Closed Cell, Open Cell

[kd5gje]

Sorry if this has been brought up before, I searched and didn't find it.

Are all diving wet suits closed cell suits? I don't know too much about the suits but when taking my open water the shop owners showed us some O’Neil suits. He clamped off one of the sleeves at the shoulder and blew the sleeve up like a balloon. He then clamped off the end and it stayed blown up. They told us this was good because the water would not circulate through the suit as we swam and that would keep us warmer. They hinted that not all suits are this way but then again, they only sell O’Neil.

I was wondering if all diving suits are closed cell and if not, how do I know which ones are, I never see it in the description. I am guessing surfing suits are open cell? I did wear an old "diving" suit once that wouldn't hold water, it would strain it out like a sock but I don't know what it really was.

[navyhmc]

All of your modern neophrene is closed cell. It is airtight and watertight. all he did is make a big rubber balloon. The original wetsuits were made with open cell but that didn't last long. The big change in wetsuits came with the invention of Nylon II in the early 70' that is a laver if thin nylon was stuck to both sides of the neophrene to protect it.

Surfers Wetsuits are usually similar to divng ones usually thinner for the temp as they are out of the water a lot. Hope this helps.

[Puffer Fish]

The issue he was showing was that the seams are sealed, which is not the case with most suits. And yes, I find them to be warmer. They are my favorite suits, by the way, and I have Oceanic, Akona, Pinnacle and O'Neal suits.

[quasimoto]

Originally Posted by Puffer Fish

The issue he was showing was that the seams are sealed, which is not the case with most suits.

Don't know that I agree with most suits not being "sealed" stitching. Most will stitch so that it doesn't go all the way through the neo. If not there would be a lot of water flowing through a wet suit.

To the OP...yes wet suits are now closed cell.

[kd5gje]

Thanks guys for the info, that helps a bit. I will keep the sealed seems or half stitched seams in mind.

[Grin]

I have been diving the funky freediving type two piece beaver tail suits for a couple years. They are super warm and super easy to move around in and not quite as bouyant as normal suits. The downside is they don't have knee and elbow protection. Although that really has not been as big of a issue for me as I thought it would. I have a 3mm Picasso siut that was around $250. A 5mm Spiros custom suit that was around $225 delivered to my door. Both have the slick side of the neoprene on the inside and require getting them, at least, wet to slip on. I use some conditioner in a spray bottle to help sometimes. The custom suit is super nice as it fits like a glove for a 5mm suit. It also has 10mm of neoprene on the torso for super warmth. And both have attached hoods, which I like alot. When I hit the water I feel zero water intrusion as there are zero zippers and these suits are much easier to move around in, as they are made for freedivers to begin with. I believe both are closed cell neoprene. the Picasso is known for it's highly praised warm Yamato neoprene. I also have some regular one piece suits for mid summer.

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by quasimoto

Don't know that I agree with most suits not being "sealed" stitching. Most will stitch so that it doesn't go all the way through the neo. If not there would be a lot of water flowing through a wet suit.

To the OP...yes wet suits are now closed cell.

This issue varies tremendously.. some are glued and stitched, some glued and thru stitched, some are hardly glued at all. However, Oneal suits are "seam sealed", with a rubber tape over the seam. I don't know of anyone else that does that. The result is a zero leak seam. Some Henderson suits are not glued (or not glued enough to stop water coming out, some are.

How much difference does it make? I don't actually know, but the suits do feel warmer..