All Wetsuits and Accessories

Although many beginners choose to start spearfishing in a regular surf wetsuit, changing to a spearfishing wetsuit makes a world of difference to your comfort in the water, and success as a spearfisher. A spearfishing wetsuit is specifically designed to keep us as warm as possible, whether we are slowly stalking our prey in the shallows or diving deep into the cold UK waters to perform ‘aspetto’. It is also much more robust than a regular wetsuit to cope with the pressure at depth and to handle the rough surface of the seabed during an ambush.

Spearfishing wetsuits differ from regular wetsuits in five main ways:

1. Spearfishing wetsuits are made of lined external and open cell internal neoprene. If you cut into a regular wetsuit you would notice it is constructed like a sandwich. A layer of neoprene on the inside is sandwiched by a lycra or nylon covering each side. Like regular wetsuits, with spearfishing wetsuits the neoprene has a lining on the outside made of protective nylon. But unlike a regular wetsuit, the inside has no lining and can be described as ‘open cell’. This bare neoprene makes a seal against the skin minimizing any flushing of cold water, keeping the diver much warmer than he or she would be in a regular wetsuit.
2. Spearfishing wetsuits are ‘two piece’, jacket and trousers. The trousers are first put on followed by the jacket. The trousers tend to be high waist which means that the jacket overlaps creating an area around the torso that is double the thickness, helping to maximize warmth.
3. Spearfishing wetsuits are made from neoprene that is compression resistant. As we dive, the water pressure squeezes the neoprene because it has tiny air spaces inside. Spearfishing wetsuits are much more resistant to this squeeze than regular wetsuits. A regular wetsuit becomes wafer thin at depth, causing the diver to get cold, whereas a spearfishing wetsuit will maintain a good thickness at depth. This pressure will also compress (squish) a regular wetsuit permanently so that it becomes thinner whereas a spearfishing wetsuit can cope with years of diving whilst returning to its original thickness on the surface.
4. Spearfishing wetsuits have built-in sternal protection. Sternal protection, sometimes known as a loading pad, is a thicker part of the suit around the chest with a highly durable covering. This allows placing of the butt of the gun against the chest during loading. Regular wetsuits do not have any sternal protection and loading a speargun with a regular wetsuit can cause major discomfort and potential injury.
5. Spearfishing wetsuits have added areas of protection such as knee pads and elbow pads. Knee pads are without doubt very important aspects of spearfishing suits as the seabed is often sharp and will tear a regular wetsuit to shreds very quickly.

The thickness of the wetsuit depends on the water temperature and personal preference. For spearfishing in UK waters the best thickness is a 7mm jacket and 5mm pants. You can’t really go wrong with this tried and tested setup, however, for those who may wish to dive only in the summer months, a 5mm suit will suffice. 3mm suits simply aren’t up to the cold waters of the UK, however, a 3mm suit is an excellent option for bluewater spearfishing in tropical or subtropical waters.

When choosing a spearfishing wetsuit, look out for features such as built in sternal protection to assist loading the speargun. A large and padded area on the chest will make loading that much more comfortable. In addition, reinforced knee pads will prolong the life of wetsuit trousers massively. The seabed is often so sharp with barnacles or mussels that without knee protection a wetsuit is likely to get shredded in this area before long. Additionally, smooth skin seals around the hood, wrists and ankles as we see with the Cressi Tracina or Start Point Labrax suits for example, massively helps increase warmth. Finally, camouflaged patterns or dark colours can help with stealth and blending into the underwater environment.

While surfing and diving wetsuits may offer some level of protection, they lack the specific features needed for spearfishing (see section above What is a spearfishing wetsuit, and how is it different from a regular wetsuit?) If on a budget, a regular surf or dive wetsuit is OK to get started out, but bear in mind a spearfishing wetsuit has many benefits in terms of warmth, safety and durability. Spearfishing wetsuits are designed with reinforced padding and features to enhance manoeuvrability and gun loading. It is recommended to use a dedicated spearfishing wetsuit for optimal performance.

To care for your spearfishing wetsuit:

1. Rinse it with fresh water after each use to remove salt and debris.
2. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for extended periods to prevent damage.
3. Store it in a cool, dry place away from sharp objects, and avoid using harsh chemicals or detergents, as they can deteriorate the neoprene material.
4. Fit a pee valve or pissette to trousers to avoid peeing in wetsuit which deteriorates neoprene.
5. Store the suit inside out over winter to avoid any sticking of open cell interior.

You can pair your spearfishing wetsuit with neoprene accessories such as socks, gloves, hoods and pissettes for better warmth. These accessories provide additional insulation and help you stay comfortable in colder waters, especially in the colder UK waters.

Yes, spearfishing wetsuits can be used for other water activities such as snorkelling, free diving, and general watersports. Their versatility and design make them suitable for various water-related pursuits.