3mm Wetsuits

Frequently asked questions

What water temperature is a 3mm wetsuit appropriate for?

A 3mm wetsuit is suitable for water temperatures in the range of approximately 18°C to 24°C or 65°F to 80°F— typical of warm tropical destinations such as the Caribbean, parts of the Pacific, and the Red Sea. At 18°C, most divers find a 3mm suit comfortable for dives of 45 to 60 minutes. In water warmer than 24°C, a 3mm suit may feel uncomfortably warm on the surface and during entry and exit, particularly in direct sun. For Canadian lake and ocean diving, a 3mm wetsuit is appropriate only for surface swimming or snorkeling.

Can a 3mm wetsuit be used for snorkeling in Canada?

In summer, a 3mm suit is functional for snorkeling in Canadian lakes where surface water reaches 18°C to 22°C — reasonable for a 30 to 45 minute surface session. For longer snorkel sessions or if you tend to run cold, a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit is more comfortable in these conditions. For spring and fall snorkeling in Canadian water, a 3mm suit is insufficient and a 5mm or 7mm suit is appropriate. A 3mm wetsuit is also a popular choice for travelling divers who primarily dive in warm tropical destinations but want some thermal protection — it is significantly lighter and more packable than a 5mm or 7mm suit.

Do I need a hood and gloves with a 3mm wetsuit?

In water above 22°C where a 3mm suit is the primary recommendation, a hood and gloves are generally not necessary. At the cooler end of the 3mm range — 18°C to 20°C — some divers find a 2mm to 3mm hood and 2.5mm gloves add meaningful comfort on longer dives or multiple dives per day, particularly as body temperature drops with repeated immersion. Individual cold tolerance varies considerably. If you plan to dive at the cooler end of the 3mm temperature range or make multiple dives per day, having a light hood and gloves available to add as needed is a sensible approach.