Water conducts heat about 20 times better than air, so a diver needs thermal protection. This article is about the wet-type diving suit, the wetsuit.
What wetsuits are made of
Modern wetsuits are mostly made of neoprene, but there are also suits of Lycra, spandex and other materials. A modern neoprene suit usually has a plush lining, follows the shape of the body, and is elastic and strong enough.
Lycra suits keep in little heat: they are mostly meant to protect the diver from scrapes and other skin injuries in warm water.
How thick a suit you need
The thickness depends on the conditions you will dive in. By their thermal properties, suits fit these water temperatures:
| Water temperature | Suit |
|---|---|
| 24–29 °C | 1.6 mm neoprene, Lycra, Polartec |
| 21–29 °C | 3 mm neoprene |
| 18–24 °C | 5 mm neoprene |
| 10–21 °C | 6.5 mm neoprene |
Remember that neoprene compresses as the pressure increases, and then keeps you less warm.
A two-piece suit for Lithuanian water
Many manufacturers offer two-piece wetsuits, which in our view are ideal for our conditions. Lithuanian waters don't have time to warm up over the summer: even in midsummer the water at 10 m is only 12–15 °C. With a two-piece suit whose pieces are both 7 mm thick, you will feel fine diving in Lithuania all season.
For dive trips
On a dive trip, the main (first) piece of this suit will serve you well at practically any latitude. Many divers heading south choose a 1.5–3 mm shorty (a thin suit with short sleeves and short legs). That is a matter of taste, but in a suit that covers your arms and legs you feel much more comfortable and safer among venomous corals you may touch by accident, among jellyfish, or when you visit a wreck.
How to check that a suit fits
- The suit must fit snugly, so that water can't circulate between your body and the suit.
- It mustn't restrict your breathing or movement.
- Zips on the sleeves and legs are very convenient: they make the suit easier to put on and take off.
Colour
Lithuanians tend to be conservative and avoid bright colours, but remember: the more visible you are, the safer you are.
A well-chosen and well-cared-for wetsuit will last you for many years. You can try wetsuits on in our shop in Vilnius or choose one online.
Frequently asked questions
What wetsuit do I need for diving in Lithuania?
Lithuanian waters don't warm up over the summer: even in midsummer the water at 10 m is only 12–15 °C. In our view a two-piece suit with both pieces 7 mm thick is ideal: with it you will feel fine all season.
What wetsuit is good for dive trips?
The first piece of a two-piece suit serves well at practically any latitude. Many choose a 1.5–3 mm shorty for the south, but a suit that covers your arms and legs is more comfortable and safer among corals, jellyfish or on wrecks.
How do I know a wetsuit fits?
It must fit snugly, so that water can't circulate between your body and the suit, and it mustn't restrict your breathing or movement.