The Scuba Gear Lab

Full Wetsuit vs Shorty: Which Is Better for Diving?

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Choosing the wrong wetsuit thickness is how divers end up shivering through safety stops or overheating in tropical shallows. This episode breaks down the full wetsuit versus shorty debate with practical guidance based on over 8,000 logged dives in Florida waters. Whether you're planning Caribbean reef dives, cold-water wreck penetrations, or tropical snorkeling trips, you'll learn exactly which configuration matches your diving conditions, body type, and bottom time requirements.

  • Full wetsuits win for any water below 78°F, extended bottom times, or cold-sensitive divers, while shorties excel in 80°F-plus tropical shallows where mobility matters more than thermal protection.
    • Water conducts heat 25 times faster than air, which means your body loses core temperature long before you actually feel cold—a 3mm shorty in 74°F water can leave you hypothermic by the 40-minute mark.
      • Individual metabolism matters more than generic temperature charts: if you run cold on land, add 4-6 degrees to any wetsuit temperature rating rather than relying on ego or arbitrary guidelines.
        • Shorties expose everything below the biceps and mid-thigh to direct water contact, making them adequate for 45-60 minute dives in 82°F-plus water but problematic for longer bottom times or cooler conditions.
          • Full wetsuits require 6-18 pounds of weight compensation depending on thickness, while shorties need only 2-6 pounds—a significant factor for travel divers watching baggage limits.
            • Mobility restrictions are real and unavoidable with full suits: shoulder rotation suffers most, affecting camera work, valve adjustments, and streamlined swimming form, though modern super-stretch neoprene helps reduce the limitation.

              • Read the full article: https://thescubagearlab.com/full-wetsuit-vs-shorty

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              The Scuba Gear LabBy The Scuba Gear Lab