Is a Thicker Wetsuit More Buoyant?

You may be wondering if a thicker wetsuit will provide you with more buoyancy. A fullsuit can be much more buoyant than a Long John, but is a thicker suit better for you? You can find out here. Read on to learn why a thick suit isn't always the best option. Here's what you need to know about wetsuit buoyancy.

Thicker Wetsuits Provide Better Buoyancy

You can determine a wetsuit's buoyancy by looking at the thickness of its material. The thicker the material, the more buoyant it is. Thicker wetsuits are often warmer and have more neoprene, which increases their buoyancy. Generally, a wetsuit that is five to six millimeters thick will be more buoyant than one that is three to four millimeters thick.

A regular swimsuit provides less buoyancy than a full scuba wetsuit, which can be eight millimeters thick. A full scuba wetsuit is a full 8mm thick, which makes it ideal for cold water. Thicker wetsuits have a higher buoyancy rating than regular swimsuits, but are not as flexible as a regular recreational one. This is because most recreational wetsuits are made of thin, flexible materials.

Generally, wetsuits work based on a simple physical principle. A weightless object immersed in a fluid has a force equal to its weight. This force is what allows a floating object to stay afloat. Since wetsuits are made of neoprene, they are softer than an equal volume of water. Hence, when wetsuits are too thick, they stretch and will limit your use. Thicker wetsuits also reduce drag.

Fullsuits are More Buoyant Than a Long John

One of the first questions people often ask when deciding on a wetsuit is: "Do fullsuits slow you down?" While a fullsuit is more buoyant than a Long John, it's important to note that it is still possible to swim faster in a LJ. Traditionally, these wetsuits were used only during extremely cold temperatures and were notorious for reducing stroke efficiency and causing arm muscle fatigue. Today, though, better construction techniques and flexible materials have made it possible for fullsuits to remain a popular choice for triathletes.

In addition to being warmer, fullsuits float better in colder water. The extra rubber and material in fullsuits reduce drag and weight. In warmer water, sleeveless wetsuits are more comfortable than fullsuits because they allow for greater flexibility and ease of removal. However, before you buy a wetsuit for triathlons, make sure to consider the material and thickness of the outer shell.

Thick Suits May be Too Big

If you have a muscular body, thick suits may be too big for you. The thicker the wool, the wider the shoulders will look. Instead, choose thin fabric. If the jacket is too long, the sleeves may swallow up the shirt's sleeve. This is a common mistake made by men. If you are not particularly tall, you may be able to wear a suit without too much extra bulk.