Choosing the Best Accessories for Under-Wetsuit Heating
What garments to wear under a thermal suit has always been a question among scuba diving beginners. A thermal suit works best on its own so during warmer weather, it is best to wear smaller pieces of swim wear or dive skins. Winter presents a different dilemma however, since some divers still feel chilly even in a thick wetsuit. Thus, the need for proper insulative layers under the thermal suit arises.
With layering garments under a wetsuit, you should be careful not to compromise your suit’s thermal capabilities. In fact, thermal suits works best when in direct contact with the skin. However, you can improve its insulative layers by using garments that works the same way as the suit. There are a number of neoprene and lyrcra thermal vests that you can wear under and on top of your full thermal suit. Added thermal protection however, is oftentimes thinner than the full suit so as not to restrict breathing and freedom of movement.
Rash guards or rash vests are among the popular layering garments used alongside with thermal suits. In the past, rash guards where made of pure lycra and similar rubber materials. Today, there are already a number of rash guards, like those manufactured by Xcel wetsuit, that are made of neoprene. Being made of the same material as the suit itself, rash guards will help improve your outfit’s heating capabilities. And since rash guards are primarily made to protect the skin against rashes, they are great to wear under suits when you have reactions to seams and paneling. This way, the rash guards serves a double purpose for heating and protection.
If speed is not a goal, then do not be afraid to try on innovative product that makes use of other heating technologies other than neoprene. Quicksilver wetsuits for instance have created a cypher heated rash vest that comes with a battery operated heating technology. The suit can be turned on and off to radiate heat at certain levels. It can provide the added controlled thermal protection under the vest if you do not mind the added bulk that the battery comes with.
When contemplating on what to wear under a thermal suit for scuba diving, always consider the temperature of the water. Warmer waters require little to no under-suit garments while colder waters require the added thermal protections of vests and other types of insulative layers.
Jacks Surfboards offers a wide selection of wetsuits and surf equipment from top brands like O’Neill Wetsuits, Xcel Wetsuits, Rip Curl Wetsuits and many more. Free shipping on surf clothes and gear.
Processing your request, Please wait....
