5mm Wetsuits

Frequently asked questions

What water temperature is a 5mm wetsuit right for?

A 5mm wetsuit covers a broad range — approximately 12°C to 20°C — making it the most versatile single-thickness wetsuit for divers who travel to varied destinations. It suits early season diving in temperate destinations like California, parts of Australia, and the Mediterranean in shoulder season. In Canada, a 5mm wetsuit may be suitable for summer lake diving above the thermocline in some areas, check with a local dive shop for advice. For divers who run particularly cold, a 5mm suit with a hood and gloves can extend the comfort range down to approximately 10°C for shorter recreational dives.

Is a 5mm wetsuit too warm for tropical diving?

In water above 24°C, most divers find a 5mm wetsuit uncomfortably warm — particularly during surface intervals and entry and exit in direct sun. At tropical dive temperatures of 26°C to 29°C, a 3mm suit or dive skin is more appropriate. The exception is divers with specific cold sensitivity who genuinely cannot stay warm in a 3mm suit even in warm water — for those individuals, a 5mm suit in the tropics may still be preferable to being cold on every dive.

What accessories do I need with a 5mm wetsuit for Canadian diving?

A 5mm wetsuit for Canadian summer lake diving in some areas coulc be paired with a 5mm to 7mm hood, 5mm to 7mm gloves, and 5mm to 7mm boots at a minimum. Below the thermocline in Canadian lakes — typically around 5 to 10 metres — water temperatures often drop below 10°C regardless of surface temperature, so the accessories extend meaningful comfort at depth. For most Canadian ocean or lake diving, a 5mm suit may be a transitional option for late summer only — a 7mm suit or drysuit is more appropriate for most of the year. Adding a neoprene vest or core warmer under the 5mm suit extends its effective temperature range by approximately 3°C to 5°C.