A good wetsuit for a spearfisherman is essential. It not only keeps you warm enabling longer periods in the water without risking hypothermia but also provides skin protection from bumps and scrapes and stingers in the water. In addition, a camouflaged suit will allow you to get a jump on your prey.
Whether you are an absolute beginner or would like to replace or upgrade your gear, the goal here is to give you some guidance on how to select the best spearfishing wetsuit for your needs and introduce some top models to consider.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of related spearfishing and freediving gear and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
Four main factors should be considered in selecting a spearfishing wetsuit:
thickness
camouflage
materials
style
Thickness
The desired thickness of a wetsuit is based on the water temperature – the colder, the thicker. The neoprene in the wetsuit can increase positive buoyancy, so it would be best not to overcompensate for the temperature. Basic guidelines are summarized in this table:
Above 28°C (82°F): 1-2.5 mm
From 20-28°C (70-82°F): 3mm
From 16-20 °C (60-70 °F) 5mm
From 10-16°C (50-60°F): 7mm
Camouflage
Camouflage coloration on wetsuits not only looks cool (to me anyway) but also serves a useful purpose. Hunters everywhere agree, if the prey can’t see you, you can get a jump on it. So if you blend into the background you have greatly enhanced your probability of getting close to your target. The colors used should be based on the environment. If you are in open water, blue is your best bet. In a rocky area, chances are brownish colors will blend in better. For divers spending time in the blue and also closer to the reef, green or blends of blue and brown may be most effective. You could even consider using camo fins to match your wetsuit.
Style
There are several styles of wetsuits in use today. The simplest is a one-piece suit called a steamer. It usually has a zipper up the back or across the chest. Scuba and surfing wetsuits are often steamers but usually lack an important loading pad on the chest desired for spearfishing. That pad provides something to brace your speargun against when you cock it so that bruising or scraping of your skin is prevented. The style that is usually preferred by spearfishermen is a two-piece outfit that includes a bottom that comes above the waist or has a suspender system known as a farmer john. A long-sleeved jacket is used over the top that may or may not include a hood. The top jacket connects to the bottom with Velcro, a zipper, or clips. Some systems overlap not requiring any fasteners.
Materials
A number of materials can be included in a wetsuit with the main component being neoprene, either closed-cell or open-cell.
Closed-cell neoprene has a coating or other material on the surface that isn’t easily permeated by water. They are usually cheaper and more suitable for warmer water. Surfing wetsuits are usually closed-cell models.
Open-cell neoprene is generally used for two-piece systems and suits designed for spearfishing. Water passes through the neoprene and forms a layer between the skin and suit. The suit needs to fit snugly enough that there is little to no water flow inside the suit. The body warms the water within and it is maintained at body temperature. This system is warmer though with the snug fit required takes more effort to put it on.
I hope you found this post on spearfishing wetsuits interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
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