Updated August 12, 2022
This post defines and describes Lycra dive skins for freediving and scuba diving in the buying guide just below. Afterward, 10 of the top models are reviewed with photos, several videos, and a comparison table.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Lycra Dive Skins Buying Guide
Exposure Protection
For scuba diving, snorkeling, and freediving, as well as all water sports, we look for exposure protection based on environmental factors including water temperature. When the water is warm, the exposure protection provided by a wetsuit or drysuit is not necessary to fend off the cold, but protection from UV rays, sunburn, stings from jellyfish, sea lice, and abrasions is still desirable.
Lycra Dive Skins
That’s where wearing a Lycra suit, otherwise known as a skin suit or rash guard comes in. Made of lightweight elastic fabricated materials using nylon, polyester, and others, Lycra is the brand name of the original material used which has become generic in usage.
Just wearing some material between your skin and the sun provides protection. An added coating of a particular UV material can enhance protection. A common rating for this type of protection on skin suits is UPF 50. Long sleeves and hoods provide fuller protection from the sun and against various stingers that are uncomfortable to health-threatening anywhere on the body, but particularly so on the head.
Use as an Undergarment
The use of a skin suit underneath a wetsuit makes it easier to don and doff and helps prevent chafing from friction between the skin and the wetsuit.
Features
Most modern materials used are quick drying.
Another feature to consider is the position of the zipper on the front or back. You may have a preference. To reach it a back zipper will require a long strap.
Foot and thumb loops are advantageous in keeping the suit in position rather than riding up.
Knee and elbow pads and other reinforced areas may suit your activities or style of diving.
Many spearfishermen prefer a chest pad for cocking the speargun.
The color of the suit is a factor for hunting or photography. Camouflage and colors that allow you to blend into the background inhibit detection by targets.
Best Lycra Dive Skin Review
- Ocean Hunter Chameleon
- Aropec Hooded Unisex
- Henderson Camo Lycra Hotskin
- Scubapro Men’s UPF 50 Steamer
- Skyone Lycra Hooded Dive Skin
- Mares Rash Guard Top
- Mares Pure Instinct Rash Guard Bottom
- Neosport Unisex Sports Skin
- Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Hooded Top
- Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Farmer John
- Best Use: spearfishing
- Material: super stretch lycra
- Style: full suit, thumb loops, and foot stirrups, SupraTex knee pads, rear zip with Velcro closure and comfortable neoprene neck, neoprene loading pad, flatlock stitching
- Colors: dual camo
- Women’s Version: not available
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Pros: high-quality construction and design with spearfishing in mind
Cons: a touch expensive, but reasonable for all the specialized features
- Best Use: scuba and freediving
- Material: super stretch lycra
- Style: full suit with hood, thumb loops, and foot stirrups, front zipper with flap on the inside to cover the zipper preventing abrasion
- Colors: black with blue sleeves
- Women’s Version: unisex
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Pros: good UV protection for the head as well as the rest of the body, easy on and off
Cons: let me know
- Best Use: scuba and freediving
- Material: premium grade lycra
- Style: full suit, thumb loops, and foot stirrups, front zipper, durable overlock stitching
- Colors: blue, camo, and free dive
- Women’s Version: unisex
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$
Pros: top brand name, good UV protection, favorite of photographers and budget spearfishermen
Cons: the sizing runs to the small side for some divers
- Best Use: scuba and freediving
- Material: high-quality nylon spandex
- Style: full suit, form-fitting, thumb loops, and foot stirrups, YKK back zipper with a flush guard, high neckline for decreased chafing, multiple sizes
- Colors: Aegian (blue/light blue), graphite
- Women’s Version: available
- Rating: 5
- Price: $$
Pros: comfortable and durable polyester, good UV protection, dries quickly, stylish look
Cons: a little pricy
- Best Use: scuba and freediving
- Material: lycra spandex
- Style: full suit with a hood on men’s model, thumb loops and foot stirrups, front zipper, multiple sizes, UPF 50 protection
- Colors: women’s blue and men’s hooded blue
- Women’s Version: available
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $
Pros: low-priced, good quality suit
Cons: sizing can be off a bit, but the seller will replace
- Best Use: spearfishing (as part of a set with the bottom below)
- Material: Lycra
- Style: pullover top, multiple sizes, UV and stinger protection, loading pad for spearfishing
- Colors: green or blue camo
- Women’s Version: unisex
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $
Pros: comfortable, set up for spearfishing
Cons: a little expensive, especially when combined with the bottom
Mares Pure Instinct Lycra Rash Guard Bottom
- Best Use: spearfishing (as a part of a set with the top above)
- Material: Lycra
- Style: pull-on bottom, ankle straps, tied waistband, UV protection
- Colors: green camo, brown camo, brown
- Women’s Version: unisex
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $
Pros: comfortable, set up for spearfishing
Cons: a little expensive, especially when combined with the top
- Best Use: scuba and freediving
- Material: lycra spandex
- Style: full suit, thumb loops, and foot stirrups, anatomical cut, long front #10 YKK zipper, multiple sizes, over lock-stitched seams and rolled edges, internal key pocket, machine washable, UPF 50+ protection
- Colors: black or black with blue, lavender, purple, or yellow trim
- Women’s Version: unisex
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $
Pros: moderately priced, good quality, comfortable suit, easy on and off
Cons: let me know
Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Hooded Top
- Best Use: spearfishing (as a set with the farmer john below)
- Material: 4-way stretch Impermeaflex lycra spandex
- Style: pullover hooded top, slip-resistant, raglan sleeve construction, cushioned loading chest pad, thumb connectors on the wrist cuffs, added protection on the bottom and back arm panels, Velcro connection at the padded beaver tail, UV protection
- Colors: Digi-Tek camo
- Women’s Version: not available
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$
Pros: good set-up for spearfishing
Cons: expensive as a set
Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Farmer John
- Best Use: spearfishing (as a set with the top above)
- Material: 4-way stretch Impermeaflex lycra spandex
- Style: farmer john, added protection on the shins, flexible foot bands, UV protection
- Colors: Digi-Tek camo
- Women’s Version: not available
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$
Pros: good set-up for spearfishing
Cons: expensive as a set
Lycra Dive Skin Comparison Table
| Picture | Dive Skin | Good For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Ocean Hunter Chameleon | Spearfishing | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Aropec Hooded Unisex | Scuba & Freediving | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Henderson Camo Lycra Hotskin | Scuba & Freediving | 5 | $$ |
  | Scubapro Men's UPF 50 Steamer | Scuba & Freediving | 5 | $$ |
  | Skyone Lycra Dive Skin | Scuba & Freediving | 4.5 | $ |
  | Mares Lycra Rash Guard Top | Spearfishing | 4.7 | $ |
  | Mares Pure Instinct Lycra Rash Guard Bottom | Spearfishing | 4.7 | $ |
  | Neosport Unisex Sports Skin | Scuba & Freediving | 4.6 | $ |
  | Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Hooded Top | Spearfishing | 4.8 | $$$ |
 | Riffe Digi-Tek Lycra Farmer John | Spearfishing | 4.8 | $$ |
Here are some other popular reviews regarding exposure protection:
- Best Spearfishing Wetsuits
- Best Scuba Diving Wetsuit Reviews
- Best Scuba Diving Wetsuits Buying Guide
- Top 10 Drysuits Compared and Reviewed
- Best Scuba Drysuit Buying Guide
- Best Drysuit Undergarments
Feedback and Comments
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