These wrecks along the African islands north-western coast cater to every dive level, offering encounters from turtles and tuna to candy crabs and nudis. These are the greatest places to explore unique geologic formations, according to our annual Readers Choice survey. A PADI Worldwide Company. For example you'll have increased thickness over your chest and back for extra warmth of your vital organs, and reduced thickness over your arms and legs for flexibility. Next, they are stitched through the material to make sure they are watertight. The rule of thumb is the more material they are using, the stronger the seam is going to be. Another nice trick that manufacturers use panels for is putting different types of neoprene in different areas. I have to say they're super high quality, keep me very warm, and are very well priced. The official/ultimate women's wetsuit guide! However, the stitch only goes partially through the neoprene, and not as far as the outside of the panels, meaning you get a fully watertight, super flexible and really strong seam. But not all stitching and seaming methods are created equal (more on that in a minute). Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions. Don't Get Rid of Your Funboard! Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Safety Tips for Deep Sea Fishing Trips in the Tropics, 2022 Best Plus Size Wetsuits for Big and Tall Men, Best Cold-Water Wetsuits for Adults in 2021, Best Camo Spearfishing Wetsuits to Buy in 2019. This is why good wetsuit manufacturers spend a lot of time developing the proper seams to maximize flexibility while keeping the fit of the suit true. In most cases you will see a seam that is sealed on the outside. Copyright 2022 Scuba Diving. This is why good wetsuit manufacturers spend a lot of time developing the proper seams to maximize flexibility while keeping the fit of the suit true. In partnership with the marine exploration nonprofit OceanX, University of Miami scientists using ROVs discovered the massive brine pools more than a mile deep. I'd say this is the minimum entry level for an effective winter wetsuit. However, there are some ways through which you can avoid that. With winter just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about upgrading your wetsuit to stay warm and toastie all winter long. When spot taping is applied, it strengthens the seams in the wetsuit. Instead, it's well worth investing in quality here as there's nothing that's going to keep you out of the water more, than a wetsuit that's leaking everywhere. Chances of leakage -The areas where the panels are put together mean the wetsuit seams represent the other common places where there could be leakage. Therefore, the kind of seam present on the wetsuit is very important. For additional reinforcement and waterproofing, some wetsuits will have sealed or taped seams as well. Neoprene tape can be used to ensure there is no loss in flexibility. Best Portable Solar Panels for RVs and Camping. This type of stitching is often found in higher-quality, cold water suits as it provides greater insulation and flexibility than non-glued alternatives. Guest checkout not eligible. In surfing we measure this in millimetres. It takes a bit of wiggling to get in, but it's sure as hell comfy once you do. This way, it creates a seam that delivers robust performance. Newer, stretchier neoprene has allowed wetsuit manufacturers to create wetsuits with fewer seams while retaining good fit. Its not possible to use flatlock stitching in winter wetsuits, as it lets water through and wont protect against cold. Should You Be Riding a Poly or Epoxy Surfboard. Do you want to stay up-to-date on our new product releases? The key here is to have a watertight wetsuit. This type of seam seal is usually found in entry-level to mid-range suits. So this is something you'll have to weight up yourself. Its also a flatter seam, hence the name, so it feels a lot more comfortable against bare skin. Liquid Taped: The ultimate seam seal. From inside the Lets Go Surfing Rubber Room! But, there's a whole lot of technical jargon out there - and an enormous amount of choice - so in this article I'm going to do my best to break things down super simply for you so that you can make some well informed decisions to keep you warm this winter. And, you can find variations depending on the pricing of the wetsuit as well. A panel is basically one piece of neoprene, and the seams are where the neoprene pieces are attached. Enter your email address to subscribe our notification of our new post & features by email. You can find some wetsuits where the interior is critically taped, partially taped, or fully taped. Your browser is extremely out of date. The liquid rubber seal gives the sea an extra layer of protection from water entering the wetsuit. A double blindstitch involves completing the initial blindstitch process on both the interior and exterior of a suit. Log in or Register now! The best suit has the right seams in the right places, giving you the perfect balance of flexibility, weight, and warmth. Its the balance that is important. Other stitching techniques for wetsuit seams are flatlock, overlock, e-stitch, double-needle, zigzag stitching, and many more. This entry was posted on October 14, 2020 by The Simple Surfer. Powerseams come in a variety of colours. scubadiving.com is part of PADI Media, a division of PADI Worldwide. You can find different types of wetsuit stitching on different types of products. However, some exceptions to this rule exist in the higher-end suits that use fluid seam welds without any stitching. Learn more. Glued and blind stitched seams are the most common seam construction for cold water wetsuits. The technical name for this seam construction is S-seal. The stitch passes through a portion of the neoprene. You'll find back zips on most budget/low end wetsuits on the market. Next Post . Firstly, we create GBS seams by gluing the edges of the neoprene panels together. Glued Seams: The panels are glued together prior to stitching, increasing the strength of the seam and creating a waterproof seal, Spot Taped Seams: Tape is glued to the inside of the seam in critical areas to add additional strength where needed, Fully Taped Seams: Tape is glued to the inside of every seam. This process compromises neoprenes insulative qualities and is essential to determining a wetsuits warmth. These so-called Melco dots are a Japanese reinforcement material that is heat welded on to make a wetsuit last longer. Wetsuits work by trapping a thin layer of water against the skin, which is warmed by your body heat and then works as an insulator. Copyright 2017 -2022House of Surf, all rights reserved. For that, you need to know about the wetsuit construction and the materials used. So at the moment my wetsuit of choice has been the, Surfing Stance: The Ultimate Guide (2022), 11 Hard-Earned Tips To Catching Waves In Crowded Lineups, Opposite 27 Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty 3116. Flatlock seam are not glued and are not waterproof. Whereas low-grade stitching, allow water to enter the suit chafe your delicate skin and can even unravel. Originally published on 19th September 2019 in Wetsuit Guides. I'm talking glued and blind-stitched, plus taped inside, plus liquid seals on the outside. To prevent over stretching and damage to the seam joints and stress areas, we can apply a reinforcement patch on the inside to strengthen these fragile areas. You can see something like that in full suits. This kind of sealing is done on expensive wetsuits. But, this isn't necessarily isolated to just these guys, this is across the board. You'll sometimes see this kind of stitching listed as Glued Blind-Stitched, or GBS. Nearly all methods of stitching require making many holes in neoprene in order to pass a thread through the material. The glued and blind stitched seam is found in entry-level to mid-range wetsuits. How important is blind stitch/glued v. flatlock? I'm not sure if flat lock stitching is common on 5 mm suits? For Sydney & Byron Bay water and air temperatures the most common thickness is a 3/2mm. There are a lot of seam options out there and most wetsuits use multiple types of seams throughout. Some of the best winter suits each year come from the guys at XCEL. Goliath grouper spawning, manatee snorkeling, freshwater springs, shark diving: it's all here, and this is when you can do it. Wetsuit seams can be sealed and reinforced using a wide variety of methods. It helps to determine your comfort level. There are more things involved in it. Some companies use double or triple gluing procedures. "Your goal as a photographer should always be to create a handful of standout photographs, not scores of average snaps.". Although this ensures a much more comfortable and effective suit, wetsuit seams can be a problematic area for a couple of reasons. Sizes can differ between brands. Taping comes in many different forms and is generally only in select parts of a suit on the interior. All Rights Reserved. One of the most extreme environments on the planet, such oxygen-less pools may hold the keys to important medical breakthroughs. Also, you can find a little bit of variation in a wintersteamerand summer suit. Just frickin good wetsuits that'll keep you warm. As such, the blind stitched wetsuits are flexible, durable, and keeps water out. The Best Gifts For Surfers: Ridershacks 2020 Holiday Guide, When to Replace Your Winter Wetsuit and How to Choose A New One. The flatlock stitch is easier and faster to make, so it tends to be less expensive than a blind stitch, and it allows more stretch to the seam, which can be helpful with todays hyper flexible neoprene. Blind stitching -This type of stitching is done by placing the edges of the neoprene panels and glued them together. Youll find a lot of warm water summer wetsuits, such as shorties or other wetsuits under 2.5mm thickness, with flatlock seams. While looking for wetsuits with welded seams, you may come across different manufacturers. Flat Lock seams are the cheapest type on the market, and as such, they don't offer too much when it comes to warmth. You are using an out of date browser. That way, it makes the seam stronger and more waterproof. You can find wetsuits where the interior is fully taped, partially taped, or critically taped. More panels often result in a better fit, but also mean more seams. Although good stitching makes sure that the suit is effective and comfortable, seams can cause problems for a few reasons. However, what you get for your money is a strong, watertight seam. We wont go into too much detail, but a rule of thumb is this: fewer. The Ultimate Wetsuit Buyers Guide 2021 plus recommendations! The first step in this process involves gluing the suits neoprene panels with two or three coats of neoprene cement (hence the terms double-glued or triple-glued). They are also more water tight as there is no zipper for the water to seep through. Extremely durable, the welded seams provide lots of stretch in all directions. This one's pretty self explanatory. As you know, stitching on the suit means to make holes in the neoprene to allow the thread to pass through it. This stitch results in reinforced, watertight flexible seams. Fluid seams are found in some variations. Flatlock stitching is perfect for wetsuits with a minimum of 3mm thickness. More cost-effective types of seams are flatlock or overlock stitching. In short, it is almost indestructible. Perfect for a warm summer. Slip into gin-clear waters where tugs, anchors and fishing boats burst with life, from macro goodies to pelagic wonders. What the different types of seams are - and why they're super important. The only downside to these liquid seals is that they tend to crack over time which isn't great. Sure if you're only planning on quick 20 - 30 minute sessions this winter they might be fine, but not if you're planning on legitimately surfing all winter long - whilst being totally comfortable and warm at the same time. Because of the construction, it makes a durable suit with lots of flexibility where it needs the most, which is the arms. Explore the colors, wildlife and formations found in these unique environments. To get this fit, separate panels are stitched together to build the suit. So, it quite important that you pick the right kind of suit. That makes you feel uncomfortable. After that you have a pretty good watertight seal with all other seams right off the bat, but GBS seams will break down and start leaking a bit sooner than taped seams or fluid seams. All flatlock suits are also glued to make the seam as watertight as possible, but due to the nature of the stitch this seam is the least watertight and durable. The seams play a key role in determining how watertight and comfortable the suit is, and if you don't make the right choice, you could find yourself feeling pretty chilly on the water. Short Arm? But, they do a damn good job of keeping you warm. Usually, well do this three times, creating triple glued seams. If you give yourself an hour or so to try on wetsuits, find the best fit, take some advice from someone you trust, you will be buying the right suit that should last you yearsSo our advice is buy the best wetsuit you can afford!!!!! I found this page to give a pretty good explanation of stitching methods: I would buy a good 3mm with GBS before I bought a 5mm with flatlock. hence, it is suitable for hot summer conditions. Secondly, we blind stitch the seams together. If you're in the water a lot and your suit is likely to take a battering on a regular basis, its well worth investing in taped or even sealed seams for the extra durability and waterproofing. Melco dots prevent over stretching, which can lead to tearing the wetsuit. Here are the most common: The thickness of a wetsuit will not only greatly affect how warm a wetsuit will be but also how flexible it will be. Apart from the other two methods aforementioned, the blind stitched process is the most comfortable one and preferred by divers living in some of the coldest places. We can apply neoprene tape with normal glue, which can leave some glue residue visible on the tapes edge. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. The blind stitch technique does not completely penetrate through both sides of the neoprene which creates a completely watertight durable seam. Although not as good looking, S-seal is found to be more durable than powerseams. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. A sealed wetsuit is one where the seams of the suit are not only stitched together but also glued or sealed with liquid tape to limit water from seeping into the suit and making you cold. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Not so great for a winter wetsuit. Generally speaking the more thermal layering on your wetsuit the warmer it'll be, and the more expensive it'll be too. The only feature that distinguishes it from the others is that welded seams make use of a silicon-type seal to join the panels together. Usually, powerseams have blind stitching on the inside of the wetsuit or are completely stitchless. This prevents water leaks. Its possible to reduce the price of a wetsuit even more by using overlock stitching. I don't know of any 2 suits that are identical in every other way, that you could compare just 3mm/GBS to 5mm/FL. Always worth a check, and a trustworthy brand that's stood the test of time. For a winter wetsuit that's actually going to keep you warm and allow you to surf all winter, I'd shoot for the chest zip every time. Always keep in mind that the best wetsuit has all the important seams in the right place. However, improvements in surf technology has resulted in stretchier neoprene that can mould to your body shape, so you might not be taking such a hit on the fit of the suit if you opt for a competition style wetsuit with minimal panels. Sometimes sealed seams are stitched on the inside. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Wetsuit seams do play a small role in the fit of a wetsuit. It is almost always found in wetsuits 3mm and under, as well as spring suits 2mm and under. Different brands will use different materials to achieve this thermal layer, but it's this which usually separates the budget from the premium options. To help you properly understand the technical aspects of wetsuit construction, this article explains the different methods used. Fluid seams -If there is any type of strong seam seal, the fluid seal stands out from the rest. Which is which and what do I buy? Some of them are more flexible, lighter, and thinner than others. They are super stretchy too. *Quick Tip: Don't be afraid to go shopping in the guys section Why? Keep in mind that seams are crucial for wetsuits. Neoprene panels are glued together before stitching occurs, resulting in a reinforced seam with improved water-tight qualities. A seam refers to the point at which two or more pieces of material are joined together (i.e., a chest panel and arm panel). These days only the entry level or low cost wetsuits will not be sealed but what does this mean? Ok, with all of that being said, what wetsuit should you buy to keep warm this winter? You must log in or register to reply here. In general, spot taping is done in association with blind stitched and glued seams. You should by now be well informed to make some good buying decisions when you hit the shops. Sometimes youll see wetsuits that are sealed on the outside and taped on the inside and this can hinder flexibility in those areas. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. This is the best diving for every season in a state with endless possibility. As such, the suit becomes uncomfortable to wear and allows water to penetrate through the seams. Each of the variants has its advantages and disadvantages. The flatlock seam is the most basic and least expensive seam in the wetsuit world. Low flexibility -Apart from the zip, the wetsuit seams constitute the least flexible space on the wetsuit. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. The needle doesnt penetrate the neoprene completely, but only stitches through half of the neoprene panel to prevent leakage. A fluid seam is a kind of liquid rubber that can seal the panels before applying blind stitching. For this to work, the wetsuit must fit you like a second skin - no gaping. Now we're starting to move into the realm of a seam type that can handle the cold water, that's durable and has stood the test of time. For this reason, flatlocking stitching is mainly used for summer wetsuits. The downside of this method is that it results in a lot of holes going through the neoprene, which can let water in. We strongly recommend that you try a different browser for the best experience when using our website. On average I'd say that these liquid seals will be 100% effective for about one winter season (obviously depending on how much you surf), and after that you'll likely see a decent amount of degradation and drop in warmth/performance. For instance, a high-end suit for cold water might feature a smooth skin chest panel, which is made of a special type of neoprene which blocks wind and absorbs heat from the sun better. This entry was posted in Surf Wiki on October 14, 2020 by The Simple Surfer.
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