The Fourth Element Thermocline is a neutrally buoyant wetsuit system,  lightweight, machine washable and equivalent protection to a 2mm neoprene wetsuit. However it has a number of big advantages over Neoprene for warm water scuba diving or surface water sports.

For one, while rare, neoprene allergies do exist, and the Thermocline entirely prevents them when worn either as your main suit, or as an extra layer under a neoprene suit in cooler water.

Further to that, it is neutrally buoyant and doesn't compress at depth - not affecting your weighting when you dive it as an underlayer. It uses high technology fabrics that won't crease like neoprene if you bundle it up and stuff it in the last corner of your dive bag, and is super lightweight to travel with.

Practical when out of the water, it has an inner fleece which draws moisture away from the skin and wicks through the breathable membrane where it evaporates off the nylon surface. In the water, the membrane traps a thin layer next to the skin and prevents colder water flowing over the body, perfect for surfers, freedivers and scuba divers. It is very quick drying, hang it inside out between dives and it may dry completely in only an hour.

The material is also machine washable, so you can say goodbye to smelly wetsuit odors. Give it a wash using something like environmentally friendly Fourth Element SUB30 washing liquid and it's good as new.

On the subject of the environment - Thermocline is part of the Fourth Element Ocean Positive range. Utilising a unique fabric made using ECONYL® 100% recycled nylon from ghost fishing nets and other discarded waste, laminated with a waterproof membrane and thermal fleece, Thermocline revolutionises the notion that being environmentally responsible means sacrificing performance or aesthetics. The next generation Thermocline fabric is the highest performing fabric we have ever made for this application and it feels as good as it looks. Its outer layer is 78% recycled nylon, from ‘ghost’ fishing nets and other post-consumer waste; this truly is good for the ocean.

Thermocline Shorts :

Designed to be worn under a wetsuit or on their own in warmer waters, the Thermocline shorts help to increase thermal protection to the body core. The shorts can also be worn with the short sleeved top to make a lightweight shortie wetsuit. The shorts are a smart alternative to board/swim shorts as the close-fitting material won’t ride up under a wetsuit. Worn under board shorts, the Thermocline shorts can provide that extra thermal protection allowing you to extend your season in the water with the freedom and comfort of shorts before moving to a full neoprene wetsuits. A high back means it won’t ride down when paddling or swimming.

Size Charts are downloadable here in Metric or in Inches