If you have decided to purchase your own wetsuit but you aren’t sure about whether to choose a scuba diving wetsuit or a surfing wetsuit. 

Do you practice a type of water activity or more and are thinking about buying a thermal protection suit that has multiple purposes. In this article, we will talk about the main differences between surfing wetsuits and scuba diving wetsuits and the characteristics that distinguish them for each activity.

Characteristics of Surfing Wetsuits and Scuba Diving Wetsuits

When we compare between surfing wetsuits and scuba diving wetsuits, we will find that each type has different characteristics and features that make them the best choice for the intended activity. Let’s dive deep together to know the main differences between surfing wetsuits and scuba diving wetsuits.

Surfing Wetsuits

Surfers are practicing their activity on the water’s surface (They aren’t entirely immersed in water). This means that their bodies will stay warm for a longer time than diving, so surfing wetsuits are designed to be thinner than those for scuba diving.

Surfers also should have the ability to move all parts of the body easily, as a result of that, they don’t need only a thinner wetsuit, but also they need its material to have a much higher elasticity level.

Surfing wetsuits must also withstand the wear and tear during surfing, such as knee and elbow pads and sometimes a rubber chest layer to protect the wetsuit from surfboard abrasion while paddling.

Scuba Diving Wetsuits

The temperature of your body can be lost about 25 times faster underwater, so scuba diving wetsuits are designed to be much thicker to offer a greater insulation.

Temperature isn’t the only thing that changes underwater, as pressure changes too. Scuba diving wetsuits are also designed to deal with the changes in pressure, as they don’t compress to the same degree of a surfing wetsuit in the same situations.

Scuba diving wetsuits are designed to endure heavy-duty scuba diving equipment like weights, buckles, belts, BCDs, and backplates, which require the wetsuit to be made of sturdier and denser materials.

Are Surfing Wetsuits Ok for Scuba Diving?

As a brief answer, A surfing wetsuit isn’t suitable for scuba diving, because:

• The surfing wetsuit is made from thinner material which can’t provide the diver with the needed thermal protection while being underwater.
• A surfing wetsuit can’t withstand the pressure change while going deeper.
• The design of surfing wetsuits can’t endure the wear and tear that may happen due to scuba diving equipment.
• Surfing wetsuits aren’t designed to offer additional buoyancy like scuba diving wetsuits.

Are Scuba Diving Wetsuits Ok for Surfing?

Wearing a scuba diving wetsuit for surfing isn’t also recommended because of the following:

• A scuba diving wetsuit is made from thicker and denser material which can restrict and hinder a surfer’s movements.
• Wearing a scuba diving wetsuit requires additional effort for the surfer to move, in addition to the thicker material, will make the surfer overheat and become exhausted.
• The design of scuba diving wetsuits doesn’t include appropriate pads which are responsible for withstanding friction with the surfboard while the surfer paddles.

How Thick Should My Wetsuit Be?

You should choose the thickness of your wetsuit depending on the temperature of the water and the type of the sport you practice. Your personal preference is also a big factor, but generally we can say:

In temperate waters, a wetsuit with a 2-5 mm in thickness will be a good choice for both surfing and scuba diving.

During winter, surfers use a 3/2mm thick wetsuit, while divers prefer a wetsuit with a thickness of 4/3mm or thicker.

For colder waters, a wetsuit with 6-7mm in thickness may be good for diving, while for surfers, wearing a wetsuit with thickness of 4/3mm with gloves and booties adds extra warmth.

Choosing the Right Wetsuit

Ensure to choose the right size of the wetsuit for the activity you are practicing. After choosing your wetsuit (a scuba diving, surfing, or a freediving wetsuit) you should keep in mind some considerations, such as the temperature of the water, essential additional features for you, such as seals and zips, comfort, style, and fit.

For a scuba diver, zips on both ankles and wrists enable them to don the suit with ease, and a wetsuit with ankle, neck seals, and rubber wrist can provide extra thermal protection.

Surfing wetsuits and scuba diving wetsuits aren’t unisex. For women, it’s better to choose a women’s wetsuit, which is specially designed to best fit the female form.

It is recommended to visit your local PADI dive center or surf shop to try wetsuits before purchasing, instead of buying online. You should try different styles from different manufacturers until you decide what to buy.

When talking about fit, wetsuits are designed to have a tight fit in order to prevent water from entering and flowing out of the suit. You should choose a tight wetsuit without restricting your breathing or movement.

keep in mind that a dry wetsuit will loosen a bit in the water. If you aren’t sure about the proper fit, ask the help of the staff of the dive shop.