A Wetsuit Worth Sharing

It needs to fit, it needs to be comfortable, it needs to be durable, and, especially in Monterey, it needs to keep you warm. I think most of us would prefer to dive without a constricting layer of neoprene but, because that would most likely end similarly to the climax of the movie Titanic, we must find the most comfortable wetsuit to fit our needs. We want a fit that is like a second skin and that allows as much mobility as possible. But we also need durability, because this suit will be stewed in salt water (and other liquids, depending on your fluid intake and preferred method of warming up your wetsuit), raked with sand, and dashed by rocks and it must hold up to protect you. My wetsuit is one of my most cherished pieces of equipment because, without it, I am merely counting the minutes until I get out.

A couple of months ago I was in Pro Scuba chatting with Dave and Cheryl; a fellow diver walked in and we were introduced. We started talking about our love for diving and the topic of wetsuits came up. He had recently purchased a new suit. He was so stoked about it, he ran out to his car to grab it so he could show me. His new purchase was a SCUBAPRO Everflex Hooded Front Zip. His biggest praise was how comfortable the suit was. He loved the convenience of having the hood attached because he hated how the bib of his separate hood would bunch up in his previous wetsuit.

After seeing his enthusiasm for the suit, I read about it on the SCUBAPRO website and found several more qualities that really made it stand out. It fits our need for durability with abrasion resistant neoprene and abrasion resistant fabric on your booty (or, as is politely put on the website, “seat”) and shoulders. I also love that it is made out of SCUBAPRO’s X-foam. It “is the only formula which complies with very strict P.A.H. [Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons] test requirements.” PHAs are an environmental nightmare because they are difficult to burn and so they stay in the environment for long periods of time. They also have the potential to be harmful over continued exposure. The wetsuit is built the sane way, with the zipper in front and reachable; no more having to break out in sandy wetsuit yoga to get in and out.  

I do not have this wetsuit, but I felt it was worth sharing because a fellow diver was so excited about it and it covers our basic needs in a wetsuit. It is built to fit and be comfortable, durable and warm.