Rating of the best wetsuits for diving and spearfishing in 2022

While diving, underwater sports or hunting, a person experiences the effects of water on his body for a long time and is forced to protect his body from hypothermia.It is for this purpose - keeping warm, thermal insulation - that a high-quality and reliable wetsuit is needed. At the same time, it is important not to overheat in the suit itself, so before buying, you should decide on the temperature of the water in order to select the appropriate type of wetsuit, its thickness, design and additional elements.

Wetsuit Types

All wetsuits are divided into three main types:

Dry

Thanks to special cuffs on the arms and neck, as well as water- and gas-tight zippers, the suit almost completely eliminates the ingress of water inside. This is the most hermetic equipment that perfectly retains the heat of the human body. The thickness of such a suit is from 5 to 15 mm, it is quite heavy, hinders movement, but at the same time ensures safety when immersed in water, the temperature of which is below zero. Special air valves inside the suit facilitate movement and comfort.Additionally, dry suits are equipped with boots and a helmet. The purpose of a dry suit is to stay under water for a long time, as well as professional work that does not require activity.

• maximum tightness;
• the possibility of combining with thermal underwear;
• high strength.

• limited movement.

Wet

The name is explained by the peculiarity of the equipment device - its design implies the ingress of water, which is heated by the heat of the human body and thereby provides thermal insulation. Water circulation under the suit should be kept to a minimum, so it is important to get the right size. This type of equipment is the most inexpensive, comfortable, its thickness is from 1 to 5 mm, which provides a certain mobility, as well as protection at water temperatures from +16 to +24 degrees. Thinner wetsuits are usually designed for swimming in warm water over 30 degrees. At the same time, the equipment protects the skin from possible damage.

• a large selection of various configurations;
• light weight;
• elasticity;
• affordability.

• sometimes it becomes necessary to use a special gel to facilitate donning.

Semi-dry

This is a combined type of wetsuit that combines the characteristics of the two above. It is denser than a wet suit, but at the same time passes a small amount of water under its shell, and thermal insulation depends on the degree of fit of the suit to the body. The thickness of the equipment is from 3 to 7 mm for water temperatures from +10 to +20 degrees.

• keeps heat well even in cool water;
• lightness and strength;
• provides maximum freedom of movement;
• protects the skin from damage.

• equipment is designed for no more than 2 hours in the water.

Characteristics of materials

Wetsuits are made from three main materials: neoprene, trilaminate and rubberized fabric. The texture of these fabrics is as close as possible to the skin of animals of the underwater world, sharks or dolphins. The materials are highly durable, elastic, for ease of putting on they are covered on both sides with nylon or jersey, some models are covered with plush inside.

Design features

According to their design and device, the following types of wetsuits are distinguished:

1. Monosuit. It is a one-piece jumpsuit that fits the legs and arms along the entire length, and additionally the head with a neoprene helmet. The thickness of such suits is from 3 to 5 mm.
2. Cropped monosuit. In other words, this is a one-piece suit without a helmet, with short sleeves no lower than the elbow and trouser legs to the middle of the thighs. Thickness is about 1 - 3.5 mm.
3. Separated. This is the most suitable diving suit for spearfishing, which consists of a jumpsuit with straps (Long John - Long John) and a jacket with a zipper with long sleeves and a helmet. The thickness of the vestments is from 5 to 9 mm.
4. Combined. In such equipment, elements and details of the types of wetsuits listed above are mixed. This is usually a combination of a one-piece suit, helmet and jacket, or a cropped long-sleeved one-piece suit and a sleeveless one-piece suit. Combined vestments provide maximum heat retention due to their layering.

How to choose the right equipment for spearfishing and diving

The choice directly depends on the type of use of the wetsuit, the conditions of its use (place, water temperature and other parameters), as well as on what price is most acceptable.

When choosing a wetsuit, consider the following characteristics:

1. Material;
2. Anatomically accurate tailoring;
3. Suitable thickness;
4. Positive buoyancy;
5. Elasticity;
6. The presence of inserts that provide freedom of movement;
7. The presence of protective knee pads;
8. UV protection;
9. The location of the zipper.

Wetsuits for swimming

Equipment of this type is designed for water temperatures from +23 to +30 degrees, made of neoprene and mixed synthetic fabrics such as polyamide, elastane. Such materials should improve buoyancy, reduce the resistance of the aquatic environment, not impede movement, fit well to the body, but at the same time not disturb blood circulation. The thickness is usually 0.5 to 5 mm. The design can be anything from a one-piece suit to a shortened version, as well as for women and children.

• a combination of comfort and a snug fit of the suit to the body;
• swimming improvement;
• variety of models.

• same design.

Most Popular Models

1. Aqua Sphere AQUA SKIN SHORTY. Short men's suit with a thickness of 0.5 to 1 mm, the average cost is -13,725 rubles.
2. HUUB Aegis 2. Women's high-elastic monosuit worth 17,164 rubles.
3. Speedo lzr racer elite 2. Women's starter suit with silicone layer. The average price is 18,500 rubles.

Wetsuits for spearfishing

These are the smoothest dry, wet and semi-dry suits, solid or separate, featuring a wide variety of color designs that mimic natural shades. It can be black and brown, gray, olive tones, as well as camouflage (simple and three-dimensional).

• maximum thermal insulation;
• fast drying.

• costumes that are thicker will form folds during storage.

Most Popular Models

1. Mares EXTREM 70. Separate suit, 7 mm. The average price is 9,410 rubles.
2. Salvimar Wet Drop Cell. Wet two-piece suit with nylon lining on the outside. Thickness 7 mm, price - 9,900 rubles.
3. Aquadiscovery CALCAN. Separate suit of Russian production. Thickness 5 mm, cost - 14,535 rubles.

Wetsuits for cold water

Suits of this type are designed for water temperatures below 10 degrees. They come in dry and wet type, one-piece and two-piece designs with an integrated helmet. As a rule, they have tight lining on the back, as well as in the chest and groin area, and the seams are additionally taped. The wetsuit includes boots, socks and gloves.

• high thermal insulation, protection against hypothermia and injury;
• the ability to stay in cold water for a long time.

• the need for careful storage.

Most Popular Models

1. OMER Gold Black. Wetsuit, 7mm. The average price is 12,000 rubles.
2. SARGAN Neman RD2. Wet-type equipment, 0.9 mm thick, worth 14,900 rubles.
3. Henderson Thermoprene. Wet suit, 7mm, price 22,000 rubles.

Wetsuits for swimming in the pool

This professional seamless sports equipment is called starter. A feature of such suits is that they increase the speed of swimming, and combined fabrics are used for their manufacture, for example, Teflon. There are men's, women's (usually with an open back, or with a zipper on the back) and children's. By design, these are closed overalls, suits with short sleeves and trousers (to the knees), as well as wet pants and hydro shorts.

• improvement of muscle tone;
• anatomical cut;
• improvement of hydrodynamics;
• maximum comfort.

• small range of colors.

Most Popular Models

1. Arena Powerskin Carbon Pro Jammer. Men's hydroshorts, the average cost of which is 14,590 rubles.
2. Arena Carbon Ultra. Women's suit with an open back. The average cost is 20,400 rubles.
3. Arena Powerskin Full Body Short Leg. Teflon-coated cropped suit, average price - 28,800 rubles.

Wetsuits for fishing

Most often, this is wet-type equipment, which is short or long overalls with a built-in helmet. In addition, this vestment is equipped with a special seal in the groin area, on the chest, as well as obturators on the wrists and ankles. There are pads on the knees and elbows, and soft neoprene inserts on the sides.

• high thermal insulation;
• fast drying.

• the need for careful storage.

Most Popular Models

1. Mundial Elaskin Beuchat. Inexpensive elastic men's monosuit, 7 mm, worth 2,776 rubles.
2. Technisub Walea. A separate suit made of neoprene 5 mm thick, worth 7,000 rubles.
3. Marlin Prestige Beuchat. Comfortable soft combination wetsuit, 5 mm. The average cost is 10,000 rubles.

Women's wetsuits

Usually these are wet suits, which have a special anatomical cut. They are equipped with additional seals on the chest and shoulders, as well as soft inserts on the sides, in the armpits. They are separate and solid, made of highly elastic neoprene, have convenient zippers to facilitate the process of putting on and taking off.

• designed taking into account the characteristics of the female body;
• comfortable wearing;
• variety of colors;
• lightweight material.

• models for cold water and fishing are almost never found.

Most Popular Models

1. Mares Manta. Inexpensive short gear, 2.2 mm, average price - 6,294 rubles.
2. Mystic 2015 Diva 5/4 D/L Fullsuit Front zip Women Teel. Very light monosuit with a thickness of 5 mm, worth 26,000 rubles
3. HENDERSON Aqualock, Drysuit, 5mm. The average price is 34,320 rubles.

Winter wetsuits

Designed for water temperatures from +16 to 0 degrees. These vestments of all types are made of thickened neoprene, two-piece construction, equipped with elbow and knee pads, as well as a reinforced seam.

• protects from cold for a long time;
• easy donning;
• large selection of colors.

• training is required to wear such a suit.

Most Popular Models

1. Beuchat Mundial Equipment. Two-piece wet suit 9 mm thick. The average price is 14,640 rubles.
2. Sargan Neman RD2. Combined equipment, 0.9 mm, worth 14,998 rubles.

Summer wetsuits

Light equipment designed for water temperatures above +25 degrees. The design options for these suits are very diverse, including monosuits. Their thickness is often combined to ensure comfort.

• freedom of movement;
• a wide selection of bright colors;
• affordability.

• used exclusively in summer.

Most Popular Models

1. Mystic Crossfire 32 Shorty. Lightweight cropped suit, average cost - 12,760 rubles.
2. Mormaii Orbixx. Monosuit, 3.2 mm, average price - 12,500 rubles.
3. Cressy LEI.Women's monosuit, 2.5 mm, worth 4,410 rubles.

Wetsuits

The most popular type of equipment, which is one-piece and two-piece, is equipped with a helmet and tight knee pads, seals in the elbow and knee bends.

• reliable thermal insulation;
• a wide variety of models.

• after immersion in sea water, it is necessary to rinse the equipment in fresh water;
• requires careful care and storage.

Most Popular Models

1. Tecnica Cressi Sub. Budget two-component suit with a thickness of 5 and 7 mm, costing 1,200 rubles.
2. OMER Master Team. Separate soft suit, 3 mm, average price - 14,879 rubles.

Which wetsuit to choose

For diving, it is best to opt for a wet or semi-dry type of equipment, the thickness of which is from 3 to 5 mm. The model should be with long sleeves and legs, the outer material should be smooth, with a texture that reduces water resistance. In order for the movements of the hands under water to be as free as possible, it is necessary to have special thin inserts under the armpits and in the shoulder area.

For spearfishing, a semi-dry monosuit (or two-piece) is required, as well as a helmet and boots. It should be noted that the presence of zip fasteners in this case is undesirable, unless they are gas-tight. The thickness of the shell should be at least 5-7 mm.

For swimming, surfing, a wet suit with a small thickness (about 3 mm) is enough, and for those who are engaged in professional underwater work, a dry type of vestment is needed, with a thickness of 7 to 9 mm.