If wet suits keep people that warm, why aren't they... - Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Football, Rugby, Cricket, Tennis, Formula One, WWE, IRL, NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, PGA, NASCAR

questiongeek · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 08:15 AM

...worn in very cold non-aquatic weather too?

softball1992 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 09:15 AM

because wet suits work by letting in a small amount of water and then heating up that water which keeps your body warm by keeping warm water near your body

awaywa · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008, 11:15 AM

A wetsuit does 2 things to keep you warm:

1. It keeps cold water out. The neoprene fabric is waterproof, most seams are waterproof, and the snug fit keeps water from flushing in through the hand, foot, and neck openings. The water that does come in suit warms up, but it doesn't actually warm you up since the heat originally came from your body to begin with.

2. The thickness of the wetsuit provides insulation from the environment. Of course, the thicker the suit, the more insulation it provides.

Because of the insulation it provides, a wetsuit will keep you warm on dry land. Just ask anyone who is getting ready to dive, surf, etc. on a warm day. However, since keeping water out in non-aquatic weather isn't an issue, there are more comfortable and lighter weight alternatives.