchasing a wetsuit is an investment! Wetsuits are designed to protect you by keeping you as warm<\/a> as possible, no matter the climate you\u2019re in.<\/p>\n Many factors can affect the cost of a wetsuit, including its intended use, the materials used to make it, and its durability.<\/p>\n First, let\u2019s understand the different styles of wetsuits available. There are essentially two kinds\u2014spring suits and full suits.<\/p>\n Spring suits (or \u201cshorties\u201d) have short sleeves that end before the elbow and above the knee. These suits are typically meant for moderate to warm climates.<\/p>\n Full suits cover the entire body down to the wrists and ankles. These are usually more suitable for colder climates.<\/p>\n Needless to say, full suits are more expensive than spring suits because they use more material. Additionally, smaller-sized suits (or children\u2019s suits) are more affordable as well.<\/p>\n There are also partial wetsuits available that have just the top half or the bottom half. Since they cover only half the body, these are also meant for warmer climates and are more budget-friendly.<\/p>\n The most common material used to make wetsuits<\/a> is neoprene.<\/p>\n Neoprene<\/a> is a synthetic rubber that provides fairly good insulation and flexibility for the diver. You\u2019ll find most entry-level wetsuits are made of neoprene and are reasonably priced.<\/p>\n Mid-range suits can be made of spandex or lycra. Both are types of lightweight, synthetic fiber, and they provide good flexibility and range of motion. Typically, spandex works best for diving, while most manufacturers go for lycra when making surfing wetsuits.<\/p>\n Higher-end wetsuits get a bit more technical with titanium, which is a thin metallic alloy coating over the neoprene layer. These suits provide superior insulation and are the most durable.<\/p>\n The thickness of the suit is one of the deciding factors for how divers choose their wetsuits. The thicker the suit, the more insulation it provides, and\u2014as you guessed\u2014the pricier it is!<\/p>\n There are a few factors to consider when choosing the thickness of a wetsuit<\/a>. These include the presence of potentially harmful sea creatures, the depth of your dive, or what part of the country you live in<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition to a wetsuit preventing you from catching hypothermia, a thick suit could also protect you from jellyfish stings!<\/p>\n Most wetsuits go between 3 mm to 5 mm thick, but you can find some as thin as 1 mm or as thick as 7 mm.<\/p>\nStyle<\/h3>\n
Materials<\/h3>\n
Thickness<\/h3>\n