Thinking of using your surf wetsuit for spearfishing or freediving?
If you’re just starting out, it’s a great way to get in the water and build confidence while you snorkel or explore the shallows. But before you take your favourite surf suit on a dive, here’s why we don’t recommend it long-term — and why a proper spearfishing wetsuit can make a big difference in comfort, warmth, and overall experience.
Here’s what you need to know…
1. Open-Cell vs Closed-Cell Neoprene: The Big Difference
Both surf and spearfishing wetsuits are made from neoprene — a rubber-like material filled with tiny air bubbles that insulate your body and provide buoyancy. But the way that neoprene is finished and lined makes a huge difference in how the wetsuit performs underwater.
Spearfishing wetsuits use open-cell neoprene, which means there’s no inner fabric lining — just the raw neoprene pressed directly against your skin. This creates millions of tiny suction points that help form a near-waterproof seal, keeping water out and warmth in. Because of this close seal, open-cell suits are sometimes referred to as semi-dry suits, offering far better insulation when you’re staying still underwater for long periods.
Surf wetsuits, on the other hand, are made with closed-cell neoprene, lined inside with nylon or polyester. This makes them tougher and easier to put on, but it also means water gets in and sits between the suit and your skin. While your body warms it up over time, the insulation isn’t as efficient — especially when you’re diving and not generating as much body heat through movement.
So while surf suits are more versatile for surface sports, open-cell suits are purpose-built for diving, keeping you warmer, longer.
2. Neoprene Compression at Depth
When you dive down, the pressure increases — and your wetsuit compresses. This means the neoprene becomes thinner, reducing its ability to trap heat.
Spearfishing suits are designed to retain their flexibility and thermal performance at depth, thanks to the structure of the open-cell neoprene. Surf wetsuits compress more noticeably and lose warmth faster because they’re made for time on the surface, not under it.
3. Thickness and Overlap for Core Warmth
Most spearfishing wetsuits come as a two-piece set: high-waisted trousers and a hooded jacket. Not only does this provide great sealing around your core and head, but there’s also a clever design feature — the two layers of neoprene overlap at your midsection, creating double insulation where you lose the most heat.
Plus, spearfishing suits are usually the same thickness throughout, offering consistent warmth across your whole body.
In contrast, surf wetsuits are often thinner in the arms and shoulders to allow for paddling flexibility, with more thickness around the chest and back. Great for surfing. Not ideal when you’re underwater and still for long stretches.
4. Fit, Flexibility, and Design: Built for the Dive
Spearfishing wetsuits are designed specifically for time spent underwater — and that shows in their fit and construction. Most are two-piece suits, made up of high-waisted trousers and a hooded jacket. This design offers excellent thermal sealing around your core and head, where you lose the most heat, and allows for a snug, custom-like fit without zips.
They’re also made from softer, stretchier neoprene, giving you maximum flexibility and comfort during long, still dives — when you’re not moving much but need to stay warm.
Surf wetsuits, by contrast, are usually one-piece suits, built to withstand the friction and movement of paddling. They’re often stiffer and less insulating, especially since many surf suits don’t include a hood — a key component for warmth in colder water. They’re great for surface action, but less suited to the slow, silent glide of diving.
5. Features: Camouflage, Padding, and Practicality
Spearfishing wetsuits often come with:
- Camo patterns to help you blend into the underwater environment
- Chest loading pads for speargun loading comfort
None of these are present in a typical surf suit — because they’re simply not needed when you’re riding waves.
So, Can I Spearfish in a Surf Wetsuit?
You can start in one — especially if the water’s warm and you’re not diving deep or staying in long — but if you’re serious about spearfishing or freediving, investing in a dedicated spearfishing wetsuit will keep you:
- Warmer
- More comfortable
- In the water longer
… and ultimately, make your diving experience far more enjoyable. We’ve learnt the hard way over the years so you don’t have to! Don’t trash a super nice wetsuit.
