How a Wetsuit Keeps You Warm

As winter approaches, it's important that you have the right wetsuit to wear so that you stay warm in cold conditions. There are a lot of features within a wetsuit that play a pivotal role in keeping your body temperature at a 'normal' level. However, arguably the most important element of a wetsuit (in terms of keeping you warm) is the lining.

Wetsuit lining has unmistakably seen the most technical advancement over the years, with surf brands creating their own versions of what they believe to be the best. 

Entry-level wetsuits will use a polypro lining. The polypro lining can be identified by its low pile - the material sits close to your skin without being too fluffy, allowing water/moisture (which can become cold) to be pulled away from your body. At the same time the fabrics used will hold on to just enough of your body heat to keep you warm. You will often find that polypro lining is found around the core area - your chest, stomach panels and/or the back.

Shop the Mystic Drip for polypro lining. 

One of the most advanced mid to high level thermal lining systems within a wetsuit would have to be Rip Curl Flash Lining, with the most up-to-date version being the E5 lining. It's the lowest profile lining Rip Curl has ever created. It used to be relatively fluffy, but has been pared back in the latest version to make it less heavy when it's wet and to keep the wetsuit lighter. The E5 lining pulls the water straight from your body and because of the quick drying fabric used, your body will maintain its heat. Plus, its draining is second to none, so you know there won't be any extra water sitting inside your wetsuit.

Shop the Rip Curl Flashbomb for E5 lining. 

Up there with quality lining technology is the Billabong Furnace Lining. It uses both a polypro lining and a plush lining. The 'brain pattern' (polypro) is used deliberately, as it acts as a channel to push the water out of the bottom of the wetsuit, while the plush lining keeps the body warm. It should be noted that with the Billabong and Rip Curl linings, because these feature on mid/high-end wetsuits, the thermal lining will be throughout the whole body. However, when it comes to top-end high-performance wetsuits used by professionals, the lining will often be left out of the arms and chest, to allow for more freedom when paddling. 

Shop the Billabong Furnace Revolution for Furnace lining. 

There is one exception regarding high-end wetsuits when it comes to the lining system being plush - and that's O'Neill. They use a hydrophobic lining, meaning that any water that comes into contact with it is pushed straight back out of the wetsuit. There is no fleece lining inside to trap the air. The reason O'Neill do this is because the neoprene used is made with larger air cells (similar to the insulation in a house) which allows you to be warm in the first place. 

It should be noted as well that O'Neill opt for no lining at all within some of their wetsuit ranges - such as the Hyperfreak. The reason for this is that it allows for complete stretch when paddling so you don't tire as much. 

Shop the O'Neill Psycho Freak for TechnoButter 3 lining. 

At the end of the day you need to consider what is right for you and what you prioritise. If you want to remain warm and don't care so much for flexibility, then obviously a wetsuit packed with thermal lining throughout is the right choice. However, if you prefer to have a lot more freedom of movement, then a wetsuit with minimal (or no) thermal lining will ensure you don't get as tired when paddling. 

Hot tip: The more expensive the wetsuit, the better the thermal lining is going to be. 

 

Shop our full range of wetsuits here. 

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