North Wash Outfitters has, for several months now, been selling Hyperflex wetsuits. The Hyperflex wetsuits are some of the best wetsuits on the market now. There are many things to consider however when looking into purchasing a wetsuit.
Wetsuits are sometimes referred to as a necessary evil of canyoneering. With the potential for hypothermia due to cold water encounters, wetsuits have become necessary to keep the Canyoneer warmer. On the flip side, they are sometimes bulky and awkward to move and climb in, and they are frequently damaged from the canyon walls scraping them up during slides, stems, and swims. A novice Canyoneer knows that the wetsuit will need to be replaced on a regular basis, and usually for someone that is out a lot, at least once a season.
There are many types of wetsuits on the market. Some of these are good and some are better. Things to think about when looking at a wetsuit are going to be: fit, size, thickness, length, construction, and cost.
Fit: You need to be comfortable in the suit. You need to be able to maneuver and function in the suit. Often times a suit that has been designed for Scuba Diving is often too tight. Suits that are built a little looser, usually for sports requiring movement such as surfing, are much better to use in canyoneering. They are also made in Men's and Women's. Men's sizes account for broader shoulder's where womens account for a potentially larger hip and chest area.
Size: Again with movement and Fit, size is important. A suit too tight will will be hard to move in, a suit too loose will be awkward and chafe.
Thickness: The time of year and type of canyon you are going in to will dictate the thickness of wetsuit you should be looking at. A canyon trip during the colder months will require a much thicker wetsuit than a canyon trip during the summer. Another consideration is the amount of exposure you expect to encounter. Exposure time refers to how long or how much time you are going to be spending in the water in a canyon. Some canyons have only poos or pot holes where other canyons such as the Black Hole have large lengths of swimming. Canyons by nature are deep and narrow and therefore the sun has a hard time hitting the water or is only on it for a short period of time. This causes the water to stay a constant cold temperature without chance of getting heated. Another factor created by the layout of canyons and the amount of sun exposure is how much sun you are going to be able to be in. Some canyons allow you time to get in the water and then have a place to get in the sun and warm up. Other canyons have no possibility at all for sun exposure. Each persons body type is going to be different. You need to know what your body type is and how much protection you need. If a wetsuit is not enough protection for you, you may need to look into a dry suit. Common thicknesses of wetsuits range from 2mm to 7mm. They are often times listed in dual numbers i.e. 4/3mm. This means that the part of the wetsuit covering the torso will be 4mm thick and the part of the suit covering the extremities is 3mm thick.
Length: There are two basic lengths, but also several other options to add on. Each one is a consideration again based on your exposure and your bodies tolerance to cold. The two most common lengths are "full length" and "shorty." Full length simply means that it covers the entire body except the head and neck, hands, and feet. Shorty is going to be much "shorter." It is a short sleeve on the arms and short legs, just above the knee. Other options are a "Farmer John" or Farmer Jane." These are full length legs w/ a sleeveless top. Most wetsuits are built as one piece suits, but can be purchased in two pieces. Add ons are also available in the form of hoods, vests or a combination of both.
Construction: Some canyoneers don't consider construction of the suit to be a huge determining factor when purchasing the suit. When talking about construction usually the best thing to look at is the sewing and the seams. A well made suit is going to have good sewn seams and those seams are going to also be glued. Having the seams glued allows less water exchange to take place between the inside and the outside. Wetsuits keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water between the suit and your body. Your body then heats up that water layer keeping you warm. If you have loose sewing or unglued seams it allows this warm water to leave the suit and the cold water to enter more often. This does not help to keep you warm when your body is constantly being required to re-heat new water.
Cost: Unfortunately most people consider cost as the determining factor in purchasing a wetsuit for canyoneering. As mentioned wetsuits get beaten up in the normal course of use and therefore a hugely expensive suit seems kind of overkill to be replacing all the time. A cheap wetsuit will be less painful to the pocket book when it needs to be regularly replaced. Also by cheap I refer to the construction. A less expensive suit is going to be on the lower end of the quality spectrum. A suit that is a bit more expensive may be a bit harder to swallow when it comes time to replace, but it may last longer with a better quality of construction. Wetsuits are going to range in price from $50.00 to $130.00 for the most commonly used types depending on lengths and construction and with out any add ons.
A wetsuit can make or break your Canyoneering day. If you don't have the proper equipment it could not only make your trip uncomfortable, it could turn your trip into a disaster. Many people have had to be rescued from canyons when they ended up developing hypothermia because they were unprepared with enough wetsuit protection. Check your canyons, check the weather, and know your body type so that you can have the proper thermal protection to make your next trip an enjoyable one.
North Wash Outfitters is also looking for used wetsuits. When most Canyoneers wear out their wetsuits they throw them away. There are so many holes in them that they become practically useless. We want them instead of having them end up in the dumpster. We are offering a $15.00 credit towards a new wetsuit or equipment for each used wetsuit mailed in to us. All you need to do is fill out our Wetsuit Rebate Form and mail it along with the used wetsuit(s).
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