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half/full length wetsuits
Is it possible to get a full length wetsuit ie it comes to your wrists and ankles but with zipps (roughly elbow/knees length like a short wetsuit) which, when undone make it a half length wetsuit?
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In simple terms ... I don't think so.
Because ...
1. Due to the additional cost and difficulty of "waterproofing" and joints, seals or zip, manufacturers try to minimize the number of zips on their suits.
2. If you want a wetsuit/semidry for cold, and not so cold, conditions, manufacturers will encourage you to buy 2 suits.
Because ...
1. Due to the additional cost and difficulty of "waterproofing" and joints, seals or zip, manufacturers try to minimize the number of zips on their suits.
2. If you want a wetsuit/semidry for cold, and not so cold, conditions, manufacturers will encourage you to buy 2 suits.
Hi Mollykins
I go scuba diving in lots of places too, because I'm a BS-AC Diving Instructor.
Yes, zips are waterproof. But ... making them waterproof involves seams, stiches, glue, etc. That creates bulk, and expense.
Also, it's easy to make a waterproof zip on a big, flat area ... like up your back. It's hard to do it on a small, curved area, like round an arm or a leg.
If you want an "adaptable" suit, have you thought about a traditional two piece? You can wear the top, without the legs. Or you can wear the bottoms, without the jacket. Or you can wear the whole lot.
Alternatively, get a shortie, but with "non neoprene" protection for the arms and legs ... lycra will give you some insulation because it reduses the flow of water across your skin.
J x
I go scuba diving in lots of places too, because I'm a BS-AC Diving Instructor.
Yes, zips are waterproof. But ... making them waterproof involves seams, stiches, glue, etc. That creates bulk, and expense.
Also, it's easy to make a waterproof zip on a big, flat area ... like up your back. It's hard to do it on a small, curved area, like round an arm or a leg.
If you want an "adaptable" suit, have you thought about a traditional two piece? You can wear the top, without the legs. Or you can wear the bottoms, without the jacket. Or you can wear the whole lot.
Alternatively, get a shortie, but with "non neoprene" protection for the arms and legs ... lycra will give you some insulation because it reduses the flow of water across your skin.
J x
Chuck
Although the suit initially fills with water, once it is wet inside, you don't want the water to "flush" ... otherwise is will get cold inside.
However, I agree to some extent ... the amount of water/warmth lost through a small zip would be negligible. But it would be irritating to have cold points on your arms or legs.
The main zip on a wet suit is all the way up/across the back. That does need to be waterproof, or you'd get too much flushing.
My full length wet suit has cuff and ankle zips. Once you zip the up, they are watertight. Once the suit has filed with water, there is no flushing.
Although the suit initially fills with water, once it is wet inside, you don't want the water to "flush" ... otherwise is will get cold inside.
However, I agree to some extent ... the amount of water/warmth lost through a small zip would be negligible. But it would be irritating to have cold points on your arms or legs.
The main zip on a wet suit is all the way up/across the back. That does need to be waterproof, or you'd get too much flushing.
My full length wet suit has cuff and ankle zips. Once you zip the up, they are watertight. Once the suit has filed with water, there is no flushing.
LOL, Jayne,
I know all about wetsuits (the only sport I ever excelled at was swimming)
you have hit my point right on the nail, a small zip on the arms would have very negligible leakage of the water (also seeing as the limbs are not part of the body core the need to keep them warm is not as important as the area covered by the main zip)
oh and I definitely know about the main zip on wetsuits..... by gawd it hurts when you get a couple of feet of skin trapped in that zip :(
I know all about wetsuits (the only sport I ever excelled at was swimming)
you have hit my point right on the nail, a small zip on the arms would have very negligible leakage of the water (also seeing as the limbs are not part of the body core the need to keep them warm is not as important as the area covered by the main zip)
oh and I definitely know about the main zip on wetsuits..... by gawd it hurts when you get a couple of feet of skin trapped in that zip :(
Ouch, Chuck !!!
Actually, as regards Mollykins's starting question ...
The zip is the only real "possible point of failure" on a wet suit. Tears can be mended but, if a zip goes, then it's expensive. So, you don't want any superfluous zips on your suit.
Zips around your arms or legs would not be as robust as the main zip, because they would have to be curved. And if one of them broke, your whole suit would be ruined ... or need an expensive repair.
Actually, as regards Mollykins's starting question ...
The zip is the only real "possible point of failure" on a wet suit. Tears can be mended but, if a zip goes, then it's expensive. So, you don't want any superfluous zips on your suit.
Zips around your arms or legs would not be as robust as the main zip, because they would have to be curved. And if one of them broke, your whole suit would be ruined ... or need an expensive repair.
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