Why are most wetsuits black?

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

Then why do the majority of divers and surfers wear black wetsuits? If you are seeking an answer to this question, continue reading the blog till the end.

History of manufacturing of wetsuits

• The original color of natural rubber extracted from trees is milky white latex. Carbon black is a vital ingredient in manufacturing neoprene, turning the rubber black.
• Carbon black filler is used in rubber manufacturing as a stabilizing agent because it improves strength and durability. 
• Neoprene does not physically degrade, making it suitable for high-temperature applications. Due to thermal resistance properties, it is used to manufacture wetsuits. 
• Nitrogen is further added to increase insulation for buoyancy.

What is a wetsuit made of?

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 purpose of wetsuits

• The temperature drops as scuba divers go deeper below the surface level of the ocean. This temperature is not conducive to the human body. Hence, it becomes imperative to keep the body warm while staying underwater for prolonged periods.
• Wetsuits are primarily intended for surface swimmers and divers to stay warm in the water. If you do not wear a wetsuit, your body will start shivering after a few minutes due to cold water.
• The bubbles also provide the wetsuit with a low density to provide buoyancy which is necessary for safety. Foamed neoprene helps the swimmers to stay afloat in the water. 
• Your body loses heat and energy more quickly in water than through air. Cold water does it a lot faster than warm water. The wetsuit acts as a thin layer between your skin and cold water to insulate the heat. Insulation is proportional to the thickness of 5 to 6 millimeters of neoprene and depends on how much cold water users can tolerate.
• Wetsuits are designed to protect your skin from environmental hazards like sunburn, abrasion, chilly winds, etc.
• Wetsuits prevent scuba divers from getting stung by aquatic creatures like jellyfish, crabs, etc. when they go deep below the surface of the sea. It protects from wounds and cuts from rocks, corals, or other sharp objects present in water.

Water temperature

Different types of wetsuits are made for different water temperatures and different purposes. The thickness of wetsuits may vary, ranging from 0.5mm to 7mm. The thicker wetsuits provide more insulation and protection in cold water, whereas the thinner ones offer lighter insulation in warmer water.

A minimum 7mm thick wetsuit is needed for water temperature below 42 degrees Fahrenheit and if you engage in vigorous activity when the water temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It is ideal wearing a wetsuit at a temperature lower than 62 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wetsuits vs. Drysuits

A drysuit is a loose-fitting waterproof garment not intended to provide warmth. As the name suggests, they keep you completely dry by ensuring water does not get into the suit. They are fully sealed to prevent water from entering and coming into contact with the skin.

Basis	Wetsuit	Drysuit
Fit	Skin-tight	Loose-fit
Mobility	Easier to move comfortably and quickly in the water	They are baggy and slow down the speed of the diver
Material	Foam neoprene	Rubber, nylon, or neoprene
Thermal insulation	For cold water	For extremely cold water
Useful life	They are more likely to deteriorate after a few years of regular use.	They can last over ten years with proper care and maintenance.

Why are most wetsuits black?

Wearing a black wetsuit while performing water sports provides many inherent advantages. The reasons why black color is the optimum choice for any wetsuit are as follows:

1. Protection from ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure

Divers, swimmers, surfers, etc., spend a lot of time in water and are exposed to sunlight. The color of your clothes can affect how well it shields your skin from harmful UV rays. Darker colors like black and navy blue absorb UV rays more rapidly than lighter shades like white. 

A wetsuit is the first layer of defense 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. It also acts as a defense against toxic minerals present in water.

2. Helpful during emergencies

Bright-colored wetsuit improves the level of contrast in the water. It becomes a vital tool for rescuers if someone drowns or gets lost in the sea. High contrast becomes an essential aid for the rescue crew to locate the drowning victim.

3. Cost-effective to manufacture

During the earlier years of rubber manufacturing, carbon black was used as a low-cost stabilizing agent. Colored neoprene is very expensive even today.

Rubber often takes black color when stabilizing compounds are combined with it during rubber production. It improves insulation and abrasion resistance. Carbon black makes the material resilient whether it is used for making wetsuits or other maritime applications.

4. More Durable and effective

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 aging of the garment. In the absence of carbon black, rubber quality degrades when subjected to water pressure. 

The wetsuit expands and adapts itself when the body stretches during diving, swimming, or surfing. It does not lead to wear and tear and keeps you warm and dry.

It is difficult to find a wetsuit offering the same degree of functionality, durability, and flexibility even with patented fabric manufacturing and technological advancement.

Viscoelasticity means having appreciable elastic properties- the capacity to maintain strength (proper functionality) even when stretched. 

5. Regulate the body temperature and better warmth retention

Black absorbs more heat and makes you feel warmer in cold ocean water. It traps the heat and regulates the body’s temperature. Most wetsuits are made of neoprene since they can withstand varying temperatures, sunlight, and salty water. For example, the wetsuit will keep you cool in hot water and warmer in cold water.

Also, carbon black reduces the deterioration of the rubber material. It can retain the heat and keep the body warm for a prolonged period than any other color. Some wetsuits also contain additional layers of carbon fiber to offer further thermal protection.

6. Improves the performance far more than you think

Behavioral psychologists believe that wearing uniforms of the right color 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 wearing a white coat improves attention span and enhances task-related performance. Our thought process gets influenced by physical attire.

7. Marketing strategy 

Black is one of the favorite colors for both men and women. It is a timeless color and is considered the most stylish hue in the world of fashion. Not only does it makes you look slimmer, sophisticated, and elegant, but minimizes the efforts in selecting outfits. Similarly, people prefer black wetsuits over other colors. Thus, the manufacturers produce black wetsuits to generate more sales.

8. To reduce the risk of the shark attack

Despite the widespread rumors, there is no solid evidence to prove that sharks get attracted by specific colors. Sharks can see colors but it is believed that contrast is most perceptible to them.

But sharks can easily detect the wetsuit color that is in sharp contrast to skin color. Thus, you must refrain from wearing colors like white, yellow, pink, orange, etc with contrasting colors like white and black. Sharks and other predatory animals also get attracted to glittering objects like diving glasses and jewelry.

The color of the wetsuit makes little difference, but the black color poses less risk compared to other colors. Studies reveal that the safest color in terms of shark safety would be the color that mimics the surroundings. Anything, in contrast, might catch the eye of the shark.

To be on the safer side and practice better precautions, it is advisable to buy equipment (fins, mask, tank, and wetsuit) of dark color. To avoid the potential threat, you should avoid wearing bright yellow, orange, and white colors because they contrast against the dark background of water.

Why is black preferred over other colors?

• Black wetsuits look less dirty, and are less likely to fade over time.
• Other colors would look different as you travel deeper into the water. But the black suit would remain the same.
• A black wetsuit heats up more quickly in the sun.
• Dark-colored clothes like black and navy blue tend to dry slightly faster than light-colored clothes like white because it reflects less infrared. The high-frequency wavelength of sunlight elevates the fabric’s warmth and speeds up the drying process. In other words, it absorbs more light and evaporates the water faster.

Multicolour vs. Single color wetsuits

There is a common misconception that wetsuits with multiple colors offer better functionality than single-colored wetsuits. 

Different colors get manufactured from different materials and possess distinct properties. They react differently when exposed to sunlight, harmful ultraviolet radiation, and other factors significant to surfers or divers. On the other hand, the single color offers uniform protection.

Colorful and printed wetsuits are designed to fool underwater predators like sharks and whales. The patterns and textures make it impossible for a shark to identify the animals. Also, they will hesitate to bite the diver or surfer if they cannot identify an object to seek safety. 

False Myths: Safety from aquatic creatures (sharks and whales)

There is also a misconception that sharks might mistake a surfer for a seal due to a similar appearance when wearing a black wetsuit. Contrarily, some research shows that sharks are more attracted to bright and high contrasting colors like red, pink, yellow, orange, etc. 

They do not intentionally target humans, but solid black color against blue water resembles a seal on the water surface. They rely on the investigatory bite to gather more information about objects if they cannot recognize them. Shark bites could cause severe blood loss or even death.

However, as per statistical data, sharks attacking a human is very rare. Also, sharks have very sharp vision and can easily differentiate between a human and a seal.

Scientific studies confirm that sharks and killer whales can identify their prey through the smell of blood in the water using their senses.

Shark attack events are rare. The odds of being attacked and killed by a shark are very negligible. As per statistical data, 1 in 37,48, 067 people may be a shark attack victim- i.e., the probability of getting attacked is as low as 0.0000266%.

“When I go diving, I wear black gloves with my black wet suit.”
Shark expert, George Burgess

Wrap Up: That’s why all blacksuits are black

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

There has been an incredible technological advancement in terms of ergonomics and the weight of wetsuits. Despite this, black is tested material that provides durability and keeps the body warm, and protects from ultraviolet radiation.