Why are most wetsuits black?

It has been a topic of discussion among wetsuit makers and divers. Wetsuits can be produced in any colour and customized patterns you desire, like white, pink, red, green, etc. Various wetsuits are available having different material quality, thickness, colour, compression, etc., to suit the varying water temperature.

Then why do the majority of divers and surfers wear black wetsuits? If you are seeking a solution to this question, the answers are not far.

Reason Number One: What Are Wetsuits Made of?

In search of possible answers to the question of why wetsuits are all black, let’s start right at the very beginning — the process of making a wetsuit. 

A wetsuit is made of stretchy synthetic rubber material like neoprene. Some wetsuits may be made from different materials, but neoprene is most commonly used in the industry. It is lightweight, flexible, and keeps the body warm while being in cold water. Also, it reduces quality degradation much better than natural rubber or other compounds.

The prevalence of black wetsuits can be traced back to a combination of material properties, practical considerations, and the history of wetsuit invention and manufacturing.

The Invention of the Black Wetsuits

When wetsuits were first invented in the late 1940s and early 1950s, neoprene was the main material used for insulation. Neoprene naturally has a black or dark gray colour. 

Neoprene, also known as chloroprene rubber, is created by polymerizing chloroprene. Chloroprene is a chemical compound derived from petrochemical processes. The polymerization process results in long chains of molecules, giving neoprene its flexible, rubber-like structure.

The black or dark gray colour of neoprene comes from the natural properties of the material and the chemical additives used in its production. 

The original colour of natural rubber extracted from trees is milky white latex. Carbon black is a vital ingredient in manufacturing neoprene, turning the rubber black. 

Did you know? Carbon black filler is used in rubber manufacturing as a stabilizing agent because it improves strength and durability. 

Typically, because of that, no additional colouring is needed, as the material itself is inherently dark. However, neoprene can also be manufactured in other colours by adding dyes or pigments.

The process begins with the production of chloroprene, which is then polymerized. This plastic is then turned into flexible rubber, which is used in various thicknesses and textures for different applications, such as wetsuits, insulation, and seals. For wetsuits, neoprene is often foamed to enhance its insulating properties.

 Neoprene is made into rubber blocks or sheets, which are then cut and shaped to the desired thickness and structure. These sheets or foils are then sewn and assembled into wetsuits and other products.

Early wetsuit designers, including Jack O’Neill, who is often credited with popularizing the wetsuit, consciously used the material as it was, without adding any additional dyes or pigments. The natural black colour made production simpler and cheaper.

A few years later, the first modern dry suit was developed in 1952 by Gerald L. D. E. Spindler, a German diver and engineer. While the differences between wetsuit vs. drysuit are hard to miss, the similarity of neoprene as their base material unites them in its black colour.  

Why Are All Wetsuits Black? — Practical Reasons 

Besides being cheaper because of the missing need to change the colour, the wetsuit does benefit from the black colour for further reasons. 

Carbon black dye is more resistant to UV rays damage and staining. Though neoprene is a strong and resilient material, it still becomes susceptible when stretched out over the body and exposed to water. 

When neoprene gets stabilized with carbon black, it exhibits higher viscoelasticity. Also, it absorbs oxygen at a lower rate — reducing oxidation and the natural ageing of the garment. In the absence of carbon black, rubber quality degrades when subjected to water pressure. 

This means, choosing black as the colour for wetsuits not only makes them cheaper, but also makes it easier for you to find the right wetsuit size and for the wetsuit to keep the size without stretching out excessively.

Reason Number Two: Why Do Surfers Wear Black Wetsuits? 

Whether you are looking for a wetsuit for triathlon, a swimming wetsuit or the best surfing wetsuit, your number one priority is most likely to feel warm and protected. And if you think back to the last time sitting in black clothes out in the sun, this next reason for why are most wetsuits black will not surprise you.

Thermal Efficiency

The dark colour of wetsuits, particularly black, plays a role in improving thermal regulation, especially in cold water environments. Black fabric absorbs more heat from sunlight than lighter colours, which can help keep you warmer when exposed to sun or in shallow waters where sunlight might penetrate. 

This absorption of heat provides an additional benefit in colder conditions, as it can slightly raise the temperature inside the suit, providing more comfort.

However, it’s important to note that the primary function of the wetsuit’s insulation comes from its material thickness and design, rather than just its colour. 

Materials such as neoprene or rubber, used in the suit’s construction, trap air and provide a thermal barrier that prevents heat from escaping. But when combined with the colour’s ability to absorb solar heat, black suits offer a small, yet valuable, thermal advantage.

The colour’s role becomes more significant in surface water activities or during breaks when the athlete is out of the water and exposed to the sun. It may not significantly impact deeper water dives, where sunlight doesn’t reach, but in conditions where some sunlight is present, black suits offer an edge in retaining warmth, adding an extra layer of comfort and protection from the cold.

On the other hand, a wetsuit is the first layer of defence against the sun and may offer more protection than sunscreen. Carbon black is used in the production of neoprene to offer protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation. 

It traps photons emitted from sunlight. Darker colours like black and navy blue absorb UV rays more rapidly than lighter shades like a white wetsuit. 

And Why Are Diving Suits Black?

Besides benefiting and also protecting from the sun, the black colour also acts as a defence against toxic minerals present in water. That makes your scuba wetsuit a priceless protection from any dangerous contents around you.

And even exploring the limits of how deep can a human dive will feel much safer knowing, even the colour of your wetsuit is helping to protect you.

Reason Number Three: Psychological Tricks

You might be wondering how psychology can give an answer to the question ‘why are all wetsuits black?’. 

But behavioural psychology and marketing can offer interesting insights into why wetsuits are predominantly black, focusing on factors such as perception and aesthetic choices that influence both product design and buying decisions.

Behavioural Psychology

Behavioural psychologists believe that wearing uniforms of the right colour helps reach ideal performance. The theory of Enclothed Cognition illustrates that attire impacts how we feel and behave. 

In experiment 1, the study revealed that individuals who wore white coats performed better at cognitive tests than those wearing casual clothes. 

In experiment 2, the participants who wore the same doctor’s coat were told it was a painter’s smock (apron worn by an artist) and fared worse than the individuals who assumed they were wearing doctor’s attire. In a nutshell, attention did not increase when the coat was not worn or associated with a painter’s coat. 

You act smarter if you think you are dressed like a doctor. The experiment demonstrated that our thought process gets influenced by physical attire. 

Meaning: Wearing a black wetsuit, like all the other successful water sport athletes, will improve your performance far more than you think.

Marketing Strategy

Black is one of the favourite colours for both men and women. It is a timeless colour and is considered the most stylish hue in the world of fashion. Not only does it make you look slimmer, sophisticated, and elegant, but minimizes the efforts in selecting outfits. 

Similarly, people prefer black wetsuits over other colours. Thus, the manufacturers produce black wetsuits to generate more sales.

And maybe it does have something to do with how cool Lara Croft and Co look in their black suits.

Reason Number Four: Are Colourful Wetsuits Dangerous?

Colourful wetsuits are not inherently dangerous, but there are some important considerations regarding safety and visibility that might make them more or less suitable in certain conditions.

Visibility in Water

Colourful wetsuits can actually be beneficial for safety in terms of visibility. Bright colours like neon green, orange, or pink can make a diver or swimmer much easier to spot, especially in open water or low-light conditions. 

This is particularly important in activities like surfing, kayaking, or open-water swimming, where being seen by other water users like boats or jet skis is crucial to avoid accidents.

On the other hand, if a wetsuit is too bright or patterned in ways that blend into the environment, it could lead to confusion or blending with surroundings in certain situations. 

This makes a whole list of colours you should not wear in the ocean, such as a green suit in seaweed-rich waters.

However, this is less common with modern wetsuits, which tend to have clear colour contrasts to stand out that might make it even easier to be seen than in a black wetsuit.

Do Sharks Prefer Colourful Wetsuits?

Some divers or surfers might worry about the colour of their wetsuit attracting marine life. For example, certain brightly coloured wetsuits could potentially attract more attention from marine animals, such as sharks, although there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support the idea that sharks are attracted to brightly coloured clothing. In fact, there are many myths about this topic.

On the other hand, darker colours, like black, may blend in more with the environment, making a person less noticeable to marine life. This could be an advantage in situations where avoiding attention from animals is a priority, though again, there’s no definitive evidence that colour directly influences shark or marine animal behaviour.

Conclusion: That’s Why All Wetsuits Are Black

In terms of popularity, functionality, versatility, and availability, black is the best colour. It offers numerous benefits than any other colour. These days you can find a variety of customized wetsuits of different colours, designs, and patterns. 

There has been an incredible technological advancement in terms of ergonomics and the weight of wetsuits. Despite this, black is a tested material that provides durability and keeps the body warm, and protects from ultraviolet radiation. And besides that, it also reduces the stress of choice on much more important questions, like ‘What to wear under the wetsuit?’ or ‘Where are the best surf spots in the world?’.

FAQ – Most asked questions