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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
There are three different types of wetsuits: shortie, full, and two-piece.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Two-piece wetsuits<\/a> (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.<\/p>\n 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\u00b0F and 88\u00b0F and shallow waters, your suit should have a thickness of 2.5mm or more.<\/p>\n For moderately cool temperatures between 60\u00b0F and 75 and deeper waters, your suit should have a thickness of 5mm or more. And for cold water between 50\u00b0F and 65\u00b0F and deep dives, your suit should have a thickness of 6mm or more.<\/p>\n In order to trap body heat, your wetsuit needs<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When choosing a scuba wetsuit<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> has to offer.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Scuba wetsuits are one of the most expensive pieces to complete<\/a> your scuba diving outfit, costing anywhere from around $25 to around $450. Some more expensive wetsuits<\/a> may have better features such as higher-quality materials and stitching, better reinforcements, wider sizing ranges, extra features like safe-straps, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n3. How Thick Should My Scuba Wetsuit Be?<\/h3>\n
4. How Should a Scuba Wetsuit Fit?<\/h3>\n
5. What Features Are Important?<\/h3>\n
How We Reviewed<\/h2>\n
Overall Price Range<\/span><\/h2>\n
What We Reviewed<\/h2>\n
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Seavenger Odyssey 3mm Neoprene Wetsuit<\/h2>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Price $<\/h3>\n
Where to Buy<\/h3>\n