When to Wear a Fullsuit?

For scuba divers, a full wetsuit will be perfect in temperate or colder water. As divers don’t move as much as surfers for example and descend deeper underwater, where the water is colder, a fullsuit for scuba divers should be thicker. If you are looking for a thicker wetsuit to dive in cold water, it should be made of 7mm neoprene and higher. Additionally, it is a good idea to use layers such as a combination of a fullsuit with a jacket, or shorty for added core warmth.

As for surface watersports, such as surfing or paddleboarding, you will want the fullsuit to be thinner and more flexible not to overheat you or restrict your mobility.

Spearfishing-specific suits often have printed graphics that help to disguise the diver underwater. The color of such camo fullsuit will depend on where you plan to spearfish.

Farmer John vs Full Wetsuit

Farmer John is a sleeveless wetsuit ideal for paddling sports and layering. As a single piece of dive wear, a John may not be sufficient in colder water temperatures. So it will be an excellent first layer under a jacket.

If you are looking for something lighter on warm water dives, a short sleeve full wetsuit may be your choice.

For temperate and cold water, a long-sleeve full wetsuit will perfectly warm your entire body. You may also need a hood, gloves, and boots in addition to a full-body wetsuit for sufficient thermal protection.

Which Full Wetsuit to Choose?

At DIPNDIVE, you can find a great variety of full wetsuits from multiple brands including O’Neill, ScubaPro, Henderson, Cressi, Seac, etc.

If you are looking for a durable diving fullsuit, pay attention to its pressure and abrasion resistance. Scuba diving occurs in a higher-pressure environment, so the wetsuit material should withstand that; thus, you can dive in it for many years. Diving gear is another thing that can damage a wetsuit, so abrasion resistance is an essential feature too.

If you are a surfer, freedom of movement is what you should be looking for in a fullsuit. Surfing is mostly an overwater activity where you will move a lot, so a surfing fullsuit should be made of a thinner stretchier material to allow you to do that.

A freediving wetsuit should have a mixture of both features – pressure resistance and freedom of movement.

As for spearfishing, a chest pad will be your keyword while searching. A chest pad provides abrasion protection on a chest area during speargun loading.

Find your perfect full wetsuit for any water sport at DIPNDIVE!

Do You Wear Anything Under a Full Wetsuit?

Yes, you can wear swimwear, board shorts, or a rash guard under a full wetsuit. For added warmth, a thin thermal layer or neoprene shorts can be worn underneath in colder waters. However, many people wear nothing under the wetsuit, as it’s designed to fit like a second skin and minimizes chafing or bunching.