| technology, getting conflicting facts I decided to go
to the experts and our South Bay's own Body Glove came to the rescue. Some
of what follows may seem like a silly questions, but they are things I've always wanted to
know. Considering the raised eye brows of my buds, we found out some good info. I thank Body Glove's Randy
Meistrel and Scott Daley for their time:
Is what's called a full suit always one piece?
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Yes. |
What's a Long John?
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A Long John is a full leg suit with a
tank top (sleeveless). You don't see a lot of these anymore, they were more common some
years ago. There is also a Short John which is a short leg suit with a tank top. |
Is a dive suit different from a surf suit?
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Underwater suits are different from on-water
suits. Dive suits are generally thicker, and divers prefer less a stretchy fabric suits as
it creates compression problems around 30 feet. |
What's the thickest and thinnest surf suits available?
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The range is from 7mm to 1.5mm. |
Do millimeters directly correlate to heat?
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Yes, the thicker the warmer, but body
structure and fat are more important; more fat generally needs less thickness. And it's
important to consider that thickness compromises flexibility. |
Now I know most manufacturers have cheaper and more expensive
suits; I'd like to go over the difference. First, what are the range of Body Glove's
suits?
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The cheapest retails for around $99
while the best goes for around $350, that's the Body Glove LINK suit which is fully
loaded. |
Can you go over the basic differences?
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Typically, cheaper suits are
"flat locked", four needle hole stitching at the seams and zippers, …holes
leak allowing cold water to circulate in the suit. More expensive suits are glued, then
blind stitched, then taped all minimizing water circulation …or heat release at the
seams or zipper. There are partially taped suits (zippers, not seams, etc.) or a suit can
be just glued and blind stitched. |
What about that zipper, I heard of some suits without zippers?
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Yes, some high performance suits are
zipperless, this increases the suit's flexibility since zippers don't stretch. |
How do you get in and out of the thing?
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It's called the 'worm'. You enter
through the top of the suit, it is harder to get in and out of than a zippered suit. An
experienced buyer will always look for flexibility, a novice should always look for
something that fits first (no space between you and your suit). |
What's this about titanium suits, is there really titanium in
the suit?
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Yes, titanium is the new buzz word and
there is titanium in the suit. Suits are essentially NeophreneŽ with other products glued
to it like nylon; a nylon II suit is a suit with nylon glued on top and bottom. In
"Titanium" suits, titanium flakes are added to the glue that adheres the layers.
Others say this makes the suit 25% warmer, we are confident saying 20%. |
How should I care for my suit, do I really need to rinse the
thing out?
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Yes, always rinse it with fresh water.
Salt water will ultimately damage the elasticity of the suit, that's why the suit seems
smaller after some months. Don't hang it over the fence either. Sunlight damages the
NeopheneŽ which also works against the suit's elasticity. |
Okay, a couple of dumb questions now. I was watching interviews
with chewed surfers on the Discover Channel; they rationalized the black suits may remind
sharks of seals, is there any truth to this, is color a factor?
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"Yum-Yum yellow!" Actually,
sharks went for yellow suits most when tested. This may be because of a most prey's
lighter underbelly. |
What are those silly loops at the end of my rash guard
sleeves?
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Thumb holes. You stick your
thumbs in them so your sleeve doesn't roll up as you suit up. LycraŽ Hook & Loop as
its called (thumbs and feet), also comes on some full suits. |
Why are the arms and leg ends of your high end LINK suit
unfinished?
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That's for better sealing
restricting water circulation and keeping you warmer. |
I'm thinking of going all out and buying the best suit
available this time, I long can I expect it to last?
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Typically, suits will last the avid
surfer one year. The weekend surfer's suit can last two years. We of course, give a
lifetime warranty on the suit's construction, we give a one year warranty on the material.
The high performance materials used these days breakdown following prolonged exposure,
they become less flexible, less stretchy. |
I was looking at your suits on your website, what does '4/3'
and '3/2' and FGX mean?
|
'4/3' means 4 millimeter suit
thickness with 3 millimeter thick gussets (side panels). FGX-FLEX is new and is our
super-stretchy best stretch material which is available on our THERMOLATOR and top of the
line LINK suits. |
Well I guess that's it guys, information overload anyway. Thanks
a bunch, I feel like a pro now and I'm armed to spend.
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