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Scuba diving has become an increasingly popular leisure activity across people of all age groups. Whether you are doing it for fun or as part of your job, you might have noticed the tranquility that comes with being under the surface of the ocean.
However, it’s challenging to achieve this if you do not have the right scuba suit. Irrespective of your style of diving or even the conditions of the water, the lack of an optimal scuba diving gear can lead to a bad experience.
Comparison of the Best Best Scuba Suit
Product FAQ
Image by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi via Pexels
Picking the right scuba diving suit can be challenging, whether you are a newbie or veteran diver. Here are a few of the frequently asked questions about scuba suits to guide you on what to look for in the best suit.
1. What Is a Scuba Suit?
A scuba suit is an outfit that protects divers from underwater environment’s harsh conditions.
2. What Does a Scuba Suit Do?
Seawater cools the body much faster than anything else. Diving suits help to insulate the body by preventing heat loss. You can choose from varying thickness levels depending on the water temperatures.
3. How Does a Scuba Suit Work?
Scuba suits have several layers used for trapping and reflecting heat. Some suits have a copper or titanium lining to maintain your body temperature. While all these suits differ, they all keep you warm while diving.
4. Where Can You Buy Them?
You can buy your scuba suit from any store selling sportswear. You can also buy your scuba suit from online stores such as Amazon; you will find a wide range of options to meet your needs.
5. How Do I Choose a Scuba Suit?
Scuba suits differ in terms of construction, thickness, lining material, style, and even the thickness. Some common styles include full-body suits, shorties, and 2-piece suits. It is advisable to choose a suit with a thickness that will give you the warmth you need. In terms of construction, the common options include stitched, glued and taped, or welded seams.
How We Reviewed
Image by Tirachard Kumtanom via Pexels
We invested a lot of time and effort running through many scuba suits available in the market. Our focus was on different parameters like the key features, comfort, thickness, and function. We also looked at the pros and cons of each product, availability, and pricing. This article summarizes our shortlist of 2018’s best suits.
Overall Price Range of This Product (and Similar Products)
Prices vary substantially depending on the features. Some suits with basic features go for as low as $60 while others fetch as high as $400. Most of the highly priced products come with additional features such as the ability to keep the water away from the diver’s body completely, or a construction that is thick enough to allow for cold water diving.
What We Reviewed
- Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit
- Bare 3mm Reactive Men’s Fullsuit
- SEAC Men’s Komoda Yamamoto Wetsuit
- ScubaPro Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit
- Fourth Element Proteus Men’s 3mm Wetsuit
- O’Neill Men’s Reactor 3/2mm
- Henderson Men’s Thermoprene
- Hyperflex Women’s Cyclone2 4/3mm
- NeoSport Men’s Shorty 3MM Wetsuit
- U.S. Divers Mercury Full Adult Wetsuit
Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit
[amazon box=”B009LPQY46″]
Features
The Hollis Neotek is one of the best crossovers between a wetsuit and a drysuit. It comes with a watertight seal around the neck, ankles, and seals. It is 8mm thick around the torso area and 7mm on the limbs. It comes with a removable hood and you will enjoy extra warmth from the proprietary Thermaskin lining.
The seams are impervious; they feature a quadruple glued and double taped joinery for advanced protection.
PROS
- Keeps the water out completely
- Extreme thickness for cold water diving
- Much lighter than a dry suit
- Easy donning and doffing
CONS
- Offers little thermal protection compared to the dry suit
- The zipper needs regular greasing
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
The semi-dry scuba suit is lightweight and skin-tight. The front zipper makes the donning and doffing much easier.
Thickness
8mm-thick torso, 7mm-thick limbs, and 6mm-thick hood
Best Suited For
Both cold and warm water diving
Bare 3mm Reactive Men’s Fullsuit
[amazon box=”B00WH82UWO”]
Features
The Bare Reactive wetsuit comes in a fully stretchable Nylon-2 Neoprene fabric. The suit features a Celliant Infrared lining to increase the warmth. The seamless underarms provide extra comfort and flexibility. It has a back-entry zipper coated in polyurethane to prevent water entry. It comes in 3 thickness options: 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm. It is available in 18 different sizes and multiple colors.
PROS
- Back entry zipper makes it easy to don and doff
- Stretchy and comfortable for easy mobility
- Keeps the warmth regulated according to body temperature
CONS
- Poor thermal protection
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Skin-hugging design and seamless underarms make it easy to move around
Thickness
3mm, 5mm, and 7mm thickness options
Best Suited For
Warm water (above 70 degrees) diving
SEAC Men’s Komoda Yamamoto Wetsuit
[amazon box=”B071L8HST3″]
Features
The SEAC Komoda wetsuit is not only a great-looking suit, but it is also well constructed. It has skin seals around the neck, cuffs, and ankles to keep the water from flowing in and out. The patterns on the chest and arm panels also help to increase the grip.
The collar features a velcro closure to help you adjust the tightness. It has a long zipper with leash for easy donning and doffing.
PROS
- A good stretch for added mobility
- Lightweight and comfortable
CONS
- Does not offer the best thermal protection in cold waters
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Snug and stretchy fit makes it comfortable
Thickness
5mm and 7mm options
Best Suited For
Warm water to cool water diving
ScubaPro Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit
[amazon box=”B01964UEQ0″]
Features
The ScubaProEverflex Steamer is one of the best suits for diving in temperate waters. It features a glide skin lining around the neck, cuffs, and ankles to trap water from flowing in or out. The neoprene fabric is stretchy and comfortable. It has anti-abrasion padding around the knees and elbows to keep the parts durable.
It is extra stretchy around the underarms and behind the knees for added mobility. It has an extra neoprene layer around the back to support the spine. It comes in multiple size options.
PROS
- Neoprene made from an eco-friendly production process
- Easy donning and doffing
- Better spine support with extra back lining
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in cold water
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Extra stretchy and skin-hugging for added comfort
Thickness
3/2. 3mm torso area and 2mm limbs
Best Suited For
Diving in temperate waters
Fourth Element Proteus Men’s 3mm Wetsuit
[amazon box=”B00Z8ZR9K6″]
Features
The Fourth Element Proteus features 3mm of neoprene running through the full scuba suit. It uses Hexacore lining, which helps to trap the water that keeps you warm. It also has a Thermoflex lining for added thermal protection.
The neck features internal and external glide skin seals to prevent water flow. The abrasion-resistant material around the shoulders, knees, and elbows helps to cut down wear and tear. It comes with a back zipper and double velcro seal around the neck.
PROS
- Better thermal insulation than most 3mm suits
CONS
- 3mm cannot keep you warm in cold water
- Has a short zipper
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Stretchy, snug fit and comfortable
Thickness
3mm
Best Suited For
Diving in temperate waters
O’Neill Men’s Reactor 3/2mm
[amazon box=”B004I44QK4″]
Features
The O’Neill Reactor II is a beautifully crafted men’s suit made from stretchable neoprene. It is 3mm thick around the torso and 2mm around the limbs. It has a long, back zipper to allow for easy donning and doffing. The flatlock seams allow water to seep through and warm the body.
The knee pads feature abrasion resistant material to reduce wear and tear.
PROS
- Extra stretchy shoulders and sleeves for better mobility
- Affordable
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in cold water
- Breathable seams are not the best
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
It is stretchy and comfortable
Thickness
3/2. 3mm torso, 2mm limbs
Best Suited For
Diving in warm waters
Henderson Men’s Thermoprene
[amazon box=”B0030GYF34″]
Features
The Henderson Thermoprene is a 3mm full-body suit. It features a neoprene fabric, which offers a 250% stretch. The interior panels use a silk lining for added insulation. The seams have been double glued for durability. It is available in 2 color options and multiple sizes.
PROS
- Strong and durable construction
- Easy donning because of the back zipper
- Flexible knee pads for protection and mobility
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in cold waters
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Skin-tight fit and stretchy for better comfort
Thickness
3mm
Best Suited For
Diving in warm water
Hyperflex Women’s Cyclone2 4/3mm
[amazon box=”B00B07JCU6″]
Features
The Cyclone 2 follows in the Hyperflex tradition of building super stretchy scuba suits. It features neoprene panels joined using flatlock stitches for added comfort. The suit is 4mm-thick around the core and 3mm on the limbs. A back zipper provides entry into the wetsuit. The stretchy fabric and seamless panels on the underarms offer greater mobility.
PROS
- Strong and durable seams
- Adjustable collar
- Easy donning and doffing
- Amazing stretch and comfort
- Great quality at bargain prices
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in chilly waters
- Comes with a back zipper that makes it challenging to don and doff
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
This suit is super stretchy and comfortable
Thickness
4mm around the torso and 3mm limbs
Best Suited For
Diving in tropical to normal warmth waters
NeoSport Men’s Shorty 3MM Wetsuit
[amazon box=”B001TI93FA”]
Features
The NeoSport Shorty offers everything you might be looking for in a warm water scuba suit. It features a neoprene fabric with flatlock seams for water resistance. It comes with an internal pocket for your most useful essentials. It is a multi-use suit that can be used for other water sports like surfing and kayaking.
PROS
- Great anatomical fit
- Can be used in different water sports
- Available at an economical price
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in cold water
- Leaves your arms and legs exposed to the elements
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Skin-tight fit and perfectly comfortable
Thickness
3mm
Best Suited For
Warm water diving, surfing, kayaking, and paddle boarding
U.S. Divers Mercury Full Adult Wetsuit
[amazon box=”B00SLYF1Y2″]
Features
The U.S. Divers Mercury is a full body scuba suit made from neoprene fabric. It is 3mm thick around the torso and 2mm on the limbs. The construction uses flatlock stitching to keep the suit impervious and durable. It has a back entry zipper with a cord for donning and doffing.
You can also go for the short option for diving around tropical waters.
PROS
- Skin-tight fit and stretchable underarms for great mobility
- Pull cord for easy donning and doffing
- Budget pricing
CONS
- Poor thermal protection in cold waters
Where to Buy
This product can be found on Amazon.
Comfort
Fits snugly around the body
Thickness
3/2. 3mm torso and 2mm limbs
Best Suited For
Watersports and warm water diving
The Verdict
Image by Richard Segal via Pexels
Finding a quality scuba suit that will take you through the years is the dream of every diving enthusiast. You might end up losing a great deal of money if you do not take the time to research on the right products especially with the influx of diverse scuba suits on the market. The aim of this review was to help you find the best scuba suits of 2019. The Hollis Neotek topped our list of the 2019’s scuba suits.
It is great in helping you stay dry in cold waters. It has a feature that allows you to let water in when it gets exceedingly hot. In addition, it has a removable hood for additional protection and warmth.
