Feature | Product Specification |
Ankle Seal Type ? As with the neck and wrists, the ankle seals help to stop water be flushed into the suit through movement, trapping warm water against the skin and maintaining body temperature Close. | - |
Ankle Seal Zips ? A extra layer than can be unzipped to allow the fitting and sealing of neoprene boots, helping to prevent flushing of cold water Close. | - |
Entry Zip Location ? The location of the entry zip. The zip is normally located in the centre of the front or rear of the suit but an offset zip can provide better comfort and aid donning and doffing.
A wetsuit system usually has a rear entry zip on the full length piece and a front entry zip on the shorty. This is to avoid overlapping the zips which would create an uncomfortable ridge. Close. | Rear Centre |
Fit ? Most Rash Vests fit tight against your skin for minimal drag, even protection and less riding up during use. If you prefer a loose fit these are also available and they are easier to don and doff. Close. | Tight |
Hood Included ? Whether a hood is supplied with the suit Close. | No |
Male or Female Fit ? Wet suits are specifically cut for either men or women to provide a more comfortable fit. Close. | Female |
Material ? The material the garment is made from will determine the protection and longevity of it. Close. | Econyl/Polyester/Nylon |
Neck Seal Type ? The neck seal is an important component of a wetsuit, providing a critical seal against cold water flushing into the suit. An entry level suit will feature a simple zip up collar whilst a high specification suit will have an adjustable closure and smooth finish to create a good seal. Close. | Rolled |
Reinforced Knee Pads ? Reinforced knee pads help to prolong the life of the suit by protecting the knees from abrasive damage. Close. | - |
Stitching type ? The stitching can affect both the comfort and also the thermal protection that the suit can provide.
Overlock is the basic stitching type, two pieces are stitched together creating a small ridge which can cause indentations in the skin and irritation.
Flatlock and Blind stitch joins two pieces edge to edge providing a more comfortable flat finish. Blind stitch is different stitch pattern to flatlock that uses glue. The reduced number of needle hole and use of glue helps reduce water entry through the stitching.
Seam sealed utilises a blind stitch join for comfort with the addition of an internal tape or liquid seal to create a better water barrier and prevent water seeping through the stitching. Close. | Flatlock |
Style | Shorty |
Thermal ? Some Rash Vests have a thermal capacity to keep you warm by insulating you either by thin neoprene or a neoprene alternative layered material that keeps you warm even when wet. Close. | Yes |
Thermal Protection Class ? Class A: 7 - 12 degrees celcius Class B: 10 - 18 degrees celcius Class C: 16 - 24 degrees celcius Class D: 22 - 30 degrees celcius
This is the thermal class given to the wetsuit by an independent testing body. Each class band covers a temperatures range that a suit certified for. This grading system currently only applies to full length suits, shorties are excluded.
As an example two different 5mm thick wetsuits may look the same but one is more expensive and receives a higher grade. Without the grade to identify that the suit provides better thermal protection it is difficult to justify the higher price.
Close. | - |
Thickness (mm) ? The neoprene thickness of the wet suit. Generally speaking the thicker the neoprene the warmer the suit but there are other factors to bear in mind such as the amount of water that is allowed to 'flush' through components like the zip and seals. Close. | 2 |
UPF Rating ? The UPF rating is quite simple the amount of protection the garment provides the skin it covers. If it normally takes you 20mins to burn in the sun a UPF30 shirt will protect you for 30 times that. The higher the UPF Rating, the higher the protection. Close. | - |
Wrist Seal Type ? The wrist seal is another important barrier to prevent water flowing freely in and out of the suit. Close. | Rolled |
Wrist Seal Zips ? Wrist seal zips allow a outer neoprene layer to be rolled back so that the hand opening in a divers gloves can be sandwiched between two layers, helping to prevent water flushing into the gloves. Close. | No |