Wetsuit Technology

The materials used in a wetsuit must have certain characteristics.

Orca uses Yamamoto neoprene in all its products, a durable, lightweight and high- performance material. The construction of the panels and the combination of the various high-quality materials place our wetsuits at the forefront of the sector. Depending on where the material is placed, it will have to stand out in some aspects.

Elasticity

Elasticity is vital in those areas with greater range of motion for swimming, such as the shoulders, arms and back areas.

In areas with a lower range of motion it may seem irrelevant, however it is important to have elastic materials in those areas of the wetsuit to ensure optimal fit. The needs for elasticity are different in each area, depending on the type of movement that the wetsuit goes through.

Slow, long-stroke movements

In the shoulders and back, the wetsuits’ distortion from movement are of a large range of motion and a low speed. For these types of movements, the Yamamoto 44 and 40 technologies stand out, which are combined in the Infinity Skin lining.

In addition to these technologies, there is Yamamoto 39 technology, it has high elasticity that allows it to be used in different areas in mid-range wetsuit. For fast, short-stroke movements, 35% less force is required than with conventional wetsuits. For slow, long-haul movements, 45% less force is required than with conventional wetsuits.

Yamamoto 44, 40 and 39 technologies are combined with Super Stretch lining. This lining provides maximum elasticity and comfort, making the wetsuit feel like a second skin. In addition, its technology reduces odors and prevents the appearance of bacteria and irritation on the skin.

Fast short-stroke movements

In the elbow, the wetsuit will have to stretch in a very fast movement, and it will have to regain its shape in the shortest possible time so as not to create water pockets. In this aspect, 0.88 Free technology stands out, combined with the high elasticity Infinity Skin lining.

Short range movements

In the torso and legs, there is less distortion than in the upper body. In these areas, elasticity is not as important, so materials with more compressive characteristics such as the Yamamoto 38 can be used. This technology provides a good fit to the swimmer’s body, preventing the neoprene from separating from the skin and water flowing into the suit. In these areas, the Super Stretch lining, a nylon material that provides elasticity. It is composed of natural materials including bamboo fibers for greater flexibility and to prevent skin irritation. In addition, this lining reduces bad odors and prevents the presence of bacteria in the suit.

Neoprene

Neoprene Technologies

0.88 FREE

The 0.88 Free technology has been developed with Yamamoto exclusively for Orca. Stretching this neoprene requires 90% less strength than conventional neoprene, with immediate recovery.

Lining – INFINITY SKIN 2

The Infinity Skin 2 inner lining provides a feeling of absolute freedom. Designed from a high- elasticity nylon incorporating bamboo fibers, this technology is used in the lining of our wetsuit to provide greater flexibility in every stroke. It maintains body heat longer and reduces bad odors and the presence of bacteria in your neoprene. It is also composed of natural and environmentally sustainable materials, to avoid skin irritation and to care for the environment.

Lining – SUPER STRETCH

Super Stretch premium inner lining provides maximum warmth and comfort so that your suit feels like a second skin. The material’s composition makes the neoprene more flexible in your stroke, while providing the thermal insulation you need. Its technology reduces bad odors and prevents bacteria and skin irritation. This lining combined with the neoprene, creates one of the most flexible materials on the market.

Lining – Buoyancy

The buoyancy of a material helps the swimmer to maintain a proper position in the water, while saving energy.

Adjusting the buoyancy of each wetsuit panel can change the swimmer’s posture or correct the swimmer’s technical errors.

To check the buoyancy of the materials, we perform buoyancy tests in our facilities. In this aspect, Exo-cell, Exo-lift and Aerodome 2 technologies stand out, whose buoyancy is double that of a conventional 3mm neoprene. Buoyancy is combined with other properties according to the needs of each swimmer.

Buoyancy

EXO-LIFT – TOTAL BUOYANCY

EXO-LIFT is a sandwich construction, which combines a layer of neoprene, Aerodrome technology and a third layer of inner neoprene. This last layer of neoprene guarantees 0% water absorption, so the buoyancy of this material is consistent throughout the whole workout.

EXO-CELL – BUOYANCY AND THERMAL INSULATION

Exo-cell technology has a sandwich- like construction that consists of two layers of neoprene and a lightweight foam that provides maximum buoyancy to the swimmer. Thanks to its low density, it is one of the highest buoyancy materials available in the range, and with only 3% water absorption, its buoyancy does not decrease throughout the workout.

AERODOME 2 – BUOYANCY AND FLEXIBILITY

Aerodome 2 consists of small air cavities located between two layers of pre-treated neoprene which provides increased buoyancy. Unlike Exo-lift, the inner layer of this material is composed of a high-quality lining that gives the neoprene more elasticity. With only 3% water absorption, its buoyancy does not decrease throughout the workout.

Hydrodynamics

Hydrodynamics is important in wetsuits because it determines how the material glides in the water.

A material with good hydrodynamic properties will repel water, so that it does not stop the swimmer’s progress and flows easily over the surface of the neoprene.

The SCS Nano Ice and SCS coatings have been proven in our tests to be 68% and 60% less resistant to water flow than conventional neoprene, which translates into faster speeds when sliding over the water.

Coating

NANO ICE SCS -68% WATER FLOW RESISTANCE

Nano Ice SCS is a premium treatment in the high range, which improves the hydrodynamics of the most demanding swimmers

SCS -60% WATER FLOW RESISTANCE

The rest of the wetsuits in the Orca triathlon range include this treatment to guarantee optimal performance.

Thermal Insulation

In open water, we are not lucky enough to have fixed temperatures like we do in pools, so our wetsuit has to allow us to maintain an adequate body temperature to be able to safely perform at our best.

For optimal performance, the material must provide thermal insulation to the swimmer without compromising the flexibility of the suit.

Thermal insulation depends mainly on the thickness of the neoprene. To quantify the effectiveness of insulation, at Orca we check to see how much heat is lost with each material used in an hour. The following graph compares the heat loss from each material with what would be lost without wearing a wetsuit at all

in water at a temperature of 16 degrees and outdoor temperature of 25 degrees:

INSULATION

• 0.88 FREE 49%
• 39 (1.5 mm) 69%
• 39 (5 mm) 85%
• EXO-CELL (5 mm) 94%

For a minimum thickness of only 0.88 mm (0.88 Free), insulation is 49% higher than not wearing a wetsuit at all. With Yamamoto 39 and a thickness of 1.5 mm, the insulation is increased by up to 69%. The maximum insulation is achieved with a thickness of 5 mm, with Yamamoto 39 technology it reaches up to 85%, which increases to 94% with Exo-cell technology. The lightweight foam incorporated in exo-cell provides both thermal insulation and provides buoyancy.

Technique Correction

FEEL THE WATER (FTW)

The Feel the Water panel (FTW) allows you to feel the water with every stroke, so you forget you’re wearing a wetsuit.

CORE LATERAL STABILIZER (CLS)

The Core Lateral Stabilizer (CLS) system provides support in the abdomen area to prevent twisting while swimming.

HIGH ELBOW PANEL (HEP)

High Elbow Panel technology helps to keep your arm elevated before the grip phase, providing greater stability while swimming.

Comfort