Freediving Wetsuits vs. Scuba Wetsuits: Key Differences Explained

Having the appropriate safety equipment, such as a wetsuit, enhances your experience in underwater adventures. A wetsuit provides thermal insulation, jellyfish sting protection, and better streamlining. If you are to dive in the sea or river or do scuba diving, wearing the proper wetsuit will make or break your underwater experience.

Although freediving and scuba wetsuits look similar, they serve significantly different purposes. Their differences ensure increased comfort, performance, and safety. Let's dive deeper into what sets freediving wetsuits apart from scuba wetsuits and why having the wrong one can ruin your dive.

Why Freediving and Scuba Wetsuits Are Different?

Many people are unaware of the differences between the two. Some people use scuba diving wetsuits for free diving, and vice versa. Although these suits look the same, they are made to serve entirely different purposes.  Freedivers require a thin wetsuit that allows maximum mobility and warmth without adding weight to their bodies. Scuba divers require thick wetsuits that are maximally durable and offer long-term thermal insulation.  

Wetsuit manufacturers take into account these fundamental need differences in all aspects of designing these suits, from material selection to the stitching and body fitting. One of the significant differences between these two types of underwater adventures is in the diver's movement style and activity duration. Freedivers typically make shorter, more intense dives where every movement counts, while scuba divers spend more extended periods underwater, moving more slowly. This explains why their wetsuit requirements vary so significantly.

Neoprene Type: Open Cell vs. Closed Cell

The neoprene in your wetsuit is a carefully engineered material filled with gas bubbles that provide insulation. Freediving wetsuits use open-cell neoprene where the inner layer is pure, unlined rubber that sticks to your skin. It creates a vacuum-like seal that minimizes water circulation while maximizing warmth. The trade-off? These suits require lubrication to put on and are more delicate.

Scuba wetsuits use closed-cell neoprene with a fabric lining. This makes them easier to don and more durable, but slightly less warm because the lining creates tiny air pockets that allow minimal water flow. TLining also gives structural stability, making scuba suits more appropriate for contact with equipment or rocks.

Thickness and Insulation: The Science behind Warmth

Whereas scuba wetsuits tend to be thicker (around 5-7mm), freediving wetsuits can offer similar warmth at only 3-5mm. This apparent contradiction boils down to bubble size. Freediving neoprene holds bigger nitrogen bubbles that provide better insulation per millimeter. But these bubbles compress more under pressure, which is why scuba divers require the additional thickness - their suits have to retain heat for long, deep descents.

Thickness affects more than heat. Thinners' freediving suits offer less floatation, and thus divers need less weight to achieve neutral buoyancy. Scuba divers wearing heavier suits need additional lead to offset the increased floatation, especially with aluminum tanks that become increasingly buoyant when depleted..

Design Features That Matter

Aside from materials, several design features distinguish these wetsuits::

• Seams and Stitching: Freediving wetsuits typically feature flatlock sewing, which follows the movement of your body, whereas scuba wetsuits may utilize glued and blind-stitched seams to enhance water resistance at greater depths.

• Cut and Fit: Freediving wetsuits favor a more anatomical cut to minimize drag and optimize flexibility. Scuba wetsuits give a slightly looser fit to enable additional undergarments in cold water.

• Entry Systems: The removal of the zipper on most freediving suits reduces potential leak points and drag.. In contrast, scuba suits nearly always feature back zippers for easier entry despite the slight insulation compromise.

Special Considerations for Different Dive Types

Spearfishing: Most commonly requires waterproof suits with mainly reinforced knees and elbows. Some of the models also have camouflage patterns as a feature.

Cold Water Diving: Both may certainly add hooded vests; however, free divers still prefer integrated hoods because they are easier for them to stay hydrodynamic.

Tropical Diving: Suits made of fragile material (1-3mm) are suitable for both; however, freedivers may prefer open-cell suits for added warmth during repetitive dives.

Buoyancy: How Wetsuits Affect Your Dive

Freediving wetsuits are of lower buoyancy and enable divers to go down with the least possible weight. Scuba suits, which are thicker, significantly increase buoyancy; thus, more weight is needed to remain submerged. Carrying out freediving with a scuba suit implies fighting against unnecessary drag, while the use of a freediving suit in scuba diving may not give you enough buoyancy control.

Durability: Which Suit Lasts Longer?

Freediving wetsuits, made up of soft open-cell neoprene, are more vulnerable to damage caused by tears, particularly for those who are in a lot of contact with rocky surfaces. Scuba wetsuits, constructed of sturdy closed-cell neoprene, can withstand harsher usage better.

If durability is a significant factor for you in choosing between the two, then the scuba option is a no-brainer. On the flip side, free divers give up some of the toughness for warmth and flexibility.

Design: One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Suits

All freediving wetsuits are two-piece (jacket and high-waisted shorts) for a close fit and added insulation. Scuba suits tend to be one-piece for ease of use. The two-piece configuration minimizes water penetration and optimizes mobility, making it best suited to free divers who require all the assistance in efficiency that they can get.

Zippers: Speed vs. Convenience

Freediving suits avoid zippers to reduce drag and water leakage. Scuba suits use zippers for easy wear, trading hydrodynamics for convenience. The absence of zippers makes freediving suits more challenging to wear in—usually needing lubricant—but improves performance underwater.

Hoods: Inbuilt Heat for Freedivers

Most freediving wetsuits feature inbuilt hoods to maintain body heat, which is essential because divers cannot depend upon thick insulation. Scuba divers commonly use detachable hoods for versatility.

Can You Swap Wetsuits between Freediving and Scuba?

Technically, yes—but it's not ideal. A scuba suit will hinder freediving with extra buoyancy and stiffness. A freediving suit may leave scuba divers too cold at depth. If you do both, having separate suits is best. If you must choose, prioritize the activity you do most.

Final Thoughts: Which Wetsuit Is Right for You?

Your diving technique and purpose determine the ideal wetsuit. Freedivers require flexibility, warmth, and low buoyancy—open-cell, two-piece suits are superior in this. Scuba divers prefer thicker, tougher, closed-cell suits with zips for convenience. Choosing the proper one adds comfort, performance, and safety.

With these differences in mind, which wetsuit is right for your next outing? Let us hear from you in the comments!