13 of the Best Scuba Wetsuit Choices of This Year

Whether you’re a professional surfer or diver, a beginner, or just someone who enjoys the occasional dive and surf on vacations, you no doubt know the importance of a wetsuit. This useful suit will protect you from water as well as keep you warm in cooler water temperatures. But there are so many available on the market today, making it difficult to sift through them and find the best scuba wetsuit for you to swim in.

Scuba Wetsuit FAQ

1. What Is a Scuba Wetsuit?

A scuba wetsuit is a garment made of a light material such as neoprene that only allows a small amount of water to touch the skin underneath. It keeps swimmers warm and comfortable by insulating water warmed by the body temperature. It also provides buoyancy and abrasion resistance for ease of movement and protection.

2. What Are the Types of Scuba Wetsuits?

There are three different types of wetsuits: shortie, full, and two-piece.

Shortie

Shortie wetsuits cover the torso, the arms to the mid-bicep, and the legs to the mid-thigh area. These provide protection from underwater hazards and sun damage, though they offer the least warmth to the wearer.

Full

Full wetsuits (also known as one-piece wetsuits) cover the torso, arms, legs, and neck. They are used by divers in cold water who want full-body protection. They typically have a taller neck or collar for additional sealing, and some even have a hood. They provide excellent warmth and protection from water and abrasion; however, they have a more restricted range of motion than other types.

Two-Piece

Two-piece wetsuits (also known as Farmer John/Jane wetsuits) have a jacket and long Johns design that can be worn separately for mild conditions or together for cold conditions. They are typically thicker and provide great water protection.

3. How Thick Should My Scuba Wetsuit Be?

The recommended thickness of wetsuits is actually determined by the temperature and depth of the water you will be swimming in. For warmer temperatures between 71°F and 88°F and shallow waters, your suit should have a thickness of 2.5mm or more.

For moderately cool temperatures between 60°F and 75 and deeper waters, your suit should have a thickness of 5mm or more. And for cold water between 50°F and 65°F and deep dives, your suit should have a thickness of 6mm or more.

4. How Should a Scuba Wetsuit Fit?

In order to trap body heat, your wetsuit needs to fit snugly; however, it should not pinch you or restrict blood flow to your extremities. It is normal to have a reduced range of motion and to feel a slight restriction of breath if the suit is fitting well, especially as your neoprene gets thicker.

It is common to have slight puckering at the bend of the knees and elbows; however, the suit also should not bulge anywhere else. If it does, then the suit is too large and will allow water to flow in. Never purchase a wetsuit without trying it on first, because that is the only way to know if it will fit you properly.

5. What Features Are Important?

When choosing a scuba wetsuit, you want to pay attention to the type of wetsuit and its thickness, fit, material and stitching quality, gender, price, and extra features like safety straps.

How We Reviewed

We performed extensive research on scuba wetsuits, types of wetsuits, and their uses in different water depths and temperatures. We also read many reviews from surfers, professional divers, water photographers, and casual swimmers so we could get a balanced view of what each different wetsuit has to offer.

After that, we compared various wetsuits based on their features, pros and cons, price, and where they can be bought. By comparing across these four categories, we were able to narrow down our list to the following 13 scuba wetsuits below.

Overall Price Range

Scuba wetsuits are one of the most expensive pieces to complete your scuba diving outfit, costing anywhere from around $25 to around $450. Some more expensive wetsuits may have better features such as higher-quality materials and stitching, better reinforcements, wider sizing ranges, extra features like safe-straps, and more. 

What We Reviewed

• Seavenger Odyssey 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit
• Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit
• Realon Kids Wetsuit Shorty Full 3mm Premium Neoprene Lycra Swimsuit
• Bare 3mm Reactive Men’s Fullsuit
• Cokar Neoprene Wetsuit for Kids Boys Girls One Piece Swimsuit
• SEAC Men’s Komoda Yamamoto Wetsuit
• Bare 5mm Velocity Full Suit Super-Stretch Wetsuit
• Scubapro Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit
• O’Neill Men’s Reactor 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit
• Waterproof Mens W3 3.5mm Backzip Wetsuit
• Bare 7mm Elastek Full Suit Men’s Wetsuit
• Cressi Shorty Men’s Wetsuit for Scuba Diving
• SEAC Men’s Sense Neoprene Wetsuit, Black/Blue

Seavenger Odyssey 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit

Features

The Seavenger Odyssey Wetsuit provides a great affordable option for a wetsuit. It is made of neoprene 3mm thick, which makes it perfect for water 64 degrees and higher. The flat-locked stitched seams prevent chafing, eliminate bulk, and strengthen the suit. The anti-abrasion panels on the knee and shoulder further strengthen the suit and add more durability. It also features a sharkskin chest panel, making it a great wetsuit for surfers.

The suit is made with stretchy, flexible panels at the armpits, crotch, sides, and knees for a contoured fit that moves with you. It features a sturdy #10 YKK back zipper backed with an inner neoprene gusset to reduce snagging, pinching, and flushing. You can easily reach the zipper thanks to the long zipper leash, and it has a double-tap tab with a hook and loop tie-down to keep it secure. The suit comes in 14 colors and sizes XS to 3XL.

Pros

• Affordable
• Sturdy, secure back zipper with a long leash
• Great color and size options
• Sporty design

Cons

• Women’s sizes are a little more inaccurate

Price $

Where to Buy

Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit

Features

This Hollis Men’s NEOTEK Semi-Drysuit is a great scuba wetsuit for professional male divers who will be swimming in waters as cold as 40 degrees. This full-body suit is made of compression-resistant neoprene that is a mix of 8mm, 7mm, and 6mm thick. It also features Lavaskin inner liner for further protection from the cold. The left and right thigh both have large pockets for storage.

The front neckdam with a GLcok horizontal front zipper makes it easy to take off and put on; this PK zipper gives you a tight barrier against water intruding into your suit. The internal dam within the suit also protects your arms and legs from water leaks. The blind-stitch seams are butt joined, double-glued, and covered by a liquid seam to provide excellent durability and water protection. The suit comes in sizes S-3XL.

Pros

• Large storage pockets
• Neckdam and internal dam protect from water leaks
• Horizontal front zipper
• High-quality, blind-stitch seams
• Good variety of sizes

Cons

• Expensive
• PK zipper could be of higher quality

Price $$$

Where to Buy

Realon Kids Wetsuit Shorty Full 3mm Premium Neoprene Lycra Swimsuit

Features

If your kids love swimming, then they’ll love the Realon Kids Wetsuit. The suit was specifically designed for slender children who may have a hard time staying warm in swimming pools, so it fits well even during rapid growth periods. This shortie-style scuba wetsuit is made of 3mm premium neoprene, making it perfect for swimming in warmer waters of swimming pools or open waters. The super-stretch fabric on both sides makes the suit even more waterproof.

It features a full 50+ UV shield for protection against UV rays, jelly stings, sea lice, and more. The YKK zipper is located on the back with an easy-pull leash. There is also a protective cover on the inside of the suit to keep the zipper from catching or pinching children’s’ skin. It is made for children from the ages of 2 years old to 16 years old and comes in sizes XS-3XL and sizes 4-16. It is also available in black and blue or black and red.

Pros

• Super-stretch, waterproof fabric
• 50+ UV protection
• Long YKK zipper with protective internal cover
• Great size range
• Fits true to size

Cons

• May have a chemical odor
• Color fades when used in chlorine

Price $

Where to Buy

Bare 3mm Reactive Men’s Fullsuit

Features

This scuba wetsuit by Bare is made of full-stretch nylon-2 neoprene for excellent comfort and flexibility. Bare’s patented Celliant Liner infrared technology features 13 thermo-reactive minerals which are woven into the fabric. These minerals convert body heat to infrared energy and reflect it back to the body, increasing body warmth and blood circulation. The seamless underarms make the Reactive even more comfortable.

The suit is easy to take off and put on thanks to the 21-inch S-Lock2 back zipper. This zipper has an offset tooth design, polyurethane-coated tape guards, and a double internal, skin-touching sealing zipper flap. It also has a full-length pull tab with silicone print, providing a comfortable, easy grip for self-fastening. The ankles of the suit have 11-inch heavy-duty zippers supported by fused cut seals, making donning and doffing even easier. These cut seals can also be found on the wrists of the suit.

Pros

• High-quality nylon-2 neoprene construction
• Celliant Liner infrared technology
• Seamless underarms
• Abrasion-resistant pads
• Great size range

Cons

• Expensive

Price $$$

Where to Buy

Cokar Neoprene Wetsuit for Kids Boys Girls One Piece Swimsuit

Features

Cokar provides another affordable scuba wetsuit for kids to keep them warm while swimming. This one-piece wetsuit has a slim-fit design for excellent support and shaping. It is made of stretchy neoprene which is lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable. The fabric is 2mm thick, making it perfect for warmer waters in the summer.

The suit fits both boys and girls. It also features an easy-pull back zipper for convenient dressing and removal. It comes in sizes XS/0 to XXL/14 with 11 different color options.

Pros

• Slim-fit design
• Easy-pull back zipper
• Dries quickly
• Lightweight
• Good size range and color options

Cons

• May have an unpleasant chemical odor for several cleanings

Price $

Where to Buy

SEAC Men’s Komoda Yamamoto Wetsuit

Features

The Seac Men’s Komoda Yamamoto is constructed with a neoprene material made from limestone with closed-cell foam, making it flexible, light, and warm. The honeycomb structures on the inside trap bubbles and reduces your density, warming you and allowing for freedom of movement. This material is 5mm thick, making it perfect for waters as cold as 60 degrees. It is a B-rated suit, which means that it is far warmer than other 5mm suits of its caliber.

It has a super-elastic outer lining made of ExtraFlex nylon and an inner lining made of dry fiber for added warmth. The wrists and ankles have a dual cone in smooth skin seals with YKK zippers. 

Pros

• Internal honeycomb structure
• YKK zippers
• Easy pull-tab leash on the back zipper
• Great size range
• Durable reinforcements and stitching

Cons

• Expensive
• Runs small

Price $$$

Where to Buy

Bare 5mm Velocity Full Suit Super-Stretch Wetsuit

Features

Bare provides yet another great scuba wetsuit with the slightly cheaper Velocity Full Wetsuit. The neoprene is 5mm thick, which makes it great for colder waters. The adjustable velcro collar keeps cold out, while the zippered ankles provide a tight seal and comfortable fit.

The reinforced knee pads add to the Velocity’s durability and provide a great grip. The back zipper is easy to use thanks to the pull cord, making donning and doffing convenient and quick. The suit is available in sizes S-2XL with three color options.

Pros

• 100% super-stretch material throughout the suit
• Adjustable velcro collar
• Zippered ankles
• Reinforced knee pads
• Back zipper with a pull cord

Cons

• Not as durable as more expensive suits

Price $$

Where to Buy

Scubapro Men’s Everflex Steamer 3/2mm Wetsuit

Features

The Scubapro Men’s Everflex Steamer Wetsuit is made from 100% Everflex nylon-2 neoprene with an X-Foam formulation for better durability and flexibility. The material is 3/2mm thick, making it perfect for shallow dives in warm waters. It is assembled using an innovative solvent-free, water-based glue that makes the suit both environmentally friendly and diver-friendly.

There is a strong metal slider with the back zipper to make it easy to put on and take off. There is a nylon webbing thumb loop at the base of the zipper and a pull tab for convenience. The entire zipper function is encased in a compression-molded spine pad/zipper flap, providing extra back protection and water leakage protection.