In the world of scuba diving, your choice of wetsuit can make all the difference to your underwater explorations and is the main deciding factor between a thrilling and comfortable dive experience and a shivering one.
Whether you’re a seasoned cold water diver or have recently taken the plunge and want to make diving your new hobby, our guide will be your compass in navigating the vast sea of wetsuit options available to you. Here are 2024’s best scuba diving wetsuits for cold water.
WHAT THICKNESS WETSUIT DO I NEED FOR DIVING?
As a rule of thumb, the colder the water temperature you dive in, the thicker your diving wetsuit must be. During the winter months, we recommend wearing a wetsuit with a thickness of 5mm or 7mm, depending on how cold the sea is - the latter being the best option to keep you insulated in icy waters.
Our previous wetsuit thickness guide below can help if you'd like to know more.
1. CRESSI LAMPUGA MENS 2-PIECE 7/5MM
Starting with the highly reviewed Cressi Lampuga Mens 2-Piece Spearfishing 7/5mm Diving Wetsuit, this camouflage print suit is the ultimate wetsuit to turn your dive into a spearfishing adventure. Its cryptic camouflage technology had been designed with inspiration from a Dolphin fish to help you blend in with the local wildlife - making it the perfect option if you’re looking for the catch of the day.
Spearfishing aside, if you simply want to explore the water beneath you without a specific goal, this diving wetsuit will keep you warm in the coldest UK waters, courtesy of its 7mm neoprene.
With its water-tight hood, ankles and wrists, high-waisted trousers and anatomical cut, this suit is comfortable, flexible, and made to last.
2. CRESSI RICCIOLA MENS 2-PIECE 5MM
If you don’t need a diving suit as thick as 7mm and prefer something without a camo print, then the Cressi Ricciola Mens 2-Piece 5mm Spearfishing Wetsuit is the best 5mm wetsuit for scuba diving on the market today. It features new ‘smooth’, dual-layer neoprene technology called ‘sandwich neoprene’ around the most sensitive areas for a seamless and comfortable fit.
Loved by freedivers, professionals, and fishermen, this suit has underarm panels and an anatomical design similar to the Cressi Lampuga for extra comfort.
This diving suit also comes in 7mm for extra warmth.
3. CRESSI FACILE MONOPIECE 8MM
For all the underwater adventurous ladies out there, our Cressi Facile Monopiece Women's Dive 8mm Wetsuit, (also available for men) is even warmer for those venturing into icy cold waters! Featuring an attached hood so you can stay in the water for longer, this one-piece is simply one of the best women's wetsuits for scuba diving today.
With an incredibly innovative ‘water stop system’, this diving wetsuit is built to create a double barrier of water infiltration and improve thermal insulation. So it’s safe to say you’ll be toasty!
The Cresi Facile Monopiece also features special 6.5mm inserts on the arms and legs for seamless, comfortable movements.
This incredible suit not only looks cool but is also available in 7mm and 5mm if you don’t need something as heavily insulated.
4. CRESSI FAST MONOPIECE 5MM BLACK
The Cressi Fast Monopiece 5mm Dive Wetsuit for Men and Women is a more budget-friendly entry-level diving suit. This one-piece diving suit is elegant, warm, and versatile. With a water-stop system on the ankles and wrists, pre-shaped legs for better flexibility, anti-abrasion re-reinforcement on the knees, as well as ultra-span neoprene on the arms and legs, this is a must-have reliable diving wetsuit for novices.
5. CRESSI GLACIER HIGH DENSITY 4MM DRYSUIT
Lastly, we have the Cressi Glacier Man High Density 4mm. This badass diving wetsuit is also available for women, and it is the bee's knees when it comes to the ultimate drysuit on the market today!
We recommend this suit to serious divers who regularly explore the underwater world and those who are more experienced, as this is certainly a more expensive option.
This heavy-duty option features durable construction, pre-compressed high-density neoprene (making it more comfortable in deep water), exceptional insulation, and resistance to compression - allowing you to explore the harshest underwater environments. This Cressi drysuit is undoubtedly more than an upgrade!
Remember, the best diving wetsuit is the one that aligns with your specific needs. If you’re still unsure of the type of diving wetsuit you’d like, contact us today, and our team of water enthusiasts will be happy to help. In the meantime, why not browse our full selection of diving wetsuits below?
