Scuba Diving Wetsuits

The right scuba diving wetsuit can drastically change the quality of your dives. It’s worth doing the research and finding the wetsuit that provides the right insulation and comfort for all of your dives. Find out what to look for when buying a scuba diving wetsuit so you can get the best wetsuit to complement your dives. 


Does the Water Temperature Matter When Choosing a Wetsuit?

The water you are diving into directly impacts what type of scuba wetsuit you should wear. Scuba diving off the coast of Hawaii in summer is very different than in a lake fed by a mountain’s spring thaw. The colder the water, the more insulation you’ll need.  Wetsuits are measured by the thickness of the materials used to make them. Here is a quick guide on how to read those measurements:
  • Two-number measurements: Wetsuits that feature two numbers mean there is a varied thickness between the torso and the appendages, with the first number referring to the body and the second referring to arms and legs. This means that a 3/2mm scuba diving wetsuit is 3mm thick in the torso and 2mm thick in the arms and legs. 
  • Single-number measurements: Wetsuits that feature just one number, like 5mm, have a uniform thickness throughout the suit.
For most newer divers, it’s a good call to start with a 5mm or a 3/2mm wetsuit. But which one should you choose? It’s usually good to use a 5mm fabric for 65-70 degree water, while 3/2 mm wetsuits are better for 75-82 degree water.

How Tight Should Your Scuba Wetsuit Be?

A good suit should feel snug, but it shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts your movement or makes you uncomfortable. Wetsuits can vary slightly in design and cut by different designers, so it’s important to try them on. When you try on a diving wetsuit, keep an eye out for:
  • Sleeve and pant length: A wetsuit won’t keep you insulated if it doesn’t cover your body. The sleeves should end at your wrist bone and the legs just above the ankle bone. 
  • Smooth fabric: Put on the wetsuit and run your hand around your entire body to feel how the suit forms around your physique. There should be no folds, lumps, bumps, or pockets of loose fabric. Don’t forget to check your lower back and crotch to make sure there is no saggy fabric that can leave air bubbles or folds.
Once you find a diving wetsuit that is tight enough, stretch your arms and legs. Simple stretches you learned in school, like arm circles and touching your toes, should be easy to complete without causing any rubbing or friction between your skin and the suit. If it hurts to do basic movements or you feel like your range of motion is limited while trying on a wetsuit, it is not a good fit.

BARE Sports Has What You Need

No matter the type of wetsuit or size (7mm, 5mm, 3mm) you’re searching for, BARE Sports has you covered. You can check out our selection of men’s or women’s wetsuits. With our different models such as Reactive and Evoke or Velocity and Nixie Ultra, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Men's Scuba Wetsuits

Velocity Ultra

Reactive

Revel

Sport S-Flex

Revelation

Women’s Wetsuits

Evoke Wetsuits

Nixie Ultra Wetsuit

Elate

Elation

Kids Wetsuits

Youth

Scuba Diving Wetsuits

7mm Wetsuits

5mm Wetsuits

BARE Outlet

Mens Clearance

Womens Clearance