Scuba Wetsuit Buyers Guide - What to Look For When Buying Your Scuba Wetsuit

Buying a wet suit and choosing the style of wetsuit will depend entirely on the environment you intend to scuba dive or snorkel in. When you have decided that it is time to invest in a wetsuit, the most important factors to be considered are warmth, fit and comfort.

The following are characteristics which you should look out for when buying a wetsuit:

Warmth

Choosing the right thickness of your scuba wetsuit is essential, for you to feel comfortable underwater. First and foremost you must determine in what water temperatures you will likely be conducting your scuba/snorkeling activity.

It goes both ways, if you are going to dive in cold waters then a thin wetsuit will be highly inappropriate. In extremely cold waters, one could even consider using a dry suit. On the other hand, if you intend to frequently scuba dive in a warm climate then maybe a thinner one will be more suited for the warm waters. It is wise to ask seasoned scuba divers who frequent the areas in which you intend to dive, for opinions on the type of wetsuits they normally use, so that you can get a head start on what to look for.

Fit and comfort

When buying a wetsuit, choosing one that fits you well is one of the most important factors. In order to keep out excessive water from coming in, it is essential that you have the right fit. You do not want fresh cold water constantly entering your wetsuit as it will be impossible for your body to heat up and will start to feel cold therefore rendering your wetsuit useless.

When trying on the scuba wetsuit, it should not be too loose, but it should fit you snugly around your body like a second skin. Arm, leg and neck openings must be secure to prevent water to enter however avoid buying a wetsuit which is too tight. If you feel so restricted in your movements, that you feel it difficult to stand up straight, then the wetsuit is too small for you.

Wetsuit quality

The quality of construction of your scuba wetsuit is an important factor when buying a wetsuit. Below are some simple procedures you can follow when checking out the quality of the scuba wetsuit.

Neoprene - Check that the neoprene is stretchable. Find out if the neoprene is gas blown induced or chemical blown induced. Go for the gas blown induced neoprene as these are much more durable.

Seams - Check the seams of the wet suit. A good wetsuit should have its seams double glued and reinforced with stitching or thermal tape on the inside, or a combination of the two. This makes the suit more watertight.