In a diver's equipment, one of the most important elements is undoubtedly the suit. Considering the variety of types and the wide range of brands that produce them, the decision to buy a suit can be quite a challenge. What types of suits are available on the market and what are their characteristics?

Not all suits are created equal

The two basic categories of suits are drysuits and wetsuits. Wetsuits, also known as foam suits, are made of neoprene, which is a material with insulating properties. A characteristic feature of neoprene wetsuits is that as you descend to greater depths, they become thinner, thus reducing their insulating effect. Therefore, when choosing them, we should be guided by their thickness. Those whose thickness does not exceed 3 mm will work best in waters with a temperature above 25 degrees. Wetsuits with a thickness of 5 mm will be ideal for diving in the Mediterranean Sea and similar waters.

The thickest ones, i.e., those with a thickness of 7 mm, will be the best choice in Polish climatic conditions. When diving in low temperatures, for example in winter, we can buy so-called warmers of the same thickness for wetsuits to protect the chest and armpits. Some neoprene suits from Bare use a special Graphene/OmniRed technology, which warms the user by using their body heat with the help of 13 thermo-reactive minerals embedded in the neoprene fabric.

Drysuits differ from wetsuits in that water does not get inside them. They are made of various types of waterproof materials, and they also have so-called wrist seals and a neck seal, which prevent water from getting inside the suit. Since they do not have additional insulation, it is often necessary to buy a Bare undergarment or thermal underwear for them, which protects against heat loss and wicks moisture away from the body. A drysuit with an undergarment will provide us with the highest thermal comfort.