The Best Scuba Diving Wetsuit: How to Choose

Unless you’re diving in water warmer than 98.6ºF, your body starts losing heat as soon as you hit the water. The primary job of a wetsuit is to reduce or delay your body’s heat loss to keep you comfortable and warm during your dive. A good wetsuit fulfills not only those responsibilities, but also protects you from scrapes or stings, while also offering a fluid range of motion during your dive. Investing in a high-quality wetsuit that checks all the boxes makes a world of difference because no one wants to be shivering or otherwise miserable during their bottom time. To find the perfect wetsuit, there are two key factors to consider: fit and comfort.

FIT & COMFORT:

For a wetsuit to do its job, it needs to fit like a second skin. Wetsuits are designed to trap a thin layer of water between your body and the suit, allowing your body heat to warm the water and keep you toasty. When a wetsuit is too big, it allows excessive water entry and significantly reduces the suit’s thermal capabilities. A wetsuit that’s too tight can restrict your breathing and range of motion, and the added strain on neoprene stretched past its limits can shorten the suit’s lifespan.

A well-fitted wetsuit will fit snugly and provide you with enough range of motion to touch your toes, stretch your arms, and turn your body. Thicker wetsuits will reduce this range of motion slightly, so take this into account before going up a size in 5mm and 7mm suits. Seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles should be snug, but not too tight, and the suit should conform to your body everywhere. The wetsuit’s arms and legs should reach your wrists and ankles, and the seals should lie flat against your skin.

How To Know if Your Wetsuit Fits Properly

• Your wetsuit should fit tightly from top to bottom, conforming to your body without gaps or pockets. (Think of it like compression shorts – snug with a bit of pressure is a sign of a good fit). Check out our fit finder tool on our dive wear items to find the right size for you. 

• The seals at your neck, wrists, and ankles are snug and comfortable. If any of these feel too tight or painful, you may need a different size or a different suit.

• The suit’s arms and legs should meet your wrists and ankles (unless you’re wearing a shorty, of course!).

• The crotch should be close to your own.

• It takes a few minutes to put on. Wetsuits should not easily slide on and off; if yours does, you need to go down a size.

Ideally, we recommend visiting your local dive shop so that you can try on different wetsuits to find your Cinderella fit. If that’s not an option or if you prefer to shop online, check out our innovative virtual FitFinder to help you find your perfect fit without ever leaving the house.

THERMAL FACTORS:

Wetsuits are available in a variety of thicknesses to accommodate a range of water temperatures, and it’s important to know that every diver will have a different tolerance to water temperature. The general rule of thumb when it comes to selecting a thickness is as follows:

Thermal Protection Factor:

• Up to 2.5mm - 75°F and warmer

• 3-4.5mm - 70°F to 80°F

• 5-6.5mm - 60°F to 70°F • 7mm and up - 45°F to 60°F

Please note that this is just a general guide, and many factors affect a diver’s level of warmth beyond the thickness of the wetsuit and the water temperature. These include length of exposure, depth, repeated dives, suit fit, body type, body-fat percentage, use of hoods/gloves/booties, and many more. If you’re prone to cold, we recommend adding thermal layers or going up in thickness to ensure you’re comfortable and warm.

Keep in mind that, regardless of thickness, all wetsuits are not created equal. Choosing a high-quality wetsuit made with premium materials with minimal seams is the best way to stay warm without restricting your range of motion.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Before investing in this essential piece of dive gear, we recommend taking the following factors into consideration.

Is it a scuba diving wetsuit? Although scuba diving wetsuits and surfing wetsuits may appear to be very similar, only dive-specific wetsuits are designed to counteract the effects of pressure and keep you warm at depth.

Is it certified? One way to ensure that your wetsuit is built to last is to check for CE and PPE certifications. These designations indicate that a wetsuit has undergone rigorous testing for safety, performance, and durability, and both certifications are required in Europe.

Is it environmentally friendly? With all of the challenges facing the oceans and waterways, it is more important now than ever to prioritize eco-friendly materials and sustainable production when shopping for any dive equipment.

TIPS FOR PUTTING ON YOUR WETSUIT:

If you’ve found a wetsuit that fits you properly, it’s going to fit tightly, and anyone who’s ever put on a new wetsuit knows that it can be a struggle to get into it. Luckily, there are a few ways to make the process go smoothly:

• Choose the right suit – We can’t stress the importance of materials enough, which is especially true when you’re fighting to get your wetsuit on. You’ll thank yourself for choosing a wetsuit made from super-stretchy materials and includes an extra lining, especially on the debut dive.

• Add a layer – One of the best ways to reduce the friction (and subsequent sticking and bunching) between your skin and the wetsuit is to add a thin layer underneath. We recommend adding a nylon full suit or a rashguard and legging combination to reduce friction and add warmth during your dive.

• Add some socks – Following the same logic as layering, putting on a dive sock before donning your wetsuit will help keep your feet from getting trapped in the ankle seals.

• Get wet – Putting on a wetsuit becomes exponentially harder the second you start sweating, which tends to lead to more sweating. Instead of putting your suit on dry, we recommend rinsing yourself and your wetsuit before donning it to reduce sticking.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you plan to dive in more than one condition, one wetsuit may not be enough. For cold-water divers, we recommend considering a semi-dry wetsuit or drysuit to ensure your comfort. Not sure what the difference is? Check out our Wetsuit vs. Drysuit Blog for more information!