A wet suit is a wet suit is a wet suit. So how do you differentiate between them? Does it really matter if you decide to go scuba diving or windsurfing or snorkeling? How different are the wet suits for these applications from each other? Does it really matter if you get a wet suit for scuba diving and use it for water skiing instead? It does and it doesn’t.

Two basic things you need to look for when you a buying a wetsuit are fit and warmth. The wetsuit must fit you just right, if it is too big it can be almost useless. And you have to get the right wetsuit thickness for the water temperature. So it is very important where the wetsuit will be used. Will you go scuba diving in Tahiti, snorkeling in the Seychelles or deep sea diving around Northern Europe?

The main thing that makes wetsuits work and that keeps us warm is neoprene. Wetsuits are made out of rubbery material called neoprene that contains lots and lots of tinny little bubbles. These bubbles give the neoprene superb insulation capabilities. When you enter the water in your wetsuit another thing happens - a thin layer of water comes between you and your wetsuit and is heated by your body heat. So you are safe in a warm environment.

So how thick wetsuit do you need greatly depends on the water temperature. And water temperature depends on the location and time - where and when are you going to use your wetsuit. Another thing to consider is also your sex. Wetsuits for women are a bit different that wetsuits for men.

Women should always get a little warmer wetsuit than a man for the same water temperature. Why? Because womens body has comparatively more surface area then mens body. This is why women get cold faster. Also - a general rule is that a warmer wetsuit is more practical since if you feel warm you can always let some cold water in to cool you down but if you feel cold there is not much that you can do.

The other thing to keep in mind is that a two-piece wet suit is likely to keep you warmer than a one-piece wet suit. The two-piece wet suit has the benefit of double insulation around the groin and chest areas. However, double the insulation also leads to greater restriction in movement and greater buoyancy, which would require you to carry more lead, than you would have to in a one-piece suit of similar thickness.

After you identify the appropriate suit, look for one that fits you perfectly. To get the right size and fit are imperative for you. Once you take all these factors into account, you will be set to dive in, and dive deep.