Top 10 Tips to find the best scuba diving wetsuit for you.
Topics discussed in this video.
00:00 Introduction
00:51 Thermal Rating
02:23 Neoprene Thickness
04:53 Neoprene Alternatives
06:27 Internal Lining
08:18 Proper Fit
10:40 Wetsuit Pockets
11:55 Neoprene Stretch
13:02 Tall & Broad
15:03 Semi-Dry
16:47 Special Features
I’ve been scuba diving my entire professional career in both beautiful crystal clear waters of the Tropics to the not-so clear waters around the world. Diving up in the Arctic Circle and marine conservation work down in remote Madagascar. As a full-time scuba Instructor I taught divers in both warm and cold waters and lead countless dives.
But, my main specialty is dive equipment. Since 2010 I’ve been working with a wide range of scuba diving brands and 8 years working for one of the largest scuba diving retailers with hands-on experience with cutting edge dive equipment.
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Wow, I must feel colder than most then! There is no way I could use a 5 mm wetsuit in 15 ºC waters… 2 x 40 min dives on 21 ºC and I’m freeezing. So now I’m about to migrate into drysuits!
Totally feel you, @xineis! 😄 Can’t imagine 5mm in 15ºC either! 🥶 I’m all about 3mm or shorty above 25ºC, 5mm for 20-25ºC, and semi-dry below 19ºC. Excited to switch to drysuit soon – except when teaching! 🌊👌
Can you please make a more elaborate video about the alternative materials? And also if they are worth checking out for people who don’t have neoprene allergies
I dive in quebec canada , so 14mm two piece wet suit and 3 fingers mits day in day out
Absurd. That’s a dry suit for me.
@Alias Incognito what is absurd in my opinion is the cost of the whole drysuit system (undergarment glove system and the suit itself) wich cost several thousands of dollars and requires maintenance and repairs that are also another expense (cuff seals, neck dam , boots etc) i dont have the buget for running a drysuit so i have a tick wet suit , ive been using it for a decade and im perfectly fine with it
@Captain will You could buy a neoprene drysuit. There is less need for thick/expensive undergarments and repairs should be similar to neoprene wetsuits (that will eventually need repairs anyway).
@xineis repairs to the inflation valve are not cheap, plus it’s another failure point
What a great video. Thank you so much for your tips. Is there a similar video on your channel about drysuits?
Not yet, I’m working my way through the range of scuba gear. I did make a Top10 Drysuit video not that long ago: https://youtu.be/O2yRWJHzg-A
@Scuba Diver Magazine thank you very much. I will check that out!🙏🏾
Great tips mark! I keep a dry suit, a semi-dry, and a hodge podge of 3 mm shorty/ 5 mm surface rescue/ 1 mm pants and rash guards to cover the rest in layers.
Just did 2 dives today in 16 C water assisting with an OW student….wearing my 8/7 semi dry because I’m a baby.😂
After training in the UK in a 6.5mm semi-dry, most of my diving has been in warm waters. In the Caribbean in the winter (79-82F) I ended up with a nice quality 5/3mm O’Neill diving full suit, and still felt a chill after 2 boat dives. I ended up wearing a 1.5 jacket underneath. This was mainly taking photos, so not a vast amount of swimming around especially on the 2nd dive. A single shore dive was fine in a 1.5mm jacket and board shorts. In the summer, no neoprene needed.
Thank you again for a very good video.
I have a good quality surf wetsuit, can I use it for scuba diving?
Great stuff! Personally I actually use a 5mm semidry here in the Sydney region of Australia and a standard 3mm in warmer waters
Great video! I Dive in the NE from May to October and the Caribbean. Btwn my 5MM & 3MM wetsuits, 4MM Sharkskin Jacket & 2MM Lavacore full suit, and two skins, (+5/3MM hood), they cover all my temperature needs from 45°F +, but I can’t dive colder than 55°F as my exposed skin can’t handle the frigid temps. Then again I was raised in the NE ocean as a kid and went in with just my bathing suit every Memorial Day until I turned 40..