A wetsuit is a special garment used in a variety of water sports from scuba diving to surfing and triathlons. They are designed to protect the body from different water and weather conditions. A must have for any water sport enthusiast.

Wetsuits are made from neoprene, a waterproof, synthetic rubber. Neoprene is an excellent insulator, which means it keeps the heat emanating from your body inside the suit. It's also very flexible and stretchy.

How exactly does a neoprene wetsuit work? It works by capturing a thin layer of water between the suit and the body. This water is then warmed by the body to the body temperature while the neoprene insulates you from the outside cold.

Warmth of the wetsuit is decided by the thickness of the neoprene. It's very important to choose a suit that is thick enough to provide the necessary amount of insulation. Different thickensses for different conditions. Naturally, the thicker the neoprene, the warmer it will be. Common neoprene thicknesses range from 1mm to 7mm. In a water warmer than 80 degrees, you'll probably be fine with 1mm. Water below 50 degrees requires a 7 mm wetsuit.

Springsuits, fullsuits, and long johns are three basic types of wetsuits. Springsuit, also called shortie, covers its wearer's torso and thighs. It has either short or long sleeves. Fullsuit, or steamer, covers the whole body. Some even have hood built in. Long johns cover only torso and legs and are suitable for warmer conditions.

The close fit of the wetsuit is also very important as the more you minimize the movement of the water that is trapped between you and the outside ocean, the less heat will be lost.

Today, wetsuits are relatively inexpensive and come in many types and sizes. They have vastly improved over the last years, becoming warmer, more flexible, and more long-lasting. Just remember, when choosing one, go for function.