How Surf Wetsuits Have Evolved Over The Years

Since their debut in the 1950s, modern wetsuits have come a long way. What was once originally made from strips of plain, unlined neoprene has evolved to stylish suits that fit every need in the water. With improvements to design, buoyance, dryness, and style options, wetsuits are constantly evolving.

Improvement of Design – In1950, the very first wetsuit was crafted from foamed neoprene. The first version was unlined, and extremely fragile, resulting in unwarranted rips and tears. Through the years, to improve the longevity of the suit, wetsuit-manufacturing companies began sandwiching the neoprene between layers of stronger materials, such a polyester and nylon. As water sports became more popular we started to see varying levels of thickness for fluctuating temperatures.

In addition to the material, the seam construction also took a turn for the better. The first wetsuits were sewn with the materials overlapping, but continuously puncturing needle holes in to the neoprene actually did more harm than good. Today you’ll find wetsuits with taped and glued seams or blind stitches, versus your traditional sewing styles. The new seam technologies help to keep the heat in and the water out, without compromising the durability and flexibility of the suit.

From Wet to Dry – The material used in a suit plays a huge role in the insulation and whether it is considered a standard wetsuit or a dry suit. This first series of suits hardly kept any water out, and had a very loose fit. Throughout the years, wetsuits have adopted a more snug fit making it more efficient in trapping the heat in in colder waters. Dry suits are generally more expensive as they use a thicker neoprene and smarter technologies in the arm and leg holes to keep the water out.

Semi-dry suits are typically more affordable, a tad bit looser, and include more stylish options including spring suits or two-piece suits. These are more ideal for tropical settings, or summer surf trips.

Modern Styles – Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely seen a handful of varying wetsuit styles along your local beaches. Some of the modern designs we’re seeing in 2018 include sleeveless wetsuits, fashionable and functional zipper details, spring suits (which offer either a short sleeve or cropped leg style), high-waisted bikini style bottoms and long sleeve separates, neoprene one pieces, color-blocked and printed suits.

The modern day styles make choosing your wetsuit a lot more personalized compared to the traditional, all-black design that was born in the mid-1950s. They also add a flare of fashion, which earns five stars in our book!