Wild Blue Neoprenes
WILD BLUE NEOPRENES
All wetsuits are not created equal.
The major difference between wetsuits is the quality of the neoprenes used. Some neoprenes are softer than others, some are tougher and others are more compression resistant. Here we will outline the different neoprenes used in Wild Blue's extensive range of suits so you can match the right suit to your diving needs.
A wetsuit essentially has three layers, the outer-skin, the core and the inner-lining. 
The outer-skin is either a nylon-jersey that protects the core and can be printed with camo patterns etc or a smooth skin that repels wind and glides through the water better but offers little or no abrasion resistance. Divers who are at all hard on their gear probably shouldn't consider a smooth skin.
The inner-lining on a freedive suit is generally open-cell. This sticks to the skin preventing water-movement and is extremely comfortable. It is however relatively fragile and requires soapy water to don the suit. The other popular lining in freedive suits is a metal-like, slick lining. Despite what manufacturers may claim it offers no added warmth but does make getting it on easier. Nylon, polypropylene, merino...ad infinitum... linings are used for one thing only: Ease of donning. They do not offer added warmth or comfort and, in fact, shouldn't be considered if you intend to spend more than a couple of hours at a time in the suit.
The core of the suit is the most important. This makes up 95% of the bulk of the suit, is the part that keeps you warm and the part that dictates the stretchiness of the suit. Here are the different cores used in Wild Blue suits:
Nam Liong has become the leading manufacturer of the specialized neoprenes used in performance wetsuits. Divers who have experienced this rubber will have a hard time wearing anything else!
The ones used in our suits are:
 3D Skin
Simply the best neoprene on the market. Extremely stretchy but more compression resistant than any other low-density neoprene. This neoprene has a marked elastic memory compared to others and means suits will hold their shape longer and, unlike softer neoprenes, will not become compressed over time. This is the ideal material for New Zealand divers. Most Effesub suits are made of this material
 Super -Stretch 1
As an ultra-low density neoprene it is extremely comfortable but has little compression resistance. Suits made of this material are best suited to newer ie shallower divers or those who don't mind buying a new suit every season.
 Yamamoto #39
Long regarded as THE neoprene for freediving suits, Yamamoto 39 is a low density neoprene offering a real compromise between flexibility and durability. Yamamoto suits are ideal as a first freedive suit or for those who are hard on their gear. This material is used in the Black Dog suits.
Heiwa
The Heiwa neoprene used in our suits is a medium density. This neoprene is very hard wearing and compression resistant making it ideal for divers who like to drag themselves through the rocks and scuba divers. This neoprene is used in the Competitor and Weekend Warrior suits.
|
