Wetsuit

A wetsuit is a snug suit made from neoprene, a flexible foam rubber full of tiny gas bubbles that insulate against the cold. A thin layer of water seeps in and is warmed by the body, and the suit slows how quickly that warmth is lost, helping the wearer stay comfortable in cool or cold water. Thicker neoprene gives more insulation, while thinner suits allow more freedom of movement.

Wetsuits come in styles from sleeveless shorties to full-length suits covering the arms and legs, and are used across surfing, scuba diving, open-water swimming, triathlon and other water sports. They differ from a drysuit, which seals out water entirely rather than trapping a warmed layer against the skin.