It is impossible to engage in spearfishing without special clothing, namely a wetsuit. Such equipment is necessary to ensure that a person feels as comfortable as possible under water. It protects the body from exposure to the aquatic environment, from mechanical damage upon contact with various sharp and hard objects, and provides thermal insulation.
The success of spearfishing depends on how well the wetsuit is chosen. If its owner is warm and comfortable, he can stay under water for hours, achieving high physical performance. We will look into how to choose a wetsuit for spearfishing in this article.
Types of wetsuits
There are three main categories of special clothing used by spearfishers. They are designed for different conditions, including temperature, so when choosing one or another product, you must clearly understand where and how it will be used. So, what are wetsuits like:
Dry.
From the name alone it is clear that suits of this class are hermetically sealed, that is, they isolate the hunter’s body from water. This effect is achieved thanks to sealing cuffs (seals) on the wrists and in the neck, as well as waterproof zippers. Previously, a dry suit for spearfishing was a composite suit. The upper part (jacket) and lower part (trousers) were connected to each other, and the joints were sealed in different ways: using waterproof glue, a rubber belt, and others. Now it is a completely sealed suit, equipped with a fitting for connecting to a scuba tank and a valve for bleeding air. Using a bleed valve, the diver regulates the amount of air inside, thereby changing the depth of the dive.Modern dry suits for spearfishing are made from neoprene or three-layer trilaminate, and each of these materials has its pros and cons. A neoprene suit for spearfishing is more elastic, warmer, it fits the body perfectly, and there are almost never wrinkles on it. But it takes too long to dry.
Trilaminate has its disadvantages. For example, it doesn't stretch well. Once the trickster gains a little weight, his movements will be constrained. It is especially difficult to bend down to put on fins in such clothes. And this material, as experienced tricksters assure, can already leak at the seams in the first season, which are much more difficult to glue than neoprene.
Today, underwater hunters rarely use dry wetsuits, mainly only during cold periods. There are several reasons for this. These are their excessive bulkiness, high price and the need to buy diving underwear. Without it, wetsuits of this type cannot be used.
Semi-dry.
This is an intermediate class of clothing for diving. Water can penetrate under such a suit, but in small quantities. With a tight fit to the body, there is almost no space under the suit, so the thermal insulation properties of such a product are considered quite high. Double wrist cuffs, ankle cuffs and a cervical seal are responsible for sealing. In addition, suits of this class are equipped with sealed zippers, which in most models are located on the chest and back. All of the above elements were developed solely for the sake of one thing - heat preservation. Semi-dry wetsuits are most often made from neoprene with a thickness of 5-7 mm, less often from microporous rubber. At great depths, under water pressure, neoprene contracts, which negatively affects thermal protection and buoyancy. In addition, this material cannot be called wear-resistant; with intensive use, it does not last long. This is explained by the fact that foamed neoprene rubber quickly “gets tired” from constant compression. The maximum service life of such a suit is 5 years. Almost all semi-dry suits are made from double-sided rubber and are equipped with hard zippers. All this restricts the movements of the underwater hunter. During the hunt, he has to exert a lot of physical effort, as a result of which fatigue sets in faster.
Wet.
One of the most popular options today. Such suits are called wet because of their ability to allow water to pass through and retain it. Under the fabric it is heated by the body and almost does not mix with the cold water outside. Of course, it’s difficult to call it an effective heat insulator, so you should choose a wetsuit of a size that fits as tightly as possible. The degree of circulation depends on density. The less water goes inside, the less heat will be spent to heat it. Wet suits are often used throughout the warm season, almost until the freeze-up. Depending on the thickness, you can hunt in them even at low water temperatures, starting from 3-4 degrees.The material for their manufacture is the same neoprene, the thickness of which ranges from 1.5-9 mm. The thicker the suit, the warmer it is, but at the same time the elasticity of the clothing suffers, and with it the hunter’s mobility. The inside of wetsuits of this class is most often trimmed with nylon. Between it and the top layer there is a heat-reflecting insert that helps retain heat.
When choosing a wetsuit, the first thing to consider is the type of water it will be used in. This means temperature. If trips to the pond in late autumn and hunting in cold weather are not excluded, then it is better to give preference to equipment with a thicker layer of neoprene.
What a wetsuit must include
Professionals do not need to explain the intricacies of choosing between different models of scuba diving equipment. But if a novice diver is interested in the question, then he should know about several features inherent in wetsuits.
So, even if the seller assures you that this wetsuit is the “same” hunting equipment, you should not rush to try it on. First, take a close look at the area at the front of the chest: the suit you choose should have a hard, non-slip pad designed for reloading shotguns or crossbows.
The folds of equipment are considered its most rubbing and vulnerable parts, so manufacturers must provide them with special pads made from a variety of difficult-to-wash materials. The pads can be rubber, Kevlar or supratex elements.
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Cut
Like any other clothing, wetsuits differ from each other not only in material, but also in cut (finished structure). There are several varieties:
A monosuit is a comfortable and reliable overalls that covers the body, arms and legs, and if there is a built-in helmet, then the head. Great for underwater hunting.- Short monosuit - unlike the previous version, it has shortened sleeves and legs, and there is no helmet. Designed for diving in the warm season. It is not worth diving in heavily corroded bodies of water because of the risk of getting damaged in those parts of the body that remain open.
- A two-piece suit for spearfishing - the overalls are complemented by a jacket with long sleeves, a built-in helmet and a detachable groin bridge.
- A combined suit is a submariner’s equipment that may use some of the listed elements. Now in stores there are a variety of combinations designed for different conditions: immersion depth, temperature, and so on. For example, a monosuit with short sleeves and no helmet.
Features of the cut
To choose the right diving clothing, special attention must be paid to its cut and how it sits on the body. To retain more heat while swimming, the suit should fit snugly, but at the same time not restrict movement and be comfortable. There are certain areas that you should pay special attention to when choosing equipment:
- There must be small gaps in the armpit area. This will ensure free movement of your hands.
- In the crotch area, the suit should fit snugly and at the same time not put pressure on it.
- There should be no tight pressure in the cervical area, otherwise it will make breathing difficult and increase discomfort. But at the same time, in this part the suit must fit tightly enough to prevent water from entering.
- There should be a small gap in the lumbar area, allowing the spine to bend freely and not impede movement.
- The suit should fit fairly tightly around the wrists and ankles, as these areas are most susceptible to water penetration.
When trying on a suit, special attention should be paid to the zipper on the chest and the ease of fastening it. If the zipper is too easy, you should opt for a smaller suit size. If difficulties arise while fastening, you need diving clothing one size larger.
Best Spearfishing Suit
As already mentioned, the most popular wetsuits among spearfishers are neoprene foam wetsuits. These are products with so-called open pores - miniature suction bubbles located on the inside.
When a swimmer puts on such a suit, it literally sticks to his body. That is why underwater hunters often call such clothing a second skin. The material differs from a regular rubber sponge in that the bubbles in it are separated and do not touch each other, so the clothes do not “absorb” water. The air contained in them acts as a heat insulator, but at the same time it creates positive buoyancy, which has to be regulated with special weights.
As a rule, a hunting set includes a jacket and high-waisted pants. The suit, consisting of two separate parts, allows you to do without a zipper lock - the most vulnerable element in the aquatic environment. The thickness is selected taking into account the temperature in which it will be used.
If you make the wrong choice, the hunter runs the risk of freezing or, conversely, overheating, which poses no less a danger to life and health.
To make the dive comfortable and, most importantly, safe, it is advisable to listen to the recommendations of experienced tricks. For convenience, let's put them in a table.
| Water temperature (°C) | Material thickness (mm) |
| 5-12 | 9 |
| 13-18 | 7 |
| 18-22 | 5 |
| 23 and above | 3 |
These numbers are relative, since each person’s sensitivity to cold is individual. Someone may be comfortable and warm at 20°C in a thin suit, for example, 3 mm thick, but another will not last even 10 minutes in this and will immediately freeze.
The correct form factor of the suit and important details
There are suits on sale that have different form factors. In particular, there are both separate jackets and shorts, and one-piece overalls with a hood, ankle- or knee-length pants, with or without sleeves. The colder the water, the more closed the suit will be required.
When choosing a size, the suit should fit without strong folds or bubbles, and fit snugly to the body. But at the same time, there should be no feeling of discomfort and stiffness of movement; too tight a fit can slow down the blood supply and lead to rapid loss of heat.
Pay attention to the type of seams. Seams of the Blindstitch variety, consisting of a liquid adhesive seam, stitched with thread and with insulating tape along the surface of the seam, best ensure tightness. Such seams can be found on high-quality dry suits.
If you choose a one-piece suit, you should give preference to a model with zippers on the shoulders rather than on the back or chest. This type of zipper will provide a better level of water insulation and protect against leaks. When choosing a wetsuit, you need to remember your own comfort and take into account the water temperature. A high-quality suit will provide reliable protection and will not prevent you from playing your favorite sport or hobby.
How to store a spearfishing wetsuit
In order for expensive equipment to last a long time, it must be used and maintained correctly. Caring for each type of suit has its own specifics. For example, preparing a dry suit for diving includes treating all cuffs with talcum powder. If you sprinkle the inner surfaces of the seals with this silicate, the glide will improve. In addition, it is recommended to rub the outside of the zipper with paraffin (candle wax) for greater tightness.
After use, the outer surface of the dry suit should be washed with fresh water, and the inside should be wiped with microfiber to remove condensation. Then it is dried somewhere in the shade. You cannot dry it using heating devices, otherwise the material will lose its properties. To avoid creases and wrinkles, the product should be stored hanging on hangers.
Before putting on a wetsuit, you need to wet it or apply shampoo to the inside. After immersion, it is washed with clean water, dried and stored in the same way as dry.
You cannot wash it in a washing machine, even on the most gentle cycle, or treat it with oil-containing compounds, otherwise the seams may come apart.
In addition, the spearfishing suit must be constantly and carefully checked for cuts, holes and other damage in order to eliminate them before it ends up in the water. First, the damaged area must be degreased and then glued with special glue. If necessary, you can put on a patch cut from an old suit.
Every newbie is faced with the difficult task of choosing a wetsuit. To solve it, you need to clearly understand the conditions under which it will be used. It is equally important to choose the right size, but color and style are a secondary matter. Although, of course, too bright clothes will scare away the fish. We hope that this article helped you figure out how to choose a suit for spearfishing. Video on the topic:
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Seam processing
The cost and service life of a diving suit primarily depends on how its parts were connected. There are several types of joint.
Using glue and tape
This type of joint involves gluing the edges of the material. An adhesive tape is applied to the resulting seam and heated. The seam turns out to be quite smooth and does not cause the scuba diver a feeling of discomfort while swimming. The disadvantage of this joining method is the low strength of the seam.
Zigzag stitch
This type of connection is used in places where the load on the parts being joined is minimal. Most often, to provide additional strength, the seam is glued on the inside using tape.
Seam Mauser
This type of seam does not require additional gluing. It is quite wide and has high strength, which makes it very reliable.
Blind seam
This type of connection has the highest strength characteristics. The technology of this connection is that the joint of materials is first glued, and then stitched in half on each side of the material. The stitches are connected to each other. As a result, the seam is strong and very flexible.
AROPEC LYCRA UNISEX WETSUIT
Photo: https://market.yandex.ru
A two-piece wetsuit - overalls and a jacket with clips - despite the considerable thickness of the Sheico neoprene 5-9 mm, is highly elastic. It is warm and comfortable to move in. The model is offered in several versions: “bare”, with an open pore, or with Ti or Au sputtering. The manufacturer is domestic, so you can order a suit made to your specifications.
AROPEC LYCRA UNISEX WETSUIT
Advantages:
- large size range
- all openings (sleeves, helmet, legs) are covered with waterstops
- protection on knees and elbows
- The additional Lycra coating not only provides a camouflage pattern, but also protects the neoprene from mechanical damage
- the presence of a reinforced chest pad for comfortable reloading of weapons in water
- small face cutout - the helmet seal protects the forehead and chin, almost completely covering the cheeks
Flaws:
- not detected
Quality checking
The first and most important thing you should pay attention to when checking a wetsuit for quality is the seams.
The most economical and popular is overlock stitch : the two ends are folded and then sewn together. The fold is on the inside of the suit and can be uncomfortable. If the wetsuit stretches too much, the fold may become leaky and allow some water in.
Another budget, but no less popular type of seam is a pseudo-flat seam ( flatlock ). Such seams are, in most cases, used in the manufacture of wetsuits for warm water. Two pieces of neoprene are placed on top of each other and stitched.
Unlike an overlock stitch, this seam does not have any unpleasant folds and makes the wetsuit much more comfortable. However, water can seep into the holes made during stitching as the fabric stretches. Taping the seams over the top makes them more airtight and increases comfort.
O'neill models use such seams in the HAMMER, REACTOR, BAHIA and RENTAL lines
One of the most reliable seams is glued seams . The seams are simply glued together. Sometimes taping is used for additional strength and comfort - ( taped seams ). Such a seam can withstand a tensile force that is several times greater than the force required to tear the fabric itself. Nylon or rubber tape is applied either along the entire length of the seams over the stitching, or applied only in critical areas. It strengthens the seams and makes them waterproof.
And finally, one of the highest quality types of seams is the blindstitch . In this case, the material is first glued and then stitched on one side. However, the stitches do not go all the way through and this avoids the possibility of water getting into the suit. The same stitch is done on the reverse side, and then they are interlocked. This makes the seam incredibly strong.
Most O'neill wetsuits have combined GBS seams – glued s eams + b lindstitch : HYPERFREAK, EPIC, GOORU, SUPERFREAK, PSYCHO ONE, PSYCHO-2, PSYCHOFREAK, TEAM SUITS. The PYROTECH line uses overlock stitch + blindstitch.
Zipper location
Back zip
– zipper at the back. Wetsuits with a zipper at the back are the easiest to put on, but there is a chance that water can leak into the back of the suit. However, in the neck area the zipper is protected by an additional Velcro fastener.
Chest Zip
– zipper on the front. This type of wetsuit is harder to put on, but it allows less water to pass through thanks to a shorter zipper and a system of drainage channels.
Zipless
– wetsuit without zipper. It is worn in the same way as the Chest Zip, but instead of a rigid zipper, a tightening system is used. This suit is as light as possible, practically not felt on the body and does not restrict movement at all.
