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Open Water Swimming Wetsuits: Are They Really Less Buoyant? Debunking 1 Common Wetsuit Myth
Open water swimming wetsuits are better because they’re less buoyant. This is something we hear a lot.
It’s a claim that gets repeated regularly across watersports communities, but when you dig into the science behind wetsuit construction, the reality is a little different.
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Where Does Wetsuit Buoyancy Come From?
The overwhelming majority of a wetsuit’s buoyancy comes from the neoprene foam itself. Those tiny nitrogen-filled cells trapped within the neoprene provide both insulation and flotation.
The biggest factors affecting open water swimming wetsuit buoyancy are:
- Neoprene thickness (3mm, 4mm, 5mm etc.)
- Neoprene density and grade
- Total volume of neoprene used
What doesn’t significantly affect buoyancy is whether the neoprene is single-lined or double-lined.
Single-Lined vs Double-Lined Neoprene
Single-lined neoprene features fabric laminated to one side of the neoprene, leaving the other side as smooth-skin rubber.
Benefits include:
- Slightly lower weight
- Reduced water absorption
- Excellent wind resistance
However, smooth-skin neoprene is more vulnerable to tears, nicks and abrasion.
Double-lined neoprene has fabric laminated to both sides.
Cold open water swim gear
Cold open water swim gear from NCW will keep you going through all seasons in the UK. Check out this article that debunks 1 common wetsuit myth with regard to open water swimming. Also, this article which gives some insight into the activity.
Want to read our fair returns policy first?Benefits include:
- Greater durability
- Improved abrasion resistance
- Easier to put on and take off
- Better long-term longevity
The trade-off is that it can absorb a little more water and may feel slightly heavier when wet.
Does Double-Lined Neoprene Make You More Buoyant When Open Water Swimming?
In practical terms, no.
If two wetsuits use the same neoprene grade and thickness, the difference in buoyancy between single-lined and double-lined construction is extremely small. Most swimmers would never notice it on the water.
For example:
- A 5mm double-lined wetsuit is not noticeably more buoyant than a 5mm single-lined wetsuit.
- A 5mm wetsuit of either construction will be significantly more buoyant than a 3mm wetsuit.
The difference in buoyancy between single-lined and double-lined is probably only a few percent at most. Thickness matters. Lining construction doesn’t.
Why Watersports Athletes Choose Double-Lined Wetsuits
For activities such as surfing, wing foiling, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking, durability is often more important than chasing tiny theoretical differences in buoyancy.
Double-lined neoprene stands up better to:
- Board decks
- Harnesses
- Foil equipment
- Beach launches
- General wear and tear
That’s why many premium watersports wetsuits continue to use high-quality double-lined neoprene construction.
And all this, in turn, benefits open water swimming as well.
The Bottom Line
The idea that open water swimming wetsuits are dramatically less buoyant because they use smooth-skin or single-lined neoprene is largely a myth.
If buoyancy is your concern, focus on wetsuit thickness and neoprene quality. The difference between 3mm and 5mm neoprene is substantial. The difference between single-lined and double-lined construction is minimal.
Choose the wetsuit that best suits your sport, your conditions and the level of durability you need—not one based on a misconception about buoyancy.
Cold open water swim gear
Cold open water swim gear from NCW will keep you going through all seasons in the UK. Check out this article that debunks 1 common wetsuit myth with regard to open water swimming. Also, this article which gives some insight into the activity.
Want to read our fair returns policy first?