Wetsuits are our protective layer that prevents the loss of body heat. When we are diving underwater the heat loss is much faster . A good suit will allow us to enjoy diving in all kinds of dives, whatever the water temperature. Better to dive warm than cold.

The most important thing when choosing a suit is to take into account several factors so that it adapts as much as possible to the type of diving that we are going to do. For example, if it will frequently be in cold waters or you are cold, you will need a thicker suit and it will be of the semi-dry or dry type, while if you are going to do many diving trips, a more versatile suit will be better for you. that it swells as little as possible and that it adapts to different temperatures.

Other aspects to take into account are the flexibility of the suit, the presence of reinforcements, reflective elements, the quality of the closures, etc.

To help you with the choice, below you will find a guide with the key points to buy the best suit for you.

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Before starting with the wetsuits also recommend the use of a lycra. They do not cost as much as a neoprene and if we do not have our own wetsuits they will prevent direct skin contact with the neoprene avoiding the risk of skin infections. In addition, they will protect us from the sun .

Lycra

Types of diving suit

Wet or Wetsuit

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• Short (shorty) : it is used in tropical waters, since it leaves legs and arms exposed (some can be long sleeves). Its function is to maintain the temperature in the trunk and avoid friction with the rest of the diving equipment. It is the most comfortable and easy to put on. In addition, it can also be used for other water sports, such as snorkeling or surfing.

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• Complete: it is the most used type of suit. Suitable for dives in temperate waters (approx. Between 18-25 ° C). It covers the entire body and is somewhat thicker (5-7mm) than shorties (1-4mm), so it provides more thermal insulation and greater protection against scratches and pitting. Some come equipped with hoods, further helping to protect you from the cold. They may be:

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• Two pieces: they are practical and somewhat more versatile, since they allow you to use the jumpsuit or bib in summer and add the jacket when diving in colder waters, significantly increasing the thickness of the neoprene on the trunk, thus improving thermal protection. If both parts have a zipper, you must ensure that they do not coincide (better one on the back and the other on the front).

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• One -piece: the easiest to put on and take off, as well as being more watertight for being a single piece.

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Semi dry

These are complete suits, ideal for diving in warm and cold waters ( approx. 12-23 ° C) , especially if you are cold .

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The main difference with wet suits is that they have more tight closures on the zippers, neck, hands and feet. This minimizes the entry / exit of water, improving thermal insulation. Make sure it has a hood , as this will allow you to optimize the insulation (the head is one of the points on the body where the most heat is lost).

The zipper of these suits is also different, with reinforced seals to make it more watertight. Be careful with zippers they are usually a weak part of the equipment. This will make you need help if it is on your back. For this reason, there are divers who prefer suits with the chest zipper.

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tip

Keep in mind that these suits cost a bit more to put on and that you will spend more heat out of the water, so you should assess whether you really need a semi-dry suit for the most frequent type of immersion you will do.

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Dried

These suits allow you to dive in very cold waters (approx. 4-15 ° C). They are totally watertight, thanks to the presence of air inside. Its use is usually recommended in the case of experienced divers. And you need a course to learn how to use them. So they would need a separate section to be able to talk about them.

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