What’s the distinction between a swimming wetsuit and a diving wetsuit – Blueseventy usa

Both are neoprene fits, however they clear up completely different issues. A swimming wetsuit helps an environment friendly floor stroke, improves physique place, and lets a skinny layer of water in so your physique can heat it. A diving wetsuit resists abrasion at depth, handles strain, and works with a separate buoyancy system. The variations present up within the neoprene, the match, the guarantee, and the way in which the go well with behaves within the water.

Surface swimming vs. depth

A swimming wetsuit is lower for horizontal motion. The shoulders should rotate freely by hundreds of freestyle strokes, and the go well with ought to carry the hips and legs so that you trip greater within the water. A diving wetsuit is lower for vertical motion and extended submersion. Thicker panels, heavier zippers, and abrasion-resistant faces matter greater than shoulder turnover.

blueseventy builds for floor swimming solely. The line is swim-specific, from the Helix race go well with to the Sprint entry-level go well with.

Neoprene: flexibility vs. thickness

Diving fits use thicker neoprene panels as a result of water strain compresses neoprene at depth. That further materials helps in a dive profile, however it resists the attain and catch of a freestyle stroke.

Swimming wetsuits use thinner, extra versatile panels within the arms and shoulders. blueseventy wetsuits use Yamamoto neoprene in 38, 39, and 40 cell. The greater the cell quantity, the extra versatile the fabric. The Helix, for instance, makes use of skinny, versatile neoprene within the arms and shoulders, plus a permeable catch panel that preserves really feel for the water.

Buoyancy: physique place vs. strain administration

In swimming, a wetsuit helps increase the hips and legs, which reduces drag. Buoyancy equals pace within the water. LIFT buoyancy panels within the Helix goal that assist.

A diving wetsuit adjustments buoyancy because it compresses with depth. Divers handle that change with weights and air. A blueseventy wetsuit supplies buoyancy, however it’s not a Coast Guard-certified private flotation gadget. Treat it as a swim support, not a security gadget.

Fit and water entry

A swimming wetsuit ought to really feel cosy on dry land and extra snug as soon as water enters and warms. The skinny water layer is a part of the insulation system. The go well with will not be waterproof and doesn’t preserve you dry.

Put on a blueseventy go well with with the pads of your fingers, not fingernails. Fingernail punctures are the most typical harm and usually are not lined beneath guarantee. Work the neoprene up in levels and verify that the shoulders are seated earlier than you decide the match.

Thermal safety

Diving fits are constructed for longer publicity at depth, so thermal safety is a central design objective. Swimming wetsuits present added thermal safety, however heat will depend on water temperature, publicity time, and the person.

Below about 56 to 58°F, a purpose-built thermal go well with such because the blueseventy Thermal Reaction, absolutely lined with Zirconium jersey, is designed for cold-water swimming. Above about 70 to 72°F, a full go well with can really feel too heat over longer swims. That is the place a sleeveless go well with just like the Reaction Sleeveless or a swimskin turns into a better option.

Durability and care

Diving fits are constructed for heavy contact. Swimming wetsuits, particularly race fits, use thinner neoprene that rewards cautious dealing with. The Helix is the blueseventy race-day go well with. Its skinny neoprene can break down extra shortly with frequent coaching use, so blueseventy recommends the Reaction or Fusion for swimmers who practice as soon as every week or extra.

Rinse your go well with in recent water after ocean or chlorine swims. Dry it inside out first, then flip it proper facet out. Keep it away from direct warmth and sharp fingernails.

Can I put on a diving wetsuit for open water swimming?

You can bodily put on one, however it’ll battle your stroke. Thick shoulder panels and heavy zippers prohibit rotation, and the additional insulation can overheat you in water the place a swim go well with is snug. For a brief social swim, it may well work. For coaching or racing, use a swim-specific go well with.

Can I take advantage of a blueseventy swimming wetsuit for diving?

No. Swimming wetsuits usually are not constructed for the compression, abrasion, and zipper a great deal of diving. Diving in a blueseventy go well with can harm it and voids the guarantee. The guarantee covers manufacturing and materials defects for one yr for the unique proprietor, with technical race swimwear at six weeks. Diving, browsing, scuba, kayaking, and different non-swimming use void it.

Which blueseventy wetsuit matches your swimming?

Start with the kind of swimming you really do.

• First open-water race or entry level: Sprint.
• Frequent coaching, shorter swims: Fusion. The 2021 redesign has a lower-sitting neckline.
• Frequent coaching, longer swims: Reaction. Higher-grade neoprene than Fusion, constructed for frequent use.
• Race-day efficiency: Helix. Thin, versatile arms and shoulders, LIFT buoyancy panels, and a catch panel.
• Cold water under about 56 to 58°F: Thermal Reaction with Zirconium jersey lining.
• Warm water above about 70 to 72°F or simpler match: Reaction Sleeveless.

Quick guidelines

• Surface swimming and triathlon: select a swimming wetsuit.
• Depth and submersion: select a diving wetsuit, not a blueseventy go well with.
• Use the scale chart and match information earlier than shopping for.
• Assume the go well with is extra buoyancy, not a private flotation gadget.
• Rinse and dry after each swim.
• Take a take a look at swim. blueseventy enables you to swim in a go well with and nonetheless return or trade it whether it is clear, dry, unmodified, and has tags and equipment.

If you’re shopping for a swimming wetsuit, the take a look at swim issues greater than any spec sheet. Find your dimension, take the go well with to the water, and really feel how your shoulders transfer. All for the swim.