Wetsuit

The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit to Buy in 2023

Posted on by Max Kelley
the best wetsuit for spearfishing
22
Apr

Growing up on the beaches of Australia, we had great summers – but without the best spearfishing wetsuit your dives are going to be short lived.

In the water, your wetsuit acts like a protective second skin. Helping to regulate your temperature and keep you warm and comfortable no matter how many hours you spend in the water, while also keeping the sun off your back.

Your wetsuit also protects you from everything else in the water, whether that’s the stingers on a jellyfish, the scales and edges on the fish you catch, or if you happen to get a little close to the reef. I can’t tell you the amount of scrapes and cuts my spearfishing wetsuit has saved me from. Though the wear and tear suggests it’s a lot.

In this buyers guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know when choosing a spearfishing wetsuit. But if you’re just here for a recommendation, get your hands on the Salvimar N.A.T. wetsuit. Combine the camo print with a great fit, and you’ve got a winner. Click here to get yours now.

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The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit to Buy in 2023

 

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Picking the best spearfishing wetsuit doesn’t need to be a tough decision. Click the link below and get my favorite from Salvimar.

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What You Need to Know When Choosing A Spearfishing Wetsuit

With the range of different conditions that people spearfish in, there are a few different considerations to make with your spearfishing wetsuit. I’ll explain each of these in greater detail in this review, but for starters you need to think about:

  1. The thickness: How much protection do you need against cold water?
  2. The style: Do you want a one-piece (surfer) or two piece (farmer John) design?
  3. The material: Will you go with an open or closed cell material in your wetsuit?
  4. The fit: Does your wetsuit fit comfortably to your body shape?

Each of us will have different needs in choosing a wetsuit, but for me spearfishing on the East Coast of Australia, here’s my go-to choice.

 

Salvimar N.A.T. 3.5mm Two Piece Spearfishing Wetsuit

Editor’s Choice for the Best Overall Spearfishing Wetsuit

I’m a big fan of Salvimar for their spearfishing wetsuits, and for good reason. They’re tough, with a very high attention to detail in the little things like the stitching.

You get two pieces in this wetsuit set, a set of high waist paints and a beaver-tail cut top, which has a clip to attach and secure everything in place.

Being open cell, Salvimar’s designed the inside to be stitch free, and it’s stretchy, smooth and comfortable to wear, more so than most of the other wetsuits that I’ve tried for this buying guide. With a little conditioner mixed with water, the wetsuit easily slides on and off. Plus, the 3.5mm thickness is ideal for the water temperatures I typically dive.

I love the green shades of camo in this wetsuit, and the hood is a nice touch to keep the back of my neck from burning in the sun.

Why we think Salvimar make the best wetsuit for spearfishing:

  • Reinforced chest and knees with PuffGum padding to prevent wear and tear
  • Glued and blind-stitched seams for maximum durability with your wetsuit
  • Two clip beaver tail to keep the jacket firmly in place while staying comfortable
  • Additional give in the NAT neoprene (1mm stretch to 2mm) to help wetsuit fit skin tight
  • The camouflage green matches the seaweed and colors of the areas I spearfish

Click the product box below to order yours today.

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Salvimar Seawalker Women’s 3.5mm Spearfishing Wetsuit

Wife’s Choice: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

Requiring a sightly different fit, my wife loves both the color and fit of the 3.5mm Seawalker two piece wetsuit from Salvimar.

Featuring high waist trousers with a hooded jacket, the top stays in place thanks to the beavertail seal. But where this wetsuit really stands out is the stretch, comfort, and easy wearability. Inside, you’ve got Salvimar’s Q-FOAM open cell neoprene, protected on the outside with the ultra-elastic Salvimar Camo print. On the seams, the double GBS cross seams are strong and durable, and this has already held up for months and months.

It’s the colors that really sold it for her though, the blue came is just pretty.

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MAKO Spearguns Spearfishing Wetsuit 3D Yamamoto Reef Camo

Top of the Line: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

Using the finest quality Yamamoto neoprene in the world, Mako Spearguns have put together one of the absolute best spearfishing wetsuits you can buy.

The difference is in the stretch. Yamamoto neoprene allows up to 30% more stretch than competing products, which means you’ve got more maneuverability in the water, it’s easier to reach a full chest expansion, and you simply get a better fitting wetsuit. If you’re serious about spearfishing, get this wetsuit.

Available with both high waist or Farmer John’s style pants, the beavertail ensures your jacket will stay in place.

For me though, it’s the sewn-in padding on the chest and knees that make this one of the most durable spearfishing wetsuits. While small details like the wrist and ankle cuffs to keep the cold water out, or the built-in knife pocket show just how much thought has gone into this design.

[amazon box=”B0713M8KGK” ]

 

Cressi Spearfishing One-Piece Wetsuit with Loading Chest Pad

Best for Beginners: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

Getting into (and out of) this one piece wetsuit from Cressi is far easier, and it’s a great buy for beginners who are learning to spearfish.

The soft 3mm neoprene is highly flexible and gives you a great range of motion while you’re spearfishing. The Dura Stretch nylon lining is durable, without compromising your movements. Printed with a unique Tokugawa camouflage, that’s suitable for both open water freediving, and the greener tones you’ll find in rocky, seaweed environments.

For me, I liked the cut of this wetsuit. It felt like there was room in all the right places.

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Salvimar N.A.T. 5.5mm Two Piece Spearfishing Wetsuit

Best for Professionals: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

You know, it’s hard to beat this wetsuit from Salvimar, it just ticks all the boxes for me. So it makes sense that I’d recommend something similar for those spearfishing professionally.

My personal favorite is this same wetsuit at 3.5mm, if you’re a professional spending hours and hours in the water, you really need to treat yourself to this 5.5mm version. What’s nice though is that it feels super lightweight to wear, though you might need your buddy to help you get it off at the end of your dive!

Oh, and make sure you order a size a little larger than you’d normally get, as Salvimar wetsuits tend to run a little small.

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Myledi Neoprene Mens 3mm Super Stretch Camouflage Wetsuit

Best Cheap Option: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this cheap spearfishing wetsuit, as it’s remarkably good value for money.

The 3mm neoprene will keep you warm in the water, it’s SCR laminating inside with spandex covered outside for good flexibility and comfort. Personally I found the arms and thighs to be a little loose in the fit. Not big enough to be a problem at this price, but the fit could be slightly better.

You’ve got three different prints to choose from, as well as additional padding on the chest and knees. It’s a great deal at these prices.

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Mako Spearguns Spearfishing Wetsuit 3D Yamamoto Reef Camo 7mm

Best for Cold Water: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

For anyone spearfishing in water between 4 and 20 degrees (39°F to 68°F), you need at least a 7mm wetsuit in order to stay warm.

Because this is actually remarkably thick (and with Farmer John’s cut that’s two layers of neoprene over your chest), it’s important that you get a wetsuit that’s flexible and comfortable to wear. In all the testing we did, Mako Spearguns’ 3D Yamamoto Reef Camo was the clear winner for cold water spearfishing.

The integrated ergonomic hood seals great around your face, and the tighter wrist and ankle cuffs help keep that colder water out.

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SEAC One-Piece Camouflage 1.5 mm Neoprene Spearfishing Wetsuit

Best for Warm Water: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

When you’re spearfishing in the tropics, or any water above 26 degrees (79°F+), you need to get a thin and lightweight wetsuit to avoid overheating.

Built from 1.5mm double lined neoprene, this wetsuit from SEAC is a smart buy. Constructed in one single piece like a surfing wetsuit, you’ve got one single zipper up the back which makes it both comfortable to wear, while being extremely easy to take on and off.

You’ll find reinforced knees with tatex PU inserts, as well as a sternum pad to assist with reloading. In warm water, this is a great choice for a spearfishing wetsuit.

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Cressi Camouflage Rash Guard + Patterned Pants

Best for Sun/Stinger Protection: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

Now, depending on the conditions you’re spearfishing in, you may not even need a wetsuit. In the far north of Queensland, the water will often sit at 30 degrees (86°F) during summer, which means that even a 1.5mm wetsuit is far too thick.

We get up into the tropics quite a bit, and there’s two reasons you want to keep yourself covered up.

For the sun, long days in the water burns the back of my legs to a crisp, so I’ve started wearing a full rash suit in order to stay protected even when the sunscreen wears off. It’s also important to protect against stingers, as jellyfish do become a problem in this part of the world too. So diving with a rash guard is your best bet.

Cressi make a great camouflage option, with both a hooded and crew neck cut. The padded chest piece helps protect against bruising during reloads, and the 80% nylon 20% spandex blend ensures this is comfortable and easily adapts to the shape of your body.

I like the pants because of the drawstring close, they stay in place throughout your dive. The knee pads are a good addition too, as these are usually the first part to tear through.

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Thoughts on the other spearfishing wetsuits we tested

Of course, there are so many different brands that make great wetsuits, it can be hard to know what’s best for you. You might even be considering to get your spearfishing wetsuit from a different brand, so I’d like to share my thoughts on all the others that we tested as part of this review.

getting the best spearfishing wetsuits

 

Cressi Tracina Hunter Spearfishing Wetsuit

Shortlist: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

For a top of the line spearfishing wetsuit, this particular model from Cressi is another smart buy. Manufactured with super soft open cell neoprene, it’s both flexible to get on and comfortable to wear in the water. With the anatomical design cut, I found it was a great fit and the camouflage design helps you go unnoticed in the water.

Built as a two-piece suit, the jacket, hood and calves feature nylon mimetic zones to boost the comfort of the wetsuit even more. On the wrists, hood and ankles, the smoothskin watertight seals ensure you get a great seal so water doesn’t flood through. Plus, the knees, shin and elbows are all reinforced against wear and tear.

[amazon box=”B017WWUDLY” ]

 

Riffe Digi-Tek Slimfit Spearfishing Wetsuit

Shortlist: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

One of my favourite spearfishing brands is Riffe, and I had to add their Digi-Tek wetsuits to this buying exercise. With glued and blind stiched seams, you can feel the quality of this particular spearfishing wetsuit. But what’s nice is that it’s available in both an original and slim fit version, in case you have difficulty getting the fit right.

On the chest you’ve got the padded loading pad, while the knees are reinforced as well.

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O’Neill Rector II Spearfishing Wetsuit

Shortlist: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

Another cheaper option if you’re wanting a versatile wetsuit for both surfing and spearfishing is the Reactor II from O’Neill. With a surfer style zippered close on the back, this neoprene suit isn’t 100% open cell but features these sections only on the chest and back. So it’s very easy to get in and out of.

Extended knee pads make this a durable wetsuit, which is flatloc stitched to overlap the neoprene panels and give it both maximum flexibility and stretch strength.

[amazon box=”B0757HXH2Q” ]

 

Salvimar Atlantis Spearfishing Wetsuit

Shortlist: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

For 1.5mm this isn’t a wetsuit you’d use in particularly cold conditions, but the design is great for open water spearfishing in the tropics. Constructed as a surfer designed one-piece wetsuit, the zippered back makes it incredibly easy to wear. Plus, the neoprene is incredibly stretchy.

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SEAC Pirana Spearfishing Wetsuit

Shortlist: The Best Spearfishing Wetsuit

The two-piece design of this spearfishing wetsuit offers a hooded jacket and high waisted pants. Manufactured by SEAC, one of the premier spearfishing brands, they have a unique camouflage design that lends well to rocky and weedy areas you might be spearfishing in ambush. Closing with a velcro beavertail.

What I like is the padded protection across the knees, elbows and your lower back, along with a 7mm supratex chest guard for easy loading of your spearguns.

[amazon box=”B06XG5HJMN” ]

getting ready to spearfish in the best wetsuit

How we tested these spearfishing wetsuits

Ranking the best spearfishing wetsuit wasn’t an easy task, as many people have their own personal preferences, as well as different needs depending on the water temperatures they’re diving in. What we’ve done is to try and put together a roundup of the best spearfishing wetsuits, based on our own experience (using each of the wetsuits we’ve reviewed), and making a recommendation based on our own opinions.

 

Why do we need a wetsuit for spearfishing?

If you’re not comfortable when you’re spearfishing, you’re going to have a bad time. And one of the most important factors to a good spearfishing adventure is staying warm. You see, water is an excellent conductor of heat. So much so that it strips your body of warmth four times faster than the air.

Ever wonder why it’s so nice to jump in the sea on a hot summer’s day? The ocean cools you right down. But it’s not always a good thing. Over time, the constant drain of your body’s warmth can lead to hypothermia. Your options? Just get a wetsuit before you go spearfishing. It’s a key piece of spearfishing gear.

 

What sort of thickness should my wetsuit be?

A lot of this depends on personal preference, for me, I tend to get cold easily so I normally have a thicker wetsuit than all of my dive buddies. The thicker your wetsuit is, the better you’ll be insulated from the cold water. If you’re spearfishing in colder waters, you’ll need a thicker wetsuit.

Generally, here’s what you should be thinking about:

  • Above 86 degrees (30°C), you likely only need a rash guard to protect from the sun
  • From about 80 to 86 degrees (26°C to 30°C), you probably need a 1.5mm wetsuit (at most).
  • From about 75 to 80 degrees (24°C to 26°C), you probably need a 3mm wetsuit.
  • From about 65 to 75 degrees (18°C to 24°C), you probably need a 5mm wetsuit.
  • Anything below 65 degrees (18°C), you’re looking at 7mm (or more) for your wetsuit.

 

What style of spearfishing wetsuit should I choose?

Wetsuits come in two different styles, which we classify as a one-piece or two-piece spearfishing wetsuit.

If you’re looking at an all-in one, or a one-piece wetsuit, this is what you’ll normally see the surfers or scuba divers wear. It’s easier to get in and out of, and has a zipper running up the back to pull it closed. These are what I first used when I started spearfishing, but they’re not quite as flexible as other types, and they also lack a hood.

What you’ll see most people who spearfish wear is a two-piece wetsuit. That is, a combination of trousers, and a jacket. You’ve plenty of options like incorporated hoods, or trousers that stop at the waist or continue up like a pair of overalls. One-piece options aren’t as popular in the spearfishing community.

The most popular style of spearfishing wetsuit is the Farmer John (sometimes called Long John), which is a pair of pants that look like overalls. These go on first, before the jacket is pulled down over the top. This style of spearfishing wetsuit offers twice as much protection for your core, keeping you warmer while you’re spearfishing.

 

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What material is my spearfishing wetsuit made from?

Spearfishing wetsuits are made from neoprene, but not all neoprene is created equal.

There are different grades, which should factor into your decision when buying a wetsuit for spearfishing. Cheap wetsuits will often use a more inferior grade that will break down quicker, while a spearfishing wetsuit like Mako’s 3D Yamamoto Reef contains is made from top of the line products.

But really, what you want understand is if it’s an open-cell or closed-cell neoprene in your spearfishing wetsuit. Generally, open cell wetsuits are more flexible, will keep you warmer in the water, and will often come at a higher price point than their closed-cell counterparts. But the difference is simple.

Open cell wetsuits leave the interior side of the neoprene exposed, instead of covering it in a layer of polyester or silicone.

This helps the open cell wetsuit sit closer to your skin, allowing only a thin layer of water to seep in. Closed cell wetsuits don’t sit as close, so they allow more water inside, which takes more of your body heat to warm. In short, open cell wetsuits make it easier for your body to stay warm while you’re spearfishing.

You do need to be careful though. The open-cell neoprene used on spearfishing wetsuits is also fragile, much more so than what’s used on closed-cell scuba and surfing wetsuits. It’s been designed like this to ensure you’ve maximum maneuverability when you’re underwater, which is perfect for spearfishing.

 

What fit should I look for in my wetsuit?

Getting a wetsuit that actually fits you is critical.

  • Too tight, and it’ll be impossible to wear, and you’ll also lose flexibility in the water.
  • Too loose, and it won’t seal properly so water will flood through and you’ll be cold.

If you’ve never really got this right, you might want to visit your local dive shop to try on some of the different sizes. You want it to fit snug, especially around your shoulders, without being so tight that you feel like you’re losing circulation. Make sure you’re comfortable moving around with the wetsuit on, and it’s not tight in places like your armpits or groin.

Conversely, it’s also important that it is a snug fit. If there are too many extra folds, or you’ve got loose space that air can flow in, this is a sign the wetsuit is too big. Because water will flood into these spaces, and it won’t keep you warm. I also like wearing a wetsuit with a hood, so make sure that it slides on well and is comfortable around your face and neck.

It’s also important to measure yourself, and then compare your size needs to the manufacturers size charts. Each manufacturer will have a slightly different cut, and while spearfishing wetsuits are flexible, it’s important to make sure you’re getting a good fit.

 

How do I wear my spearfishing wetsuit?

If you’ve never done it before, actually donning an open cell spearfishing wetsuit can be quite a challenge. You need to take care to avoid tearing the suit, but you also don’t want to get stuck halfway. And neoprene is insanely sticky. I almost had a claustrophobic fit the first time I tried to get out of my first open-cell wetsuit.

What you need is a lubricant. A little conditioner mixed with water is solution that a lot of people recommend, or you could always buy a purpose-built product for the job. I prefer this as it stops my entire wetsuit from smelling like a hair commercial. The lubricant makes a world of difference, and I doubt you’d even get an open cell wetsuit on without it.

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Wait, why do I need a camo wetsuit?

You’ve probably noticed by now that almost all spearfishing wetsuits these days have a camouflage print. Many people will tell you it simply doesn’t matter what your wetsuit looks like, (and for the most part I agree with them), because your real success spearfishing relies on your ability to stalk and shoot the fish underwater.

But what a camo print on your wetsuit does is break up your outline. This can help you to stay unseen for longer, so any curious fish swim a little closer before they get spooked. Especially in open water, it’s a good idea to go for a camo print. It’s also way cooler.

 

Choosing the best spearfishing wetsuit

When it all comes down to it the biggest factors you need to consider when buying a wetsuit for spearfishing are the thickness you need to stay warm when you’re spearfishing, the style of the wetsuit you’re looking to buy, and what kind of neoprene it is.

Personally, I’d recommend a Farmer John cut with a good green camo print, and I couldn’t be happier with my buy earlier this year of the Salvimar N.A.T.

[amazon box=”B00O82H46O” ]

I hope this helps you find the perfect spearfishing wetsuit, and if you’ve any questions at all drop me a line via the contact form, or leave a comment below.

Would love to talk fish!

Happy spearin’

 

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the best wetsuit for spearfishing

Max Kelley

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