Wetsuit Tip #9: The Lightweight Alternative

---- Updated Feb 2016 ----

We feature our Titanium range of lightweight 0.5mm thick neoprene gear and accessories for men and women. These items are super light-weight and suitable for just about any water sport activity where you need some warmth and protection. They are excellent for traveling as they don't take up much room at all in your bag. They also dry out very quickly which is a bonus.

So how does it work?

Half a millimeter of the worlds best neoprene the inside of which is coated with a Titanium alloy 'paint like' film. This coating of Titanium works wonders: As soon as you enter the water, your body heat tries to escape. As it hits the Titanium barrier, the escaping heat is reflected back towards your body, continually. Every time you move, paddle or expel energy, more heat is created and reflected back at you. Increasing your thermal heat retention exponentially.

How Titanium lined neoprene works. Source: Yamamoto

http://www.seventhwave.co.nz/shop/summerwetsuits/mens/Titanium+Hot+Top.html

Titanium Hot Top - Short Sleeve

Winter or Summer? When can I use it?

You can wear them all year round. Great on their own in summer time and as an extra layer under your wetsuit during winter. Giving you a real boost in warmth and minimal extra thickness.
Being thin and light they pack down to a very small size which makes them easy to stow away for any emergency.

Don't like wearing a full wetsuit?

You're not alone, many of our Titanium converts have never liked or worn wetsuits. The Titanium Hot Top and and Pants combo are easy to slip into and not bulky. Yes, they stretch because they are so thin and they mold to your body which makes them feel great on. If you prefer to have your arms free, consider a Titanium Vest.

How should they be worn?

Fit is the most important factor with any wetsuit. "The firmer the fit = The warmer the suit"
The Titanium range works the same and should be worn as a firm comfortable fit. Sizes can be mixed, you may be a size medium in shorts and a size large in upper body. Everybody is different. This can also eliminate the need to have the full Custom-Fit service.

Add Titanium shorts or longs to a Hot Top for a comfortable wetsuit alternative

What are they good for?

SUP
Swimming
Bodyboard
Kayaking
Yachting
Surfing
Wake Boarding
Jet Skiing
Multi-Sport
Diving
Snorkeling
Windsurfing
Kiteboarding
Canyoning
Mud Plugging

Shop [here] for all the Seventhwave Lite Gear range.

For more info on our products and materials please visit our [technical page]

What do others say about their Seventhwave gear?

"Eighteen months ago I purchased a MAX 2mm custom made Titanium wetsuit from Seventhwave, along with a Titanium Hot Top. Since then I have more than doubled the time I can spend in the water, even at temperatures of 16 to 20˚C. I recently added an Arctic Hood, 2mm gloves and a pair of 2mm Fin Sox. This can effectively triple my time in the water.

My Seventhwave Titanium wettie is the warmest, most comfortable suit I have ever worn. An added bonus is the after sales service at Seventhwave, which is really good.

Colleen Nacson, Sydney, Australia

Seventhwave Wetsuits are made in New Zealand from Japanese Yamamoto Limestone neoprene. We are different because we make each wetsuit Custom-Fit to the customers measurements. We like to get your measurements and details and then custom make your preferred wetsuit model and thickness to your exact size and shape. We think that's why we get such good feedback from our customers, many of whom come back again and again. To own a Seventhwave wetsuit is to support New Zealand made, to stand up for quality and to experience water sports in a new and warmer way.