Garment for aquatic activities having increased elasticity and method of making same

摘要

An aquatic garment, such as a wet suit or dry suit formed of a water-impervious material having a thickness dimension sufficient to provide thermal insulation for a user during aquatic activities. The garment includes stretch areas having an array of grooves with a depth dimension sufficient to significantly increase the elasticity of the garment transverse to the grooves while maintaining the mechanical integrity and thermal insulation in the stretch area. Variation in the elasticity and in the direction or orientation of enhanced elasticity can be achieved by varying the spacing and direction along which the grooves extend. A method for formation of grooved aquatic garments to enhance their stretchability also is disclosed.