Top 10 Best Scuba Diving Wetsuits

Now that you are getting into scuba diving, you know how important it is to have your own diving gear like a scuba mask, BCD, dive computer and fins to make you feel more comfortable and confident.

If you are looking to buy one of the best wetsuits out there, you have come to the right place. There are many models with various features and it might be complicated to make the right choice. I’ve reviewed the top rated divesuits, along with those I’ve tested myself, to create this list of the best scuba wetsuits.

Top 10 Best Wetsuits for Scuba Diving, Review

TOP END

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SCUBAPRO EVERFLEX STEAMER

The Scubapro Everflex Steamer is made of everflex neoprene with heliospan interior chest and back panels for extra insulation and warmth.

It features flexible kneepads, an comfortable lumbar panel for better forward mobility, double-blind-stitched outer seams, and single-blind-stitched inner seams for extra comfort and durability. 

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BARE VELOCITY

The Bare Velocity provides a great fit, comfort and mobility. It features an adjustable Velcro collar, zippered ankles to provide a tight seal, and knee pads for greater durability. You can find it in different thicknesses. The Bare Velocity is one of the most popular diving suits.

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WATERPROOF JUMPSUIT

The Waterproof Jumpsuit has a stunning anatomical, gender-specific design (the same model is also avalaible for women), and a fully Gusset neck zipper that relieves neck stress when on the surface.

The wrists and ankles are equipped with double neoprene seals with zippers for easier donning and doffing.

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O’NEILL HEAT 

The O’Neill Heat is made of UltraFlex DS neoprene with UltraFlex Firewall chest and back panels, which make for a super stretchy diving suit, that is easy to put on and take off and that is very comfortable underwater.

This is a 4/3mm wetsuit, which means it is made of two different thicknesses of neoprene. The 4mm covers most of the torso and arms, while the 3mm covers the legs. This system helps keep your body warm and provides more mobility for the legs.

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HOLLIS NEO TEK SEMI-DRY

The Hollis Neo Tek Semi-Dry offers great isolation for those diving in cold water. It provides double-glued seams for maximum protection against water intrusion. It’s constructed from compression-resistant 8/7/6 mm neoprene and the exclusive “ThermaSkin” inner liner. It comes with two useful pockets if you want to bring extra accessories.

Besides its solid appearance, it is very comfortable to wear.

BEST DIVING SUITS. MID RANGE

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NEOSPORT PREMIUM

The Neosport Premium is made of high quality neoprene for flexibility and resistance.

It’s suitable for both warm (for those sensitive to the cold) and cold water. This proven jumpsuit design has an adjustable collar that inhibits water exchange at the neck.

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HENDERSON THERMOPRENE

The Henderson Thermoprene has 75% more strech than standard neoprene, which makes it really comfortable to wear.

It’s one of the easiest wetsuits to put on and take off thanks to its front zip, and it comes in a great range of sizes. It’s one of the best diving suits for tropical waters.

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BEST BUDGET WETSUITS FOR DIVING

PINNACLE VENTURE

The Pinnacle Venture is a highly flexible and lightweight scuba wetsuit that’s perfect for diving in warm water. It’s made from titanium-lined neoprene throughout the suit, providing maximum flexibility.

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U.S. DIVERS SHORTY

The U.S. Divers Shorty is an ultralight diving suit ideal for diving in warm tropical water.

It’s very easy to put on and take off, and it comes with a neoskin design for better sealing on the arms and legs, guaranteeing maximum thermal retention.

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CRESSI LIDO

The Cressi Lido features a front zip which allows you to take the divesuit on and off in just a few seconds.

It’ s made of elastic ultraspan neoprene with special sealing on the arms and legs to keep you warm. This is a great ultralight diving suit for travelers on tropical vacations.

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A few things to consider when choosing the best scuba diving wetsuit:

TYPES OF WETSUITS

SHORTY OR FULL WETSUIT?

A full wetsuit covers your entire body, including arms and legs up to wrists and ankles, keeping you much warmer.

Full wetsuits are usually made in 4mm, 5mm and 7mm thicknesses. These suits are used for diving in very cold waters. For example, the 7mm thickness is recommended for diving in waters below 15° C. Some models are equipped with a hood for extra protection.

Shorty dive wetsuits have short sleeves and cover your legs up to your knees. They are popular for diving in warm tropical water. However, some people are more sensitive to cold water and therefore might need a different thickness or type of wetsuit. I’ve seen many divers using full wetsuits in tropical waters because they don’t like to feel any cold after a long dive. It’s a personal choice. They are also very easy to put on and take off.

LONG JOHN WETSUITS

Long John wetsuits work well for any water sport in which you need free movement in the upper body. Although they provide full leg protection, they don’t cover the shoulders, thereby providing a full range of motion. You can use this type of wetsuit for scuba diving. However, it isn’t the most recommended option. Long john wetsuits are popular for swimming, kayaking, surfing and other water sports.

DRY SUITS

As the name suggests, dry suits manage to maintain total isolation. This way, the water has no direct contact with the body. These suits are recommended for diving in waters below 10° C or for very deep dives.

This type of suit contains valves that introduce or eliminate air between the wetsuit and your body, keeping you dry and warm. On the other hand, these suits are quite expensive and require experience to use safely, as they make controlling buoyancy difficult. If you need a dry suit, I recommend that you take a specialized course to learn how to wear it properly.

MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION

Scuba wetsuits are made of foamed neoprene, a stretchy, synthetic rubber material which has thousands of tiny bubbles providing thermal insolation, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.

Of course, there are different types of neoprene, and that will affect the quality and price of your scuba diving wetsuit. The main types are:

LYCRA WETSUITS

Lycra wetsuits are a good option for warm tropical waters in which you need minimal protection against the cold. They are popular for snorkeling because you’ll be swimming. Thus, you’ll keep your body warm. They also protect you against jellyfish, the sun and coral.

I’m not a big fan of Lycra wetsuits for scuba diving, even in tropical waters, as you can feel some cold after 30 or 40 minutes underwater. Remember that you barely move your upper body when diving, and you can get cold easily.

CLOSED-CELL NEOPRENE WETSUITS

Closed-cell neoprene wetsuits are a common option among divers. Because of the structure of the cells, they don’t offer as much isolation as open-cell suits do. They are usually affordable, but also tend to be more rigid and not as comfortable as open-cell wetsuits.

OPEN-CELL NEOPRENE WETSUITS

This type of wetsuit offers the best performance. It is comfortable to wear and take off, and offers great isolation while providing a better range of movement.

On the downside, it tends to be more expensive and more prone to damage if you don’t take proper care of it.

THICKNESS

The neoprene of divesuits comes in different thicknesses from 2mm to 7mm. If you are usually diving in warm tropical waters, 3mm is a good thicknes. If you are a cold water diver, think about getting a 5mm or 7mm dive wetsuit.

Have a look at the next recommendations:

– 2mm: Tropical waters above 85 F (29 C)
– 3mm: Water between 70-85 F (21-29 C)
– 5mm: Water between 60-70 F (15-21 C)
– 7mm: Water between 50-60 F (10-15 C)

This is just a recomendation and depends on the person. Personally, I hate feeling cold when I’m diving, so I take that into consideration. I use a 3mm dive wetsuit in tropical waters above 85 F.

STICHING CONSTRUCTION:

OVERLOCK STITCH

The overlock stitch system is the most basic option. It’s stitched on the inside and doesn’t provide the best protection. This type of stitch is used in some suits designed for tropical water, as water might get into the wetsuit through the seams.

FLATLOCK STITCH

This system usually overlaps two pieces of material and sews them together, creating several rows of stitching and creating a strong, durable seam. The flatlock stitch is usually cheaper to create than a blind stitch while providing great stretch to the wetsuit. It feels comfortable against the skin and provides pretty good isolation. However, keep in mind that it allows some water to seep into the wetsuit.

The system is used primarily on 3mm thick (or less) suits for warm tropical water.

BLIND STITCH

Blind-stitched seams are found in suits designed for cold water – usually 4mm suits and thicker. The main difference is that they don’t allow water to seep into the seams. Several coats of glue protect the seam, making it waterproof. Moreover, the sewing is done in a manner that holds the seams together. Therefore, these seams are the strongest option and offer the best isolation against the cold, with the exception of dry suits.

FRONT ZIPPER OR BACK ZIPPER?

Front zippers are common on short wetsuits. They are easy to use, as you can reach them yourself. Therefore, you won’t need anyone’s help to put on or take off your suit. On the downside, because the zippers are located on the front, they experience more movement and stretching. This means they tend to be less durable than back zippers.

Back zippers tend to last longer. Also, many divers feel as though these zippers provide a better and more comfortable fit.

SIZE

It’s very important to choose the right size for your dive wetsuit so that you will stay comfortable and warm. It must not be too big because some water could leak in (losing isolation), and it must not be so small that you have trouble breathing.

Most manufacturers have different size charts, so keep this in mind and before ordering.

If it’s the first time you are wearing one, you might feel that it’s too tight and think that you got the wrong size, but keep in mind that it is normal to feel that it is quite snug on you.

A snug-fitting suit will take in less water. The more water the suit lets in, the longer it will take to warm up the water, and the more heat your body will lose. Most of the water will seep in through the neck, wrists and ankles. Therefore, be sure to get the right fit on those parts of the suit.

Keep in mind that what may seem really tight when dry can became much more comfortable once you get underwater.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR WETSUIT

All scuba diving gear needs proper care. These tips will extend the life of your suit:

1- Once you’re out of the water, soak your suit with cool, fresh water. There are special soaps for this purpose; they prevent the neoprene from taking on an undesirable smell. Soak the suit for about 20 or 30 minutes, then turn it inside out and soak it for another 20 minutes.

2- Use a toothbrush to rub certain parts, like the zippers and Velcro patches. Move the zipper up and down to get rid of any sand or dirt.

3- Examine the suit after every dive. Pay special attention to the seams and zippers and ensure that everything works properly.

4- Hang the suit in a dry place out of the sun. Turn it inside out from time to time to ensure that both sides are perfectly dry. This is important for extending the life of the neoprene.

5- Store the suit on a hanger in a dry place and avoid direct contact with the sun.

IS MY WETSUIT GETTING SMALLER?

All wetsuits lose elasticity over the years and can shrink a bit as the neoprene cells collapse. This doesn’t mean you should buy a bigger size so that the suit will last longer. You should buy a high-quality wetsuit; it will be more elastic and will last longer.

WETSUITS FOR LADIES

Most of the models I´ve reviewed here are also available for ladies.

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