Surfing wetsuit is usually with chest zip today, it is just because chest zip provides a better fit and more insulation.

In this wetsuit design, the zip runs horizontally along the chest to connect the collar that goes over your head with the lower panel of the wetsuit. The shorter zip improves the flexibility of the surf suit as well.

The chest zip wetsuits are less prone to flushing, it means water rush in the suit, especially when duck diving under waves. This makes chest zip wetsuits warmer when surfing for a long time.

But makes it a bit harder to get in and take it off.

Surfing wetsuit is usually made of high-end neoprene material with chest zip for performing excellently when surfing. But the chest zip style is often let some water be in the chest area of wetsuit, then it would affect surfing, so wetsuit manufactures usually design some small holes for draining the water not only chest but also back.

Triathlon wetsuit is usually made from high end neoprene material, such as Yamamoto limestone neoprene, as this wetsuit is required high end quality, even for each panel of wetsuit. So high end triathlon wetsuit would usually use the different stretch materials as the picture show. This will maximize the performance of wetsuit to assist athletes to have perfect score.

Manufacturers of high-end wetsuits often use titanium to help strengthen neoprene linings and help retain heat. This makes the overall set a stronger and more durable product than other sets. Titanium suits are generally thinner, stronger and lighter than pure neoprene suits.

As a high-end Wetsuit, preventing the entry of water should be devoted much. Sealed arm and leg cuffs are another important way to achieve this. Because nobody likes a flush when they enjoy diving life, there is a risk of water entering the arm and leg cuffs. This is why these areas need to be sealed.

There are two ways the wetsuit manufacturers usually use for printing wetsuits:
 
1. The customer provides the vector format file (such as *.dwg, *.dxf, *.pdf, *.ai, *.cdr. …) to be printed, and then the wetsuit manufacturer uses the file to print according to the size requested. This is the most efficient way.
 
2. The customer does not have the printed vector format file, but provides the font or picture that they need to print to the wetsuit manufacturer, and then the wetsuit manufacturer assists to design the printed documents by the communication with the customer meanwhile. This is also possible, but a detailed discussion will take longer.

But for the printing, some wetsuit manufacturers will ask their customers for keeping the manufacturer own LOGO in the wetsuit to increase the wetsuit manufacturers’ publicity.

Laminated Fabric Color: The most common colors are black and gray. For the rest of the colors, if there is no stock in the market and must be dyed, then the MOQ will be more than black and gray.

Wetsuit Style: For example, for a similar style, the MOQ for the short will exceed the MOQ for the full set, because the MOQ for the materials is similar.

Neoprene: There are different grades of neoprene, such as limestone neoprene, CR, SCR, SBR, …etc. They come from different material manufacturers, such as Japan-YAMAMOTO, Korea-JAKO, Taiwan-Nam Liong, therefore MOQ for different.

Neoprene Thickness: For example, a 3/2mm wetsuit includes two types of neoprene and the MOQ will exceed the 3mm wetsuit as each thickness of neoprene will require a separate MOQ

1. Materials: Such as neoprene, laminated fabric, zipper, etc. Materials with different elastic or durable properties can vary widely in price. In addition, the origin or brand of the material also contributes to different costs of wetsuit.

2. Wetsuit Color: The most common colors are black and gray. The remaining colors may need to be dyed according to the customer's order, so there will be additional costs and minimum order quantity requirements.

3. Cutting Panels: The more cuts, the more neoprene panels need to be stitched, which will result in more labor costs.

4. Technology: For the different processes of the stitching, the cost is different. For example, glue blind stitching requires longer man-hours than flat locks.

5. Quantity: Due to economies of scale, high-volume orders will cost less than small-volume orders.

6. Production Time: If the request is urgent and the production time needs to be shortened, it means additional overtime and shipping costs (such as changing material from sea to air shipment).

Thickness: The thicker the wetsuit, the warmer it is. A 5/4/3mm wetsuit is much warmer than a 3/2mm wetsuit.

Entry System: Unzippered and chest zippered entryways are generally warmer than back zippers because they are less prone to flushing. However, if you end up with a well-fitting back zip suit, flushing may not be an issue at all.

Seams: The key here is the water resistance of the wetsuit. That's why seams need to be well done, but some seams are better than others. Generally speaking, for waterproofing, tape seams or fluid seams will be better than GBS, and GBS will be better than flat locks. After the seams start to crack and let water in, it will start to get cold.

Neoprene Types: Certain types of neoprene are more wind-resistant, especially smooth-skinned neoprene, which greatly increases warmth by reducing wind chill. Air-insulated neoprene is warmer due to the added insulation, but also more expensive.

Internal Lining: It has a big effect on insulation, but most of the insulation effect is thought to be drying out when you put on a suit. Fleece and certain other liners do add warmth, while some others don't necessarily add true warmth.

Size: One of the worst things about surfing is flushing. If your wetsuit fits, the tide will be at its lowest. A loose-fitting wetsuit can let in water around the ankles, wrists, and neck, which can easily make people feel cold and force them to end their workouts early.

Thickness: It plays a small role in the durability of the wetsuit. Thicker suits, with more material, are less prone to tearing in neoprene. But it's really small. Unless you cut it with fins or scrape your wetsuit onto the barnacles, it will take years to break through your neoprene, and most other parts of the wetsuit will fail long before that.
 
2. Entry System: They won't play an important role. However, we've seen suits get roughed up with the Velcro used in most back zip entry wetsuits. This can be avoided if you take care not to let the Velcro touch the neoprene. Another thing to consider is the quality of the zipper used (if have). Broken zippers are the worst because you have to send the suit in for warranty and wait for it to come back.
 
3. Seam: There are a lot of seam options out there, and most wetsuits use several types of seams. The rule is that the more material used, the stronger the seam. However, there are some exceptions in high-end suits that use fluid seam welding without any stitching.
 
4. Neoprene: The more elastic the neoprene, the less durable it is. Special strength materials are usually made by increasing the density of the rubber through special compression, so the tensile performance of the material are reduced. One more thing to note is that smooth skin neoprene can easily tear when pulled, especially with your fingernails.
 
5. Internal Lining: It does not affect the durability of the wetsuit.
 
6. Size: If the wetsuit is too tight, you will wear it quickly. You can technically wear a smaller size wetsuit, but its seams will break quickly due to the extra pressure.     

1. Thickness: It has a great effect on the flexibility of the wetsuit. If the same neoprene is used, the thicker the wetsuit, the less flexible it is. So if you're used to wearing 3/2mm, and then you go where you need 5/4/3mm, you'll feel more resistance to your movement.

2. Entry System: It's probably not a big deal now when wetsuits are getting more stretchy, and it's hard to tell, but we can all agree that zippers don't stretch. This is why a zipperless wetsuit will be the most flexible. Chest zippers will come second on this list because they are shorter and placed in areas that don't require stretching much, but the back zips are longer and hinder flexibility more.

3. Seam Construction: The seams used on the wetsuit greatly affect the flexibility of the wetsuit. Generally, the more material used to strengthen the seam, the less flexible it is. Sometimes you will see stitching on the outside of the wetsuit and tape on the inside, flexibility in these areas is hindered. In high-end suit manufacturers will use elastic materials to compensate for this.

4. Neoprene Type: Wetsuit neoprene has a variety of elastic level. The best way to know which is the most elastic is to feel it for yourself, or ask someone with experience. To be sure, generally, the more elastic a wetsuit is, the more expensive it will be.

5. Internal Lining: In general, the inner lining will hinder flexibility at least slightly. That's why, in most cases, you won't see heavy duty pads on your arms or legs that require flexibility.

6. Wetsuit size: It can play an important role in the perceived flexibility of the wetsuit. If your wetsuit doesn't fit, your range of motion is reduced. For example, if the suit has a short torso or tight chest, it can restrict your arm movement.

There are three typical types of wetsuit collar hem.

No Hem: Retains the original cut of the neoprene material, as there is no hem, it is easy to wear, but the neckline will be easy to be tear out.

Serged Hem: only for thickness less than 3mm. Fold and sew the edge of a piece of cloth to keep the fabric from unraveling. it will avoid the tearing on the neckline, but as it has two layers, the thickness will also be double, then it will make a little uncomfortable.

Taped Hem: Use extra thin piece of cloth to cover the original edge and sew to keep the fabric from unraveling, It is the smoothest and most comfortable way to neckline.

Durability and comfortable: Taped Hem > Serged Hem > No Hem

Cost: No Hem > Serged Hem > Taped Hem

For a panel of neoprene, it is basic element to manufacture a wetsuit. The seams are where the pieces are attached. Paneling can have an impact on the fit and flexibility of a wetsuit. A rule of thumb: Fewer panels mean fewer seams, and fewer seams mean fewer "moving parts" or areas of a suit that can break down. More panels equal to be better fit, the trick is finding the sweet spot. Stretchier and  newer neoprene allow wetsuit manufacturers to produce wetsuits with fewer seams while maintaining a good fit. That's why good wetsuit manufacturers spend a lot of time developing the right seams to maximize flexibility while maintaining a wetsuit's fit.

Another good trick for manufacturers with panels is to place different types of neoprene in different areas. This makes the wetsuit more technical. For example, a high-end wetsuit for cold water may have a smooth-skinned chest panel made of a special type of neoprene that better absorbs heat from the sun and blocks wind better.

As we know, the reinforcement pad is very important of the wetsuit, it can greatly increase the durability for the critical area. there are two ways of wetsuits reinforcement pads construction.

1. Use the knee pads to glue and sew on the fabric and the neoprene layer under the knee pad, there will be two layers, the total thickness of this area is the thickness of the neoprene and laminated fabric layer + the thickness of the reinforcement pad.
 

2. For the area that needs elbow pads, the area will be cut a hole for sewing the reinforcement pads later. The total thickness of this area is only the thickness of the reinforcement pad.

Taking good care of your wetsuit will make it more durable. Regular post-dive care will prolong its life and save you money. Take good care of your wetsuit, it will keep you warm in the water longer all year round.
Here are some tips for maintaining a wetsuit.

1. Rinse your wetsuit after every dive or surf.

Rinsing is what you need to do at the end of a day of diving or surfing. Use cold fresh water to remove all seawater, sand and dirt from inside and outside the wetsuit. Make sure to rinse inside and out thoroughly.

2. Never use hot water to rinse your wetsuit.

If you rinse the wetsuit in hot water, the wetsuit material will break down. Always use cold or lukewarm water. Do not expose the wetsuit to the sun! Ultraviolet rays can quickly deteriorate wetsuit fabrics. Dry your wetsuit in the shade if possible. Do not leave the wetsuit in the car or in the trunk of the car for an extended period of time. Soft boiled wetsuit? not good.

3. Dry your wetsuit inside out first.

Don't let your wetsuit get wet after rinsing. Hang it to dry on a suitable hanger such as SlideHanger™ to reduce fabric stress. Don't use traditional shoulder hangers. Dry the wetsuit inside and out first. In any case, you should always strip your diving suit inside out. Once the inside is dry, turn the wetsuit outside to finish drying. Flat it in storage by laying is ok. Do not hang wetsuits on shoulder hangers. Don't fold your wetsuit - neoprene will wrinkle and won't recover.

4. Don't wash your wetsuit in the washing machine.

Do not attempt to wash or dry your wetsuit with a washer and dryer! Do not use bleach, laundry detergents, stain removers, fabric softeners, olive oil, jet fuel, etc. Don't iron your wetsuit either! Use soap made specifically for wetsuits, or a mild liquid soap such as baby shampoo. View available wetsuit care products. Hand-washing your wetsuit!

5. Surf wax sticks to the wetsuit fabric.

Surf wax can get on your wetsuit. That's it. There is no efficient way to remove the wetsuit without damaging it. You can try using ice cubes to harden the wax. It may come off easily. However, don't rub the fabric or brush it with your fingers. You will be layering the fabric at the rub. Do not use solvents, alcohol, lighter fluids, wax removers, or any petroleum-based products.

6. How to keep your wetsuit odor free?

In most cases, rinsing your wetsuit with fresh water and drying it thoroughly will keep your wetsuit fresh and odor-free. However, if your wetsuit smells, wash your wetsuit with a bucket of fresh lukewarm water (not hot water). Use a special wetsuit soap or some baby shampoo. Gently wash the wetsuit by hand. Rinse thoroughly to remove all detergent, then dry your wetsuit.

This is a very common and understandable question. In fact, it should be said NO, the wetsuit stitching is added the internal taping inside is a kind of reinforcement action for our wetsuit. It isn’t for warming. When the glue at the wetsuit seams begins to leak and deteriorate after using for a term time, the inner tape will act as a backup seal, preventing the suit from leaking and keeping you warm.

Yes, there are the following differences:

1. Clip

Women have different body shapes than men, and so are wetsuits. Women's wetsuits have wider hips, less material on the shoulders, and more on the chest. There are also sizing adjustments, if men's wetsuits usually come in sizes XS, S, M, MT, L, …etc. Women's sizes are 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ...etc.

2. Color and Design

In the past, black was the predominant color for men's and women's wetsuits. There are occasional pink lines or flowers here, separating them. But today there are a wide variety of wetsuit styles and brands, and a color can be labelled as a woman from a mile away. Go for colors, I love colors :)!

3. Features

Women's wetsuits are more about focusing on appearance, such as style and color, while men's are more about focusing on function, such as flexible, performance-oriented and technologically advanced wetsuits.

4. Can girls wear men's swimming trunks?

Hmm... yes, if necessary. But it really depends on her size. Wetsuits these days are very flexible and adapt well to your body type, and the same wetsuit can cover up some body differences. But a girl with a very feminine figure (wide hips, etc.) should definitely opt for a women's wetsuit.

How to put it on?

The most important rule of wearing a wetsuit is to be gentle! A yank on your wetsuit is a surefire way to put too much pressure on the neoprene and even tear the seams. Start at the bottom with your feet and slowly work your way up to your waist.

1. To help you with the difficult task of getting your feet through the leg openings, you can place a plastic bag on your feet and slide them through easily.

2. Once the suit is at the waist, adjust it to help the bottom half fit your leg properly, then roll the rest of the suit up and through your arms. This will again save you from over-emphasizing the seams.

3. Now, before you zip it up, make sure the suit is correct before you seal yourself up. This reduces the stress on the seams. You should avoid forcing zips on your suits as repairs are expensive; slow and smooth is always the best way!

How to take it off?

1. As opposed to putting on a wetsuit, take your time. If it's stubborn, try not to pull too much on the wetsuit as this can cause the neoprene to tear and seams to crack.

2. Peel off the wetsuit and lay it inside out, as this again reduces the pressure on the seams and is better for drying after use.

There are two main types of zipper entries for wetsuits, the traditional "back zipper" and "chest zipper". They both have advantages and disadvantages to help you make up your mind when choosing the right wetsuit for your sport.

Back Zipper Wetsuits - There is a zipper from the back of the collar to the bottom of the spine, creating a large opening, they are easier to slide in and zip up. Disadvantages of back zipper wetsuits include reduced flexibility and a looser collar that allows more water to rush through (which can really wake you up on cold days!). but the special Velcro collar section partially eliminates this problem.

Chest Zipper Wetsuit - Has a flap on the chest to create a smaller opening and improve flexibility. It can be trickier to put on a chest suit than a back zipper one, but offers benefits in colder water as they seal your suit better than a back zipper one and have a full collar reinforced with safety buttons allowing for less Water seeps in. Neoprene adapts quickly to the shape of the body, so they become easier and easier to put on.

Season and water temperature are the main factors.

Check out the year-round average temperatures in your area and use the below guidelines to determine the best wetsuit or combination of wetsuits and accessories for your year-round surfing:

You should also consider the temperature, wind speed, your personal sensitivity to the cold and the intensity of exercise you will be doing!

The wetsuit types are used to make a difference in how well they perform. Here are some the basic stitching methods below:

1. Flatlock: lay one panel edge over the other and stitch through the neoprene, this way will be flexible and strong. But It may let water in, used in suits mainly for warmer water. (Thickness less than 3mm).

2. Blind stitching: glue neoprene segments together and then stitch halfway through the material and will not leave any holes-watertight and flexible seam - making it ideal for colder water. (Thickness more than 3mm).

3. Welded: sealed on the outside of the suit using melted/liquid neoprene to ensure the seam is impenetrable by water. It is ideal for cold-water and more premium wetsuits. (Thickness less than 3mm).

4. Taped: sealed on the inside of the wetsuit, it is usually to reinforce after blind stitching or welded. Sometimes it only used in the critical positions by point tape, sometimes it will tape in all the seam line.

As we know, the wetsuit is to keep our body warm by insulating between us and the cold water or air when we sport. So the thicker, the warmer!

we often are given with two numbers like 3/2, 4/3, 5/3, or three numbers like 5/4/3 for the wetsuit thickness. so we should know it, actually the number is to tell us that neoprene panels of different thickness are used in this wetsuit. The first set of numbers represent the thickness of the wetsuit at your core or torso area; the 2nd set indicates the thickness of the wetsuit at your body extremities such as arms and legs; If there is a 3rd number, then that represents your leg wetsuit thickness number.

For the goal of this variable thickness, it is to let wetsuit be lighter and cheaper before achieving our use request.

1. Shelves of neoprene
 

2. Machine cutting neoprene panels
 

3. Gluing neoprene panels
 

4. Blind stitching a seam
 

5. Stitching the zipper
 

6. Packing wetsuit

The changeable color cloth means the cloth surface would show different color when

1) We see it by different directions / angles;

2) The cloth is inside of water and outside of water.

This new material called SCS AURORA was developed by Yamamoto company recently. It has been chosen as overall best product at ISPO MUNICH 2023.

https://www.innovationintextiles.com/chameleon-fabric-claims-top-ispo-textrends-award/

This cloth is made of Yamamoto 45 and Jersey, here is the introduction how the colors will change above and under the water.

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40wlYcigD3A

2) https://yamamoto-bio.com/material-e/aurora.html

For a wetsuit, the special cloth color is acceptable, but if requesting the color should be very accurate, there would be something happen:

1) The supplier should use dye to achieve, then if the quantity is not so enough, the unit price would be very high.

2) Dyeing a color often need much time, it would affect the delivery time.

But if the abovementioned things are not so important for you. maybe you can try it.