The Best Wetsuits for Diving

Jörg Matzdorff

December 15, 2022

As with any product nowadays, choosing the right one can get a little challenging, especially, if you don’t know much about it in the first place. This is certainly true when it comes to selecting the right wetsuit for your next underwater expedition.

Wetsuits might not come in many colors – since most of them are black (find out why later in the article) – but they definitely come in many styles and functions. This can be overwhelming for people just starting out with diving.

Therefore, I want to show you everything you need to know about wetsuits, so you don’t get lost the next time you enter a wetsuits outlet or scroll through Amazon to find the perfect fit.

In this article, you will get answers to the following questions:

What are the best wetsuits for diving in cold water?
How do I choose the right wetsuit for scuba diving/caribbean diving?
Which wetsuits are best for men and women?
What do I need to watch out for when it comes to the perfect fit?

Contents hide

1 Best wetsuits for diving in 2023

2 Best wetsuits for diving in cold water

3 Best women’s wetsuits for scuba diving

4 Best wetsuit for caribbean diving

5 Conclusion: Choose the Best Wetsuit depending on the Water Temperature and Body Fit

6 FAQ – Most asked questions to best wetsuits for diving

Best wetsuits for diving in 2023

You probably know that there is more to diving than the mere jump into the sea. If you want to get a full diving experience, you are best off with proper gear such as a scuba mask, diving computer, fins and of course: a wetsuit.

Picking the right wetsuit may be a bit frustrating at first, since they more or less all look the same. However, there are some vital differences you need to know depending on the waters you dive in.

Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of different wetsuits for different occasions for the best diving experience in 2023.

Best wetsuits for diving in cold water

O’Neill Men’s Dive Sector 7 mm Back Zip

If you want to explore the iciest waters that are out there, then the O’Neill Men’s Dive Sector 7 mm Back Zip is definitely a safe choice. The wetsuit is 7 mm thick and therefore great in maintaining thermal support. With this wetsuit, you can dive in icy waters under 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 °C).

The O’Neill wetsuit is great for scuba diving in icy waters as it provides additional warmth through its interior firewall chest and back panels which remove moisture and help retain your body temperature.

This O’Neill wetsuit has additional glued and blind-stitched seams that further prevent water seepage and thus help maintain a great body temperature. The back zip on this wetsuit is an ideal support for beginners.

Pros

Great for diving in icy waters
Back zip for easy entry
Provides divers with excellent watertight
Comes with durable construction

Cons

Only designed for men
High price

Mares Flexa Full Wetsuit

Mares Flexa full wetsuit is another great choice when you want to get a dive in icy waters. To date, it is the warmest scuba diving wetsuit on the market. It has infused graphene fibers in the inner layers that help trap and reflect the heat and combines different neoprene thicknesses for various body parts.

The material of the Mares Flexa is soft, smooth and very durable. The sealed seams keep a streamline cut for a comfortable fit. The wetsuit comes with a back zip which facilitates entry, especially for beginners just starting out.

Pros

Warmest wetsuit on the market
Soft and durable material
Additional layer of neoprene stitched on the back
Back zip for easy entry
Different sizes available

Cons

No head cover
Zipper can get jammed over time

NeoSport Premium

The Neosport Premium wetsuit is great for scuba diving in cold waters. It comes with flexible knee pads that help prevent injury and has an affordable neck collar as well as a full-length back zipper.

Due to its additional protection, the Neosport Premium wetsuit is also a preferred option for triathlons, kayaking, canoeing, or other sports in cold water. The wetsuit is available for both men and women.

Pros

Extra protection to help prevent injury
Internal key pocket and flat lock stitching
Durable and soft material
Available for men and women

Cons

Lack of neoprene in the armpits
Best fit when buying one size up

ScubaPro Everflex 7 mm

The ScubaPro Everflex Steamer 7 mm is a thick wetsuit and great for icy waters. This wetsuit stands out by being rather affordable in the category of 7 mm wetsuits.

The quality of the ScubaPro Everflex Steamer is great and long-lasting. Beginners will find it easy to put it on and off. It also comes in styles for both men and women.

Pros

Great for icy waters
Great quality and durable material
Easy to put on and off
Comes in styles for men and women

Cons

Rather long arm sleeves
No head cover
Women’s edition looks better than men’s edition

Best women’s wetsuits for scuba diving

Henderson Women’s Thermoprene Pro

The Henderson Women’s Thermoprene Pro wetsuit is new on the market and combines both warmth and comfort. The neoprene in this pro edition is extraordinary. It is very soft and stretches up to 250 % as compared to 180 % in the basic model, which makes it a great fit for any body shape.

The Henderson Women’s Thermoprene Pro contains only very few seams, which reduces areas where cold water can enter. Additionally, the seams are double glued and sewn, massively increasing the lifetime of the wetsuit.

This wetsuit comes in various stylish graphics that definitely add to a great overall appearance.

Pros

Soft and stretchable neoprene to fit any body shape
Few seams to reduce water entrance
Maintains heat longer than basic model
Knee pads
Various colors and graphics

Cons

Not ideal for icy waters
Only for women

Best wetsuit for caribbean diving

Cressi Tortuga 2.5 mm

If you are looking for a wetsuit to use during a warm water dive, then the Cressi Tortuga 2.5 mm is a great choice.

The Cressi Tortuga is a shorty – a short-sleeved wetsuit – thus designed for tropical waters only. Still, it is recommended wearing a long-sleeved rash guard underneath, so you stay warm longer.

The quality of this wetsuit is great, making it a durable piece for the years to come.

Pros

Comparably low price
High quality
Available for both men and women

Cons

Not ideal for bigger people
Best fit for people with a shorter torso
Rather stiff fabric

Cressi Shorty Men’s

The Cressi Shorty is another top wetsuit made for warmer waters. Due to its short sleeves, you will have greater range of motion when diving compared to full-length wetsuits. This wetsuit can be used for a variety of activities such as scuba diving, caribbean diving, or snorkeling.

The neoprene on this wetsuit is double-lined and high-stretch, which helps you maintain a comfy body temperature in the water. The Cressi Shorty’s has a front zip and a pull tab, which will help you put the wetsuit on and off.

Pros

Shorty wetsuit for greater range of motion
Easy to put on and off
High-quality material
Very light weight

Cons

Not suitable for cold waters
No complete protection from UV rays
No extra protection against abrasions and scratches
Only available for men

Conclusion: Choose the Best Wetsuit depending on the Water Temperature and Body Fit

No matter if you plan on going scuba diving or caribean diving, a wetsuit is a must for anyone wanting to get the most out of his or her diving experience. Especially for divers who prefer colder waters, a wetsuit is indispensable. But also, warm water divers can enjoy their expeditions even more when maintaining a comfy body heat underwater.

When choosing a wetsuit, it is not only important to look at the price. Think about whether you want to go for a full-length variation that is ideal for colder waters, or a shorty, which allows you to move better in warmer waters.

When diving in colder waters, it is definitely recommended to grab a wetsuit with a head-cover/hoodie, as you lose most of your body’s temperature through your head. Additionally, plan on going for a thicker wetsuit, for example a 7 mm, to give you extra insulation when exploring those icy waters.

If you are a beginner, you will probably want to go for a wetsuit that comes with a zip to help you get into and out of the wetsuit easily.

But most importantly, when buying a wetsuit: try it on and see if it fits snugly. You really want as much comfort as possible when exploring the sea. A good wetsuit is one you don’t even notice. So, make sure to spend that extra time and money when making a purchase. You won’t regret it!

FAQ – Most asked questions to best wetsuits for diving

1. Why do Scuba Divers wear Black Wetsuits?

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, wetsuits come in different styles and functions, but not that many colors. Almost every wetsuit you will ever see is black. And this is for a good reason.
Black is the best color for absorbing energy. And since the main purpose of a wetsuit is to keep the diver warm underwater, black is the color to go with. They also dry much faster than other colored wetsuits. Additionally, black is well-known for being UV-resistant and shows fewer abrasions when used regularly, just adding a few other benefits to it.

2. How Long Should a Scuba Wetsuit Last?

The lifetime of a scuba wetsuit depends – like with any product – on various factors. The biggest factor is the usage frequency. If you use your wetsuit multiple times a year, it will wear out quicker than when you only use it now and then.

But next to usage frequency, the quality of the wetsuit plays a big role too. Some brands make a great effort producing high-quality wetsuits that last a long time. These often come at a higher price point but are definitely worth the extra buck. So, if you want to invest into some proper gear, you might as well make it a good investment.

Depending on various factors, a good scuba wetsuit can last you anywhere between 4 and 10 years. The most premium models may last even longer when maintained properly.

3. How Tight Should My Scuba Wetsuit Be?

When trying on different wetsuits, make sure to go for one that you feel fully comfortable in. If the wetsuit is too tight, you lose motion underwater. If it is too lose, the heat inside the wetsuit will not maintain, and you will get colder quicker.

Also, make sure that the sleeves go all the way up to your wrist (when opting for a full-length wetsuit) and the legs close off just above the ankle bone.

4. Should I choose a Front Zipper or Back Zipper as a Beginner?

For beginners, it is definitely recommended to go for a wetsuit that comes with a zipper. This helps enormously when getting into the wetsuit and out of. But which type of zipper should you go for, a front or a back zipper?

Both types have their benefits to them. While front zippers are easier when getting into the wetsuit, it is harder to get out of them again. With back zippers, it is the other way round: harder to get into and easier to get out of. Hence, it really depends on at what point you want to ask a friendly fellow to lend you a hand.

Usually, back zips are longer than front zips that only go up to the chest. And since the zip itself is not flexible, back zip wetsuits are slightly less flexible than front zip wetsuits. I personally prefer back zippers because to me, they make a nicer appearance since the zip is not that prominent.

Overall, it does not make a huge difference which variation you go for. Just make sure to feel comfortable in your wetsuit. That is what’s most important when you are scuba diving, caribean diving or just having a relaxing swim in the deep blue sea.