Surf wetsuit vs Diving wetsuit?

[Louis Chen]

I have owned a Mares Reef 3 for 2 years, its a solid piece of wetsuit, never wears out and keeps in perfect shape throughout the time, but I had a little complain about keeping me warm. I have recently come to put on a wetsuit by Mystic, which is a surfing/kiteboarding brand on its model Majestic 3/2, and I have to say I’m very impressed with the waterproof and it feels dry on the inside of my body, in the way I’ve never experienced.

Therefore in someway I think a surfing wetsuit might be better than a diving wetsuit (wetsuit developed and branded with a diving equipment company), although I never really look into the technical differences between the two.

Then I look into the lining of the Mystic suit I find a label says “NOT A DIVING SUIT”, which confuses me more. Because when I actually use it in the water it does feel warmer and more comfortable in a surfing wetsuit.

Any one here have an experience sharing the pros/cons using wetsuits intended for different applications underwater? Does it make any difference technically between these?

 

[runsongas]

surf wetsuits are generally stretchier and less dense neoprene. they don't hold up to the compression as well of diving, so they wear out a bit faster and get thinner comparatively at depth so not as insulating. not a big deal for 3mm usually though. the mystic might just fit you better since you are getting less water ingress. a well fitting suit will not have a large amount of water sloshing in and out.

 

[scjoe]

The surf suit can be cheaper than the same thickness dive suit. I find that a 3 mil surf suit works just fine for me in warm water diving. A brand new suit will always seem superior to the suit it is replacing as it has not gone through the wear and tear of the old suit.

 

[hammet]

I've used various shorty surfing wetsuits for warm water diving over the years. Never really thought twice about it. I'm wearing an O'neil in my avatar.

 

[Louis Chen]

I understand being fit to the wetsuit is a determine factor for the warmness felt in a suit. Most of the time I find the Mares suit pretty good fit so as to tell the difference.
Im not sure if its true for all diving suits, but for the Mares Wetsuit, when I try to hold it tight and make a balloon with it and compress it, the bubble will just blow out quickly, then I turn to the Mystic surf suit and do the same thing, it take much longer for the bubble fade away. I guess the neoprene materials used for diving suit and a surf wetsuit are different in its water permeability? Maybe someone having a higher-end diving suit will have a different result here.

 

[DiverDownD3]

I used my 3/2 surfing wetsuit, it kept me warm around 75 degrees. For those kinds of temps I'd just use what you have