Two Piece Wetsuit is it right for you?As technology improves top dogs eventually get knocked off their perch. Where the two piece wetsuit ruled underwater and was by far the most popular choice for scuba divers, there time has now come to and end.The top dog now is the steamer or full length wetsuit. The two piece wetsuit is still a good wetsuit, but there are now better options. What is a Two Piece Wetsuit?A two piece wetsuit has a jacket and separate bottoms that come up and over your shoulders.The bottoms provide thermal protection to your legs and up over your torso. They have shoulder velcro straps that keeps them in place. These bottoms are also called Farmer John's as they are a similar style to bibbed overalls. The jacket goes over the top of the Farmer John bottoms, they zip up the front and have a velcro crutch strap that pulls in between your legs to keep the jacket in place and not ride up over your head, it also ensures the jacket does not move around and spill water in and out. There are some variations on the shoulder strap. Some have a simple velcro attachment over each or just one shoulder. Another one I have seen has the back of the Farmer Johns longer than the front and you pull it over your head like a shirt and the bib velcros up to the front, these are used for more thermal protection, I will have to find a photo. Advantages and Disadvantages of a Two Piece WetsuitThe advantages of the two piece wetsuit were the additional or double layer of thermal protection over your torso. You also had the flexibility to wear the Farmer John bottoms in warmer water without the jacket, so it was a good all round wetsuit.The disadvantages of the two piece wetsuit was the additional neoprene reduced your flexibility and move ability and also increased your buoyancy. With the increased buoyancy came increased weight on your weightbelt and nobody I know likes to carry any more lead on the their weightbelts than they have to. The Future of the Two Piece Wetsuit?The two piece wetsuit appears to be doomed.Full length wetsuits have been designed to have just as much if not better thermal protection, thanks in part to design and technology improvements over the years. If you have a two piece wetsuit don't discard it, if you maintain it properly it will be perfect, I use a two piece wetsuit and the additional neoprene covering does not bother be once I'm underwater and I know I'm going to be warm, which is the most important thing in the end. If you would like more information on scuba wetsuits, have a look here. Have you every struggled into a wetsuit and thought this is all too hard? Well have a look here for some good tips on how to get into your wetsuit and out again. Also some important tips on choosing the best wetsuit for you. Oh and make sure you know the best way to look after your wetsuit. |
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