How To Choose The Best Scuba Wetsuite

By Author: Reef Gear
Total Articles: 7
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The first, and arguably, the most important aspect of buying a wetsuit are establishing where you will use it as that decides the thickness that you require. Obviously there is a big difference between SCUBA diving in the Riviera Maya and the Bahamas, specifically if we are discussing Spring, Fall, or Winter diving. If you are using the suit more for protection than for warmth, because the climate is warmer, maybe a one-millimeter O’Neill Thinskin suit is what's called for. The Thinskin by O’Neill offers the full protection of a full Wetsuit, but the comfort and climate coolness that a rash guard would offer. Maybe the water is eighty degrees and boardshorts would be most comfortable, utilizing a Body Glove Surf Shirt with one-millimeter neoprene would do.

Use and functionality are generally two of the most important characteristics of choosing anything, and if you live inland, and will use the wetsuit for both diving and surfing on your trip, finding the perfect balance is probably easier than you thought. For example a “Shorty” wetsuit, consisting of full body coverage minus below the elbow and knee, might ...
... be a perfect fit for your travel needs, the O’Neill Reactor 2MM Spring Shorty is where to start.

Of course if you are diving off the coast of Florida in March a one or two-millimeter wetsuit isn’t going to cut. Wetsuits are measured by thickness, which in turn is used to combat the different temperatures encountered in the water. A 5 MM (millimeter) wetsuit, such has the O’Neill Sector, is made for water 55-70 degrees, perfect for those spring and fall Atlantic temps.

Outside of thickness, which as stated above is relative to water temperature, fit is the next metric to look towards. Many people think comfort and fit are interchangeable or synonymous, but that is not the case. Fit the precise grip over the body, the fit that the manufacturer expects when they make a particular type of wetsuit. While at 250 pounds and 5’10, one might think the 3XL fits better, most likely they are acknowledging their comfort. The last think one wants to do, is have extra fabric hang around the chest, arms, and legs. Hang creates discomfort and rash, as well as areas where more water can gather, that is the enemy of warmth.

The Body Glove Vapor Wetsuit, is full length to the ankles but has short sleeves, this might be ideal for someone that wants more freedom of movement and is less concerned with arm warmth. Fit is still key here, as loose fabric causes chaffing and rashes, the last thing your want when 60 feet below the surface.

Don’t be afraid to ask someone how the fit is, your comfort might tell you that the O’Neill Explore Wetsuit is tight, but the fit might indicate it is the perfect “fit.” If you don’t look like a super-hero when wearing your wetsuit, it is too big.

Comfort, is important, just less so than fit. What is comfort without fit? Immediately it is cold, afterwards it’s a rash. What is fit without comfort? A miserable time. Finding both fit and comfort is the trickiest obstacle when choosing your Body Glove or O’Neill wetsuit. Different manufactures have different fits, for example the Body Glove Stealth has a larger fit around the chest at 2MM than the O’Neill Sector has, but the O’Neill fits larger around the legs. Don’t ask don’t tell, doesn’t work in wetsuits, you need to ask, and someone who is educated in O’Neill and Body Glove need to tell.

Durability is an overused word these days, sure if you are only going to use the wetsuit once to finish your SCUBA certification, than durability is not the first thing you are looking for, price is. Well for someone that lives inland buying the Body Glove Shorty for the trip to the Riviera Maya will probably do for a couple of years, but if you are truly living it up underwater, than finding something that will last will save you hundreds of dollars over time. The O’Neill Sector Wetsuit address durability with their seamless fit. What is seamless? It is when rubber latex is used in place of stitching in all places that were to need stitches. There will be no straggling treads, as well as less water escaping keeping you warmer longer.

Finally finding that awesome style that meets your awesome personality is critical. Sure the O’Neill Explore is multi-colored with blue, yellow, and black, but you might not be a big “color” guy so the O’Neill Sector might be a better fit. Body Glove has many more unique styles that can express one’s self like the Body Glove Arc, with multi-tones and graphics it is as much as conversation piece as it is a diving piece. For women, the petunia (pink) O’Neill Sector or the O’Neill Reactor might be a little light on pizzazz, so try the Body Glove Aura with its crystal blue, black, grey, and body glove graphics bringing the party to reef.

Regardless of what you are looking for in a wetsuit, make sure that you stick to your priorities: Fit, Comfort, Durability, and finally Style.