Spearfishing wetsuit, which exterior is best

    I often see questions about which kind of wetsuit is most suitable for spearfishing, more specifically about which wetsuit exterior is best. Also I got a couple of emails recently praising the Speardiver wetsuit's durability, which prompted me to do this writeup.


    The two spearfishing wetsuit exteriors you'll find are: lined, and rubber. By the way Neoprene is a synthetic blown rubber, which is rubber containing many tiny air bubbles, and has excellent insulating qualities. Wetsuits with a rubber exterior simply have the material from which they are constructed ie. neoprene exposed on the outside. Such wetsuits go by exotic names depending on the manufacturer, like:


    Smoothskin or Smooth skin
    Slickskin or Slick skin
    Slick
    Sharkskin or Shark skin
    Smooth neoprene


    I'm sure there are other names for it and if I find them I'll add them to the list. With all of them the outside facing surface of the neoprene from which the suit is made, has been processed to be smooth. The processing does not make the surface any more durable than the inside. This is what a rubber exterior suit looks like, although nowadays it can have colored patterns including camouflage. These patterns are painted on no differently than if you were to take acrylic paint, and sponge it on to the wetsuit exterior.



    A small advantage of a smooth rubber exterior is that the suit is more hydrodynamic than a lined exterior suit whose porous material creates a miniscule amount of drag. Another difference is that when out of the water the rubber exterior suit doesn't cool down when exposed to wind, as a lined exterior suit does when the water trapped in its porous material evaporates. To me that's not really an advantage, first because the cooling effect is small, and because when out of the water on a hot day wearing the suit I want it to cool down anyways. On a really cold day on a boat I'll just throw on a wind breaker.


    The obvious disadvantage of the rubber exterior suit is that it's EXTREMELY sensitive to tears. So sensitive that no smooth skin wetsuit manufacturer will warranty the suit against any kind of tear other than seam failure. Forget about putting your knees on the reef as you're lying in wait for a fish, or getting on a boat seal style if the gunwale is not free and clear of anything that could snag the wetsuit. The smooth soft surface of a rubber exterior suit has a spongy grabby quality (even more so when the suit is dry) that lends itself particularly well to being snagged on the smallest protruding object. Once it's snagged a tear right through the suit is guaranteed.


    With an exterior lined suit, nylon or Lycra is glued on the neoprene. Lycra being the best because it's more stretchy than nylon which translates into a more comfortable suit. The lining allows color patterns such as camouflage to be added to wetsuit.


    Speardiver Predator wetsuit


    The outer lining adds great durability to the suit. There are big differences in the lining's resistance to abrasion and cuts, and color fastness, depending on the manufacturer. Consider the following emails from two different Speardiver wetsuit owners. If this had been a rubber exterior wetsuit in those conditions it would've been shredded, and the diver probably cut.
    1st email.

    Quote

    These were my first abs of the season this year. I will definatley have better quality pics and bigger abs within the next couple of weeks. The suit is great. I have friends with omer and esclapez and so on, and they already have rips and tears in them from diving up on the Norhtcoast. I have entered and exited the water over rugged rocks and my friend with an omer entered and exited the same spot and tore his. Im heading to maui in june and I am definatley going to buy the 3mm Bluewater wetsuit.

    2nd email.

    Quote

    I forgot to tell you about an incident I had. I was hunting near some rocks and a huge wave came over me and knocked me into them. I ended up getting tossed all over some really sharp rocks. I was in a lot of pain, so I was sure the suit was ripped, but when I took it off, I could barely see any damage. I can see some very small tears in the nylon if I stretch the suit, but the tears don't go through the neoprene. Unstretched, I can barely see any damage. This is amazing because I ended up with multiple scrapes and bruises, a lot of which actually broke skin. I'm still bruised in some spots.

    In conclusion smooth rubber exterior wetsuits have a place, for competitive freedivers and swimmers, but are not a good choice for spearfishing because they're extremely sensitive to tears. Unless you're very experienced with smooth skin suits, and are diving in conditions where contact with anything can be minimized to zero, you're guaranteed to tear the suit.


    All Speardiver wetsuits are made for spearfishing, with very durable Lycra outer lining and effective camouflage patterns. They are available from www.FreediveStore.com

    very cool Dan..I can add that the exterior of the Speardiver suits is very tough stuff..I had my suit grab a j hook on my kayak as I did a re-entry and it must have pulled a good 6 inches..I was horrified as it happened and immediatly inspected the pulled area fearing the worst and I saw ZERO evidence of any damage, inside or out.


    the second test came as I was pulling myself up "seal style" overthe gunnal of a boat and felt a snag followed by a tearing sound...again, fearing the worst I looked to see that there was a partially exposed screw head I had just slid over...it dragged against the suit and fortunately did not make any damage at all.


    additionally the knee and arm pads handle real reef abuse very very well



    edit- i have also seen the smooth suits referred to as "open cell outside"

    i like to spear fish

    Dan,


    You are talking (writing) from your perspective, and from there, you are almost totally right. However, a smoothskin wetsuit has its place in spearfishing and from my little experience, I will try to tell it here:


    A "chicle" or open cell/smooth skin wetsuit will ALWAYS be more comfortable than a lined suit. There are no questions about it. Especially when you go to thicker versions for colder waters. That's why you don't feel the need, because in South Florida you can get away with 3 mm during the cold season and a rashguard when its warmer.


    Also, in colder weather, it is very important that the suit dries faster and doesn't cool down when exposed to wind.


    In colder water, you must go to a thicker neoprene, sometimes up to 8 mm, and wearing a 8 mm lined wetsuit is a nightmare as you move like a robot.


    On the other hand, there's no doubt that they are more delicate and less durable. It is normal to tear a smoot skin wetsuit, but it is very easily repairable. Thicker neoprene is less prone to tear, so again, one point to smooth skin with colder weather.


    Direct sunlight tend to crack the exterior of the neoprene. Camouflage paint protects it somehow, but sooner than later, it will crack. I have had 3 smooth skin wetsuits (One of them "sandwich") and all lasted like 2-3 years, which is not bad, but a lined wetsuit lasts maybe 4-5 years and costs less.


    In Europe everybody swears for smooth sking wetsuits when colder season comes and if you are willing to sell your products all over the US, maybe it would be good to add those to your offering, especially for 5 mm and up.


    I remember just a couple years ago, nobody in the US used open cell wetsuits. Nowadays, whoever tried one, doesn't want to go back to double lined ones.


    If money wasn't an issue and I could change my wetsuit every year, I would wear a smoothskin every day over a lined wetsuit.


    Just my 2c. ;)

    Marco Melis

    A bad day fishing is ALWAYS better than a good day at work.

    First, we do use 5mm suits in south Florida in winter.


    Your point about a lined suit becoming less stretchy and consequently less comfortable is valid when both inside and outside are lined. The Lycra used in Speardiver wetsuits is very stretchy and takes very little away from the stretch of the neoprene,also it's only on the outside of the suit. Ask anyone who's using a Speardiver wetsuit if they think a wetsuit can get any more comfortable. The 5mm suit feels almost the same as the 3mm if the correct size is selected. 7mm is going to be stiff no matter how you slice it, so it's not the fault of the lining. The guys who do use 7mm suits in the US as a rule are diving in conditions that would be too rough for a smooth cell exterior suit.


    Thank you for the suggestion to add smooth cell exterior suits to the line. I've considered it before, as my goal is to offer a complete line, even gear that's used by very few but is necessary. I don't think %99 of US spearos would like it after they damage it. The %1 that are willing to pay the higher price, be very aware and careful with the suit, and not complain when it does tear, I'm not sure can justify production of smooth skin suits.

    Marco,


    I have tried the polosub forza suit (sandwich material)? I am really impressed by its warmth, flexibility and durability. The 3.5mm polosub is too warm for Florida waters most of the year. But when it gets real cold, that suit is coming out. Davie tried my top and said, "wow it's whale blubber" and the suit was loose on him. I love Dan suits and they are perfect for Florida. They are super comfortable, inexpensive, and durable. But, if I were to buy a super warm suit for cold waters, i would buy that Polosub forza.


    I wear a Speardiver suit 85% of the year.


    I also do think the material that is smoothskin outside and inside(not the sandwich material) is too fragile for spearfishing.

    Harry, you haven't tried on a Speardiver 5mm, it feels the same as the 3mm. Another thing is I'd like to measure the polosub thickness with calipers. If it's significantly warmer than the 3mm then it will be thicker than the stated 3.5mm.

    Good write up Dan, and I really like your Camo and Colors.


    I'd have to agree that SmoothSkin Outer Wetsuits are not the Ideal for most Spearfishermen and certainly not for beginner divers. However, there are few things worth noting about them. A Good Chicle Suit, ie Open Cell/SmoothSkin is extremely Flexible. Sure, it will tear easier, come apart at the seams, and wear out sooner, but there are divers out there who will repair their suits with a smile for the Flexibility and Warmth of a Chicle Suit. Why did I put Warmth...


    There are several different grades of Outer Nylon which can be used. Regular Nylon is almost See through, and doesn't have the Ultra flexibility. There's all sorts of mixes which can be used for an Outer Lined Suit from UltraThin Super Flexible Nylons which are normall used on the inside of a Suit, to Nylon, to UltraStretch Nylons, to the Heavier, UltraFlexible, more durable Ultraspans, and Lycras. Here's the catch.. The better quality the outer lining of a Suit is.. ie Lycra or Ultraspan, the heavier it is, the more Water it retains.. I know.. some companies will tell you they use Hydrophobic Lycras.. but anyways, the more Water these retain, the more evaporation that takes place once you get out of the water, get into your Zodiac, and cruise to the next spot.. This is where Chicle and Smoothskin Outer Suits Excel.. This is why these materials are used for the Chest and Back panels of most Surfing Wetsuits. So, if you are a boat diver.. who dives in multiple locations, does drifts, etc.. in areas where you need a 3mm or more who frequently gets cold once on the boat.. then a Smoothskin Outer or Smoothskin Combo Suit is a good match for you. That's one big reason why these suits are so popular in Europe. For me, in the Tropics, where getting in and out of the Water always involves literally getting dragged, rolled, and smudged against Sharp Coral in Big Nasty Surf.. I go for suits that have the most durable outer skins, ie Ultraspan or Lycra, whatever you want to call it.

    As long as the exterior of the suits is red you will never have to worry about all this other stuff... Just saying!!

    Quote from Dan

    Harry, you haven't tried on a Speardiver 5mm, it feels the same as the 3mm. Another thing is I'd like to measure the polosub thickness with calipers. If it's significantly warmer than the 3mm then it will be thicker than the stated 3.5mm.


    ill bring it over. Water does not hold in the suit. I don't think the thickness matters as regular suits retain some water and when the wind hits them, you feel the evaporating effect.


    Maybe Davie can give an unbiased opinion.


    But like i said, i use the pursuit suit mostly all year. Its just when it gets real cold out, i pull out the polosub.

    Quote from behslayer

    Good write up Dan, and I really like your Camo and Colors.


    I'd have to agree that SmoothSkin Outer Wetsuits are not the Ideal for most Spearfishermen and certainly not for beginner divers. However, there are few things worth noting about them. A Good Chicle Suit, ie Open Cell/SmoothSkin is extremely Flexible. Sure, it will tear easier, come apart at the seams, and wear out sooner, but there are divers out there who will repair their suits with a smile for the Flexibility and Warmth of a Chicle Suit. Why did I put Warmth...


    The Speardiver suits are as comfortable as they get. It already feels like you aren't wearing anything.

    If you take a look at what does Carbonell, Bellani, March, Viña, Costa, Gospic and other sponsorized champios use, you'll see what I'm talking about. Wearing a good quality chicle is like diving naked. Must try to realize it.


    Harry: there are meny different neoprene qualities (I'm sure you know it). A Yamamoto will tear just by looking at it, but Daiwabo or Heiwa MD will be much more robust.


    I use lined suits myself. ;)

    Marco Melis

    A bad day fishing is ALWAYS better than a good day at work.

    Quote from Marco

    If you take a look at what does Carbonell, Bellani, March, Viña, Costa, Gospic and other sponsorized champios use, you'll see what I'm talking about. Wearing a good quality chicle is like diving naked. Must try to realize it.


    Harry: there are meny different neoprene qualities (I'm sure you know it). A Yamamoto will tear just by looking at it, but Daiwabo or Heiwa MD will be much more robust.


    I use lined suits myself. ;)


    When i took the PFI class a while ago, i saw this kid put on a brand new freediving suit and the lower part of the leg practically split in half. It was so painful to watch because those suits are expensive. He was like, I will just glue it... I was like damn, thats a lot of glue.

    I have a cressi Technica 3.5mm open cell suit, it is smooth on the inside and i have had it stick together a number of times when in storage (in my w/robe out of any sunlight/heat), it has torn a few small chunks out of it on the inside when un-sticking it. When i bought the suit i looked at the Cressi smoothskin suits but they were all stuck together on the outside to each other in the shop and tore when pulled apart. Has anyone else had this problem with open cell wetsuits and how does one stop it from happening.


    Jono

    Quote from Jono

    I have a cressi Technica 3.5mm open cell suit, it is smooth on the inside and i have had it stick together a number of times when in storage (in my w/robe out of any sunlight/heat), it has torn a few small chunks out of it on the inside when un-sticking it. When i bought the suit i looked at the Cressi smoothskin suits but they were all stuck together on the outside to each other in the shop and tore when pulled apart. Has anyone else had this problem with open cell wetsuits and how does one stop it from happening.


    Jono


    I also have the technica, the newer one. It has stuck once while driving down to Mexico in 90 degree heat, with gear loaded on it. I was lucky it didn't tear though. Now for protection I put my towel in the farmer johns and put the top over the farmer johns as if I was wearing it. Never had it stick after that, so I guess it works.


    I wonder if left over suit slip and/or water could be to blame.

    Long Beach Neptune


    USCG 50GT

    As you can imagine I have many suits stored. I've never had a suit interior stick to itself with more force than what would be described as suction. I had one customer tell me about the open cell interior of his pants sticking, after using and storing it. But if I remember correctly the suit wasn't well stuck, he asked me about it more as a precaution before separating it, and it came apart without any damage. I also handled many of my suits after being used, and never seen anything even close to sticking. I have to assume that when the suit was used some substance was left inside that caused the sticking.

    Quote from Jono

    I have a cressi Technica 3.5mm open cell suit, it is smooth on the inside and i have had it stick together a number of times when in storage (in my w/robe out of any sunlight/heat), it has torn a few small chunks out of it on the inside when un-sticking it. When i bought the suit i looked at the Cressi smoothskin suits but they were all stuck together on the outside to each other in the shop and tore when pulled apart. Has anyone else had this problem with open cell wetsuits and how does one stop it from happening.


    Jono


    I know this problem.


    When you dry a wetsuit, you hang it the first day and then the next day you flip it inside out to dry. If you leave the wet rubber touching each side for a long time, the moisture acts like a glue.

    I do the reverse. I rinse the suit inside out/open cell out first, and let dry completely. Then turn right side out/lined side out and let dry. Sometimes I don't even bother letting the lining dry completely, it will dry stored and will not adversely affect the suit.

    I rinse my suit out after every time and leave out to dry but will try turning inside out and see if that helps, i guess it could be residue of water and lube that makes it stick.

    this is a good discussion, i've heavily considered and openncell on the outside suit. I think the bottom line,though, is im just too clumsy, and i just nestle into the reef too often to pull it off. where im used to diving, u rarely drop on fish, u have to wedge in and wait.

    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member to leave a comment.

Register a new account
Sign in now