How To Choose A Quality Wetsuit

[@Valtteri_Kenkkila]

I think that the most important feature of wetsuit is the overall fit, if it fits it stays warm. Also layered cuffs are nice feature on a wetsuit and pretty well slows down the water flow when using gloves and boots. Seac Sub Komoda is a suit that has those. It also has glued and sewn seams.

[@Kyu7]

A wetsuit should fit on the tight side when worn on land when dry.

[@DarkKoffee]

"As always, I failed to make this video 5 minutes long." Please there is no need to apologize for being very thorough and informative James!! I could happily listen to you talking about diving stuff ALL DAY LONG!! Thanks so much for being AWESOME!

[@DiversReady]

HA! Thanks.

[@scottbscop1251]

So I watched a few videos on this subject and you are the only one that wasn’t trying to sell a wet suit. Your also the only one I saw that spoke about the construction in the stitching. Great information thank you

[@Sharon-wh9hw]

Thank you for the education on wet suits 😬😬👍🏼👍🏼 now I know what to look for when I purchased my wet suit

[@toko2257]

Nice info. To me, the warm wetsuit that I started to use. It is the spearfish (opencell)... it's hard to put it on, need be more careful but keep me warm for longer.

[@seanbecker8114]

Glad too see a (reactive series) from the inside out lol. Great wetsuit, I have a 7mm and it works great up here in the cold water of the great lakes

[@dannysingletary9648]

Thanks James. I just picked up my first suit here in Sydney. I am enjoying your channel.

[@randyphillips410]

Great video as always. Being a bigger guy I couldn’t find a wetsuit that fit me well enough that I wouldn’t have water flushing thru one area or another the the entire dive so I actually did my research talked to a lot of experienced divers and the settled on getting a custom suit made. A little more expensive but price is not considering factor when it comes to comfort and staying warm. Thanks again James for great video I wish it would have been out about 6 months ago but then again I wouldn’t have got to do my own research and met some new dive buddies. Keep up the good work.

[@ubuntufrank]

Bare does some excellent wetsuits for larger divers. They're pricey but very good.

[@Bob-qu5ux]

Another excellent and very helpful short video. I wish you'd sold me my first wet suit It was ill fitting and flatlock stitched, man was I cold!

[@stephentoumi]

Would love to hear about drysuits too. When educating myself on which wetsuit to buy for cold water diving (7mm) in Northern California. I will admit that my opinion was swayed by the fact that my dive shop rents only Scubapro. When I started looking for a wetsuit to buy I started there, but was turned off by the price. However, after a few months of research and comparison, I circled back around and ended up where I had started, but very confident about the wetsuit I was purchasing at the price point it was offered. I've been very pleased with my 7mm wetsuit, solid construction, keeps me warm, love the zippers on the wrists and ankles, making getting in and out of my wetsuit much easier. Also has a well placed zipper down the front of the neck/chest to help relieve a bit of pressure before entering the water.

[@michaelplumpton8873]

Just started diving and over the last year I’ve got kitted out,the last thing I brought was a wetsuit.3mm full length,I was recommended scubapro or fourth element.I ended up with the fourth element after trying on both,the fourth element felt better + I didn’t want to be a walking advert for scubapro as I have the hydros bc.I just need to get underwater now

[@bricebeutin]

Would love to see a one on dry suits. I think I ended up getting a bad one just because of the way it wears

[@lukem2889]

Great video! I've only worn a wetsuit for less than 10% of my dives, but I've been thinking it's about time to buy one. I'll definitely use these tips!

[@CephBirk]

Thanks James! This is really helpful.

[@detroitsurvivor4989]

I just received my open water and currently looking for my first suit. My biggest concern is exactly what this video is about, warmth. I don't like being cold. Secondly, fit. Im pretty sure that both wetsuits i wore in my classes were both too small. Thanks for the video, bud!

[@lydialeigh4]

This is so helpful understanding the bare bones of wetsuits! Thank you so much!

[@willibordus]

Thank you, this wetsuits reviewing is very informative, I just realize the difference about sewing and glueing. For the next, maybe you can review about thermocline wetsuit which is they claim better and warmer than neoprene wetsuit… Thanks

[@rcconroy]

I wish that I knew this before purchasing my suit. Great information as always!

[@christopherreynolds8873]

Great video James. Thanks

[@rayc250]

Great learning information! Since I mainly dive Southern California, ended up buying a Scubapro Semi-Dry 7.5mm and it does the job up to a certain degree. Anything below 54F I get a bit chilly. Since I’m one of those shorter-rounder Americans I had to get the legs altered which was an additional cost, but the wetsuit fits great...now. The only thing I don’t like too much is the location of the zip, on the back as Apeks came out with a new semi-dry suit with the zip on the front. At this point I may as well buy a drysuit and go from there. Thanks for the great videos!

[@joelseguin9014]

Great tips, James. Never heard that anywhere else. Thank you so much.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

Back in the 70s I remember my Dad buying me a wetsuit kit. It was glued, then the fabric on the inside was stitched, the yellow rubber tape was glued on the outside. They were very warm. Legs, a jacket and a beaver tail to hold the two together.

[@jacobhicks7959]

Lake Erie is cold, lds has been a great source of knowledge per this video. Keep it up and take care of that ear.

[@Kyu7]

My biggest piece of advice too when buying a suit is that when dry and worn on land, it should fit almost too tight, which means underwater it will fit perfectly and retain the warm water the best.

[@xfuntion]

Gracias por la información

[@brianmonteithlaureenclemen6841]

Great video. Can you do similar for for drysuits? Neoprene, Tri-Lam, Semi-Dry, etc.?

[@vonchef14]

Thanks for the awesome vlog looking forward to using this information on My future acquisition of a wet suit here this summer

[@arielgomiz]

Forgot to talk about the aquastops in arms and legs or you dont consider them relevant for warmth? I had an aqualung solafx and it was great, when needed to change i bought an aqualung iceland and even its "semi drysuit" i felt warmer with the solafx that is not. So the best isnt always the most expensive one.

[@luisjaimegonzalez4592]

Man I didn't know this. Thank you for the information James!

[@ArabPhysics]

Just in the right time, thanks man

[@kevindavison6019]

Wetsuit was the hardest thing to buy because off the rack suits and sizing are so different brand to brand I had to buy several online (no LDS near me) just to try them on for fit then return the ones I didn't like. I wish the brands would offer the same design in different thicknesses as then when I find one that fits well I could buy several for different temps. Instead I ended up buying two different brands and several different accessories from different manufacturers. Price is also a big factor as I could spend money on equipment OR spend it to go diving.

[@bevlawrence5649]

Thank you again James. Great info.

[@viperpm]

Hahaha I just bought another wetsuit today! Like literally 3-4 hours ago 🤣🤣 thankfully I know I’ll like the suit

[@benharsha8467]

I've got a stitched suit that generally works great, but if I wanted it to work better would applying some sort of tape to the stitched seams work well? A quick google shows that this is something you can easily buy, but how well would that work as an at-home wetsuit upgrade?

[@Chogogo717]

I’ve wondered the same thing for my 3/2 O’Neil I surf in.

[@aypcreative]

I have the same question!

[@dannysingletary9648]

I am wanting it to pickup a 5mm wetsuit. My biggest concerns is a comfortable fit. Many of the suits I have tried are tight in the shoulders, but to be fair they have all been standard issue dive boat rental suits.

[@jeffworst9939]

Then you should probably go with a custom made suit if an off-the-rack isn't fitting well. I had mine custom made and am very happy. Along with what James said, fit is also really important for getting the maximum warmth out of your suit.

[@dannysingletary9648]

@@jeffworst9939 Thanks for the feedback Jeff

[@lmlmd2714]

One thing I'd add, double-cone wrist/ankle/neck seals on cold water wetsuits make a *world* of difference. I swear by them.

[@scottm6927]

Thanks for a great video. James, I'm a big guy without the benefit of long legs... in other words I'm a short rugby player. 5'8" and 260lbs. I'm having a hard time finding a wetsuit for a guy like me. I live in North Carolina and will be diving 70 degree quarry water here, as well as the coastal waters from here to South Florida. Any advice? Thanks again for your time and excellent videos!

[@ubuntufrank]

Great stuff, thank you!

[@UmarFarooq-jl1qq]

U should start vlogging when u go diving 😎

[@diadlo13]

Medium to high quality Freediving/spearfishing are pretty much all glued and blind stiched. With exposed neoprene on the inside. They are miles ahead of anything else wetsuit wise for warmth. I dive in the Pacific Northwest in 5°c water and can spend 3-4h in the water no problem. I'd say my spearfishing 7mm suite is at least twice as warm as my old 5mm scuba suite

[@nick-i9k4t]

What suit do you use?

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

I don't see many videos on layering of wet suits. I live near cold water but wish to travel to warm. Is there a recommended layering system like a 3mm shorty under/over a 5mm full suit? I could wear both in cold, or either in warm? What would be better, a 5mm shorty and a 3mm long or vice versa? Is it just best to buy 3 wet suits for mobility?

[@DiversReady]

Thanks for your questions! I will answer this in this Thursdays video...!

[@robertgeorgerees]

Thanks, Great information! ..although I prefer a shorty for comfort and ease of getting on and off...Wondering if it’s better to use a full wetsuit rather than a shorty in the ocean...to protect against stings fire coral etc...thoughts?

[@10ntyan43]

What are the difference between open cell vs closed cell wetsuit ?

[@donr3407]

I believe it's about time to start producing neoprene fed 3D printers. Thickness and elasticity in all the right places with zero seams anywhere. Now that could create true second skin technology. As always bro, thank you for your vids and keep on swimming.

[@davewollenschlager5567]

James, I always love your videos and the information that you provide every week. Thank you for sharing with newbies like me. I live in Southern California and the water is usually colder than Miami. Does the same seams apply to dry suits as that is what i would be diving in or a heavy 7mm wetsuit?

[@DiversReady]

Hi Dave, thanks very much. I'm going to answer your question in this month's channel update video Q&A section.

[@davewollenschlager5567]

@@DiversReady Thanks James

[@cobia40]

If that middle suit is a Henderson Fire Fleece 3mm or higher the stitching on that is a glued double blind stitch seam (GBS). The ankle and wrist are the only flatlock stitching on that suit. Here is a link for some of the stitching types on wetsuits. www.cleanlinesurf.com/wetsuit-guide/wetsuit-seam-construction-and-paneling/

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

You should look into a career in radio. I was shopping for a wet suit and one item said not suitable for scuba because of the foam compression characteristics. Is there a name for this type of foam? I understand you not wishing to endorse or reject brands, but Is there a guide to which suits have the welded seams? Many adds do not state the construction.

[@DiversReady]

If they don't state the construction technique, they are probably best avoided!

[@sigmachi5803]

James, Thank you! Knowing your recommendations about wet suit construction has enriched my awareness of what to look for. Is it possible to order a wet suit or "skins" by mail? I used to live on St. Croix, where I earned my PADI Scuba Certifications. I only wore a "lycra skin" back then. I now live in the Chesapeake Bay region of the US and have the occasional need to dive under my boat to clean the bottom or inspect it...of course there is that bucket list desire to go to the Dry Tortugas and the Keys. What measurements would you need to fit me with a wet suit of the better quality and or a "skin?" Do you actually have a store? Thank you! Alan V. Cecil

[@DiversReady]

I don't do retail, no. Your best bet is to go to a few websites of the actual manufacturers (Fourth Element, BARE, Waterproof etc) and look at their size chart. When you find a suit you think will fit, order from an authorised retailer and check their return policy in case it doesn't fit and you need to swap it out.

[@drewbursey6022]

Make sure that the wetsuit is tight (I think my wetsuit is 1-2 sizes too small...)!! I have an ocean of water after every dive... I'm always soaking wet after a dive, some of my buddies that have a well fitted wetsuit are pretty much dry when they get out

[@francisbevacqua8014]

Thank you James, any suggestions for a quality suit for a big guy? (4 XL OR 5XL)

[@DiversReady]

I like BARE suits and I'm a big guy (3X)

[@thomastse6228]

Can someone tell me why a diagonal zipper is easier to close?

[@johnmontgomery2735]

Great video! It seems I just bought the wrong suit for my 2 week trip to Bonaire. In this day and age of online buying is there a way to tell the type of stitching? Do they actually tell you in the description?

[@DiversReady]

Usually they will mention the manufacturing technique in the description.

[@Chogogo717]

You could probably be just fine with a heater top most of the year on Bonaire.

[@pyros2359]

I’m a Divemaster in training at a Maritime Academy in Maine. We use the Hollis NeoTek 8/7/6 semi dry for our students.

[@jaspervanloo9864]

I always feel like diving wetsuits are always running a bit behind on technology compared to surfing wetsuit. Plush and infrared linings, GBS, internal taping and outside liquid seals (and suits carrying a combination of all those methods) have been around for years...

[@Chogogo717]

Depends on how much you spent on it. I’ve got an O’Neil that flushes so bad. I’ve worn it probably 10 times in 2 years, cause I’m in texas, and the shoulders seems are blowing out. It’s a cheap suit and wears like it.

[@jaspervanloo9864]

@@Chogogo717 The best wetsuit is the one that flushes the least, and the one that flushes the least is the one that fits best! Everybody has a brand that fits his/her bodytype best. For me it's a BARE ST for diving and a RipCurl ST for surfing. Even though prices are similar, the RipCurl is far superior in building quality. Unfortunately, surfing wetsuits use a lower density neoprene (more stretch), so the thickness goes next to nothing when diving when the bubbles in the neoprene compresses at depth. Also, spend as much as you can afford. With wetsuits, it's worth it, both in quality and durability.

[@Chogogo717]

@@jaspervanloo9864 yup. The one I’ve got just leaks at every stitched seam and the back zipper is a joke.

[@jaspervanloo9864]

@@Chogogo717 Back zips suck anyway. Not comfortable with a tank on your back and not wind-proof enough for surfing. Switched to front and chest zip years ago. Huge fan of zipless currently! Can't wait for this to blow over to scuba suits.

[@andrecandrade]

Bare ❤️

[@chrishorne4016]

Like the video, how's the ear?

[@Mikesworld777]

My whole 3mm full suit is blind and glued seams.

[@billweithman52]

When did you get a fish tank?

[@DiversReady]

This month! Thanks for noticing.

[@billweithman52]

@@DiversReady I'm into aquariums, so I notice them. That's why I started diving. I fell in love with the ocean through the glass pane of an aquarium.

[@thegreatneess]

How To Choose A Quality Wetsuit? 1st find a wetsuit that fit 2nd CRY because there is no adult wetsuit that fit 3rd only the biggest kids wetsuit fit 😭with limited choice