Neoprene holds gas
Tiny gas cells slow heat transfer. At depth they compress, reducing insulation and buoyancy.
04 · Exposure protection
The thin border between diver and ocean.
A wetsuit manages heat loss by trapping a limited layer of water while neoprene provides insulation—and that insulation changes under pressure.
Six forms
Built around water—or built to exclude it
Dive skin
Thin textile
Abrasion, sun, and sting protection; little thermal benefit.
Shorty
Short neoprene
Mobility and modest coverage in suitable conditions.
Full suit
Wrist to ankle
The familiar wetsuit in many thicknesses and seams.
Two-piece
Overlapping neoprene
Extra torso insulation with more bulk and buoyancy.
Semi-dry
Improved seals
Reduces water exchange but remains a wetsuit.
Drysuit
Waterproof shell
Uses undergarments for insulation and requires training.
Seams manage exchange
Stitching, tape, zips, cuffs, and fit matter as much as thickness.
Close, never crushing
Gaps invite water movement; restriction can impair breathing or circulation.
End notes