West Lotus Men's 5/4/3 Airo Chest Zip Winter Steamer

West 5x4x3 Lotus Airo Fluid Wetsuit 2011/12 West offers state of the art design and technology in the LOTUS wetsuit. The use of 100% West Gen-3 Ultraspan neoprene, fluid seams and minimal seam design makes the LOTUS the premium cold water wetsuit. Features: AIR-O NEOPRENE West Air-O Neoprene combines three layers of neoprene which are bonded together. The middle layer is a honeycomb construction which creates small pockets of air that are quickly heated up by the body, this adds to the thermal properties of the neoprene as well as being light and more flexible. WEST GEN-3 ULTRASPAN West Gen-3 Ultraspan is a high performance nylon based fabric which is laminated to the Eco-prene. Gen-3 Ultraspan has a 300% stretch factor. Benefits for the surfer: warmer, superior flexibility and incredibly comfortable. WEST BLUE FLAME PYRO-FIBRE West Blue Flame Pyro-fibre is a thermal insulating, lightweight jersey that wicks away moisture and helps to maintain the body’s core temperature. Benefits for the surfer: a lighter and warmer wetsuit. LIMESTONE BASED NEOPRENE West’s wetsuits are made from 100% limestone based neoprene which West calls “Ecoprene”. Limestone rock is derived from shell secretions of marine organisms that have fossilised over millions of years and turned into limestone. This limestone is processed using hydro electricity which makes West Ecoprene far more environmentally friendlier then petroleum based neoprene. West Ecoprene has a higher close cell content and thicker wall structure than petroleum based neoprene. This makes Ecoprene a high performance neoprene with more stretch, better thermal properties and a lowered water absorption rate of less than 2% lighter and warmer wetsuit when wet. THERMAL MESH SKIN Thermal Mesh Skin works in the same way that a solar panel absorbs heat from the sun. Minimal water abortion reduces wind chill. These combined elements add greatly to West’s wetsuits thermal properties. Benefits for the surfer: increased warmth and a lighter suit due to less water absorption, less water absorption. SUPER LITE NEOPRENE GLIDESKIN OR S-FOAM S-foam a closed cell neoprene, S-foam is 20% lighter than regular foam and is manufactured from limestone. It is softer and has superior stretch with a lower water absorption rate than other neoprenes. Benefits for the surfer: lighter and more flexible wetsuit when dry and lighter and warmer wetsuit when wet. KNEE PADS K-foam has a higher density structure compared to other neoprenes, West uses K-foam for all kneepads because of its durability and hardwearing qualities. Hard wearing skins (tatex, plasma and P.U.) are applied on top of the K-foam knee pads adding to the durability while still allowing full movement of the knee. STRESS TAPPING AND REINFORCED DOTS West Melco taps and dots all the stress points in wetsuits. This is a heat tap or dot that is ironed on to the stress points in the seams, joins or the base of zip, to give more durability to the wetsuit. Benefits for the surfers: a more durable wetsuit that will give the surfer more surfing time and less warranty issues. FORTE COLLAR BATWING CLOSURE West wetsuits feature a fully adjustable neck closure system which covers the zip head to stop water entry through the collar and zip track. It also closes around the neck to provide a complete seal no matter what neck size. Benefit to the surfer: a warmer and more comfortable wetsuit. FLUID SEAMS For extra water tightness seams can be sealed by either S Seal (Fluid Seams) which is liquid glue, Melco tape which is ironed on or neoprene tape which is hand glued on. GBS SEAMS Glued Blind Stitched: Is commonly called GBS or glue and blind stitched. West GBS seams are air tight. The first step in the construction process is to glue both sides of the two panels. West goes two steps further by triple glueing the seams and using exclusively Japanese glue which ensures superior quality. The panels are then butted together by hand and the air powered pincher is used to ensure the glue seam is bonded together. The key to the construction is when the seam is stitched; the thread must only go 1/3 to a 1/2 into the foam, to ensure an air tight seam. Benefits for the surfer: an air tight seam that allows no water to enter, keeping the surfer warmer.