Freediving Wetsuits

The wetsuit acts as the freediver’s second skin in that it keeps your body warm while you’re in the water.

Specific for freediving

Freediving wetsuits are specific to their purpose. They should be as close to a perfect fit as possible.   They are usually a combination of long johns with a separate jacket with no zips to minimise flushing. The neoprene used is generally open cell which provides maximum warmth and mobility. The downside to this type of material is that it’s very fragile.

Scuba diving wetsuits aren’t suitable for freediving.  This is because water circulates freely in them.  That’s fine when your body is constantly on the move generating heat to keep the water warm.   However when freediving you’re trying to move as little as possible between dives and therefore better insulation is needed.

The ideal freediving wetsuit

The ideal freediving wetsuits are smooth, flexible and have minimal compression with depth. A smooth finish on the outside of the suit reduces drag and helps you move through the water with less effort.  The difference between a suit with a nylon skin and a suit with smooth finish neoprene is quite noticeable in the water.

Freediving wetsuits are sold in thicknesses typically from 3.5mm to 7mm – the thicker the wetsuit, the warmer it will be.  When choosing your wetsuit thickness it isn’t just the water temperature that counts. There are a few other factors to consider including water temperature, air temperature, wind, cold sensitivity and activity.

If you want a more durable wetsuit for snorkelling as well as freediving, then you might want to sacrifice the slickness and get a nylon skin for increased scratch/tear resistance.

Flexibility is an important factor when choosing a freediving wetsuit. The less the suit interferes with your movement, the better it is.

Custom wetsuits

It is recommended to get a custom made wetsuit. You get a wetsuit that fits your body perfectly offering the maximum efficiency in insulation and manoeuvrability.  You also have freedom to customise specific details such as having the arms in up-stretched position, mixing different thickness of neoprene for different parts of the suit and of course choosing colours and designs.

Buy a wetsuit now

Freediving wetsuits at Simply Scuba