Wet suits are the most popular form of thermal protection for scuba divers. They are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Wet suits are made from neoprene; synthetic rubber foam that is filled with thousands of tiny gas bubbles. Neoprene wet suits are available in a variety of thicknesses from 2mm-9mm.
Choose the Proper Thickness
The thickness is probably the most important factor that will determine your comfort underwater. The thicker the wetsuit, the warmer you will be. Choose the thickness based on the type of water and diving you will be doing. In colder water, wear a thicker wet suit to prevent chill and hypothermia. The chart below gives average recommendations for wet suit thickness by water temperatures. The ranges overlap depending on individual body heat and comfort; some divers may be more comfortable in a lighter suit, while others may appreciate a thicker neoprene.
Temperature Suit Thickness Chart (For general reference only)
76°F - 86°F |
1/16" (1.6mm) neoprene or lycra |
69°F - 84°F |
1/8" (3mm) neoprene |
64°F - 77°F |
3/16" (5mm) neoprene |
49°F - 75°F |
1/4" (6.5mm) neoprene |
33°F - 66°F |
3/8" (9.5mm) neoprene, drysuit |
Pick Your Style
There are several choices to make here. Do you want a full wet suit or a shorty (usually has short arms and legs that end just above the knee)? Do you want a farmer john or jane (a two piece suit - one piece has long legs with a sleeveless top; it is usually worn with a covering jacket)? Do you need a hood? A shorty is for warm water diving. It does leave your arms and legs exposed to the water so you have to decide if it will be warm enough for you. A full scuba diving wet suit is probably the most common/popular. This style is one piece and has long arms and legs. Buying a wetsuit hood is not necessary (for most people) for diving in warm water but for cold water diving.
Check Quality of Construction
This will determine how long that wet suit will last. Most importantly, you need to check the seams of the wet suit. The cheapest and least strong is a glued stitch. It will sometimes have a piece of glued tape over the seams which will help with comfort. While it is adequate, it will probably give out sooner than other seams. Another of the basic stitches found mostly in "bargain" and "cheap" wet suits is the over-lock stitch which joins the neoprene a the seam by stitching the edges together. The ridge is on the inside of the suit which can become uncomfortable. If this seam is stretched to its limit the seam may open up and let in some water.
At the other extreme of construction quality, is the blind stitch. Here the material is first glued and then stitched on one side. However, the stitch doesn't pierce the material which would give an entry point for water. The same stitch is then done on the reverse side and interlocks with the first stitch. This gives the strongest seam. This type of construction is found on the more expensive suits. In between, is the flatlock stitching which you will find in many warm water wet suits. The two pieces of neoprene overlap and are joined together. Unlike the over-lock stitch, the seam lays flat making it more comfortable for the diver. While water can sometimes seep through these seams when stretched, it will be much less than with an over-lock stitch. Taped seams, with any of these stitches, helps prevent water leaking through the seams. It also helps the comfort factor making the suit more comfortable against the skin.
Check Type of Neoprene
The type of neoprene your suit is made of affects the quality of the suit and the price. The highest quality neoprene is gas blown and made with thousands of little bubbles of nitrogen gas. While it will compress and eventually wear out like all neoprene, it is the most durable type of neoprene. A chemical blown wetsuit feels softer but will not be as durable.
Look at the Size Chart
The size chart link is provided in the description of the wet suit. Verify where you will fall in the sizing guidelines. All manufacturers are different so make sure you look at the chart. If you are in between a size always go to the larger, not smaller size. If you're still unsure then you can place the order and write in the checkout notes your measurements and as much information describing your body type (i.e., I work out, have a belly, busty, hips, etc.) so we can get a sizing recommendation from the manufacturer. Keep in mind that giving such information may seem somewhat personal, especially for women, but this information is important in determining size.
Unisex suits are based on Men's sizing (x-small, small, etc). If the manufacturer's size chart does not specify the equivalent of women to men sizing, you can always compare the measurements. For example, looking at the measurements for a Women's Size 6 which is 5'3", 120 lbs then look at the Men's chart and find the size the measurements fall into. Most manufacturers do not make suits available in uncommon sizes for women, but they often do for men. Wet suits for men might be available in a medium-tall or x-large-short. It is not uncommon for women to purchase a men's suit if it fits.
Get the Right Fit
If you haven't worn a wet suit before you may think you have on the wrong size. Scuba diving wet suits feel snug and you will probably feel that you have a reduced range of motion. One point to remember is the thicker the suit, the warmer it is, but it is also bulkier which may seem uncomfortable and feel too small because it restricts your ability to move your arms and legs easily.
A wet suit must fit your body snugly for it to offer the best protection but shouldn't be so tight that you have trouble breathing or your movements are overly restricted. Once you enter the water a thin layer of water enters your wet suit filling the space between your skin and the inner surface of the wet suit. This layer of water is then warmed to your body temperature and helps to keep you warm throughout your dive.
For a correct wetsuit fit, your wrists and ankles should be snug. This is an area where water can easily seep in so these should not have gaps. The neck should also be snug but not too tight — remember, you need to breathe! There should not be any large gaps in the underarm or crotch area. You will, however, probably have a gap at the small of the back. This isn't unusual and you can always have it altered if it bothers you too much. Some people prefer to have their wet suit custom-made for a perfect fit. If you have a wet suit custom-made you can specify the minute details regarding shape, color and extra detailing that may not be available in most off-the-rack wet suits.