Preparing For Cold Water Dives

Mares 5mm Trilastic Boots

99 reviews

SKU: MRSBTR10

^$119.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A durable high-cut dive boot with hard sole and reinforced toe/heel for cold water diving.

Pinnacle 7mm Cruiser Men's Full Wetsuit

75 reviews

SKU: PINC77MLT

^$349.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A durable and warm 7mm neoprene wetsuit with a smooth rear zipper entry and shoulder pads.

Pros

Good price
Durable construction
Easy to put on
Excellent warmth
Comfortable fit

Henderson 8/7mm Thermoprene Pro Men's Hooded Semi-Dry Suit

67 reviews

SKU: HNDTPSDXL

^$627.99

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-quality, 8/7mm semi-dry suit for male scuba divers with durable knee pads and PK S-Lock zipper.

Pros

Great fit and comfort
Reasonable price for the quality
Excellent warmth and minimal water leakage
Easy to put on and take off
High-quality construction and durability

Pinnacle 5mm Cruiser Men's Full Wetsuit

62 reviews

SKU: PINC55MK1

^$299.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A durable and warm 5mm full wetsuit for male scuba divers with a smooth rear zipper entry and rubber shoulder pads.

Pros

Warmth and insulation
Good value for the price
Durable and well-made construction
Easy to put on and take off
Comfortable and accurate fit

NeoSport 5mm Men's Full Wetsuit Package

53 reviews

SKU: PCKDW8

~~$355.92~~ Save: $115.97 (33%)

^$239.95

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In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 5mm full wetsuit package for men, designed for scuba diving in colder waters.

Pros

Good quality and durability
Excellent customer service
Good value for the price
Fast shipping and timely delivery
Great fit and warmth

NeoSport 2.5mm Women's Front Zip Vest Wetsuit

49 reviews

SKU: NSPVWPR6

~~$68.95~~ Save: $18.95 (27%)

^$50

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In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A sleeveless front zip wetsuit vest made of premium nylon ll neoprene rubber for women.

Bare 8/7mm Velocity Ultra Men's Hooded Semi-Dry Suit

41 reviews

SKU: BREVHFMLS

^$579.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A men's semi-dry scuba suit with 8/7mm neoprene, ergonomic design, and omnired infrared technology.

Pros

Excellent warmth retention
Good value for the price
Integrated hood and seals provide minimal water entry
High-quality materials and craftsmanship
Easy to put on and take off

Cressi High Stretch Gloves

40 reviews

SKU: CSBGM3MD

^$25.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A highly flexible and comfortable glove made from soft, stretchy neoprene for scuba diving.

Pros

Super stretchy and flexible
Inexpensive and affordable
Good grip and dexterity
Good fit and comfortable
Warm and durable

Henderson 7mm Thermoprene Men's Full Wetsuit

34 reviews

SKU: HNDTJ7MLS

~~$437.99~~ Save: $163.02 (37%)

^$274.97

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-quality 7mm full wetsuit for male scuba divers with a contoured fit and durable exterior.

Pros

High comfort
Contoured fit
Excellent warmth

Cressi Aquaride Blue Pro BCD

28 reviews

SKU: CSBARBPSM

~~$549.95~~ Save: $50.00 (9%)

^$499.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A versatile blue BCD with integrated weight system, suitable for any dive condition and made of durable nylon.

Pros

Durable and tough
Versatile with ample pockets and d-rings
Easy-to-adjust tank strap
Good buoyancy and weight distribution
Comfortable fit

XS Scuba 5mm Dry Five Gloves

27 reviews

SKU: XSSDFGXL

^$77.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A waterproof 5mm neoprene glove with TruFit Patterns for a second skin fit, ideal for scuba in colder waters.

Pros

Good value for the price
Accurate sizing and comfortable fit
Provides warmth and protection in cold water
Durable and does not fade
Flexible and allows for good dexterity

Henderson 7/5mm Thermoprene Bibbed Hood

19 reviews

SKU: HNDHT7XL

^$56.99

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 7/5mm neoprene bibbed hood with an anatomical fit, trimmable skin face seal, and durable construction.

Henderson 5mm Thermoprene Gloves

19 reviews

SKU: HNDGT5MD

^$44.99

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A durable and stretchy 5mm neoprene glove with hi-grip palm for scuba diving.

Lavacore Bibbed Hood

18 reviews

SKU: LVCHDMD

^$29.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A neutrally buoyant bibbed hood with antibacterial inner fleece and SPF 30+ sun protection.

NeoSport 5mm Explore Boots

17 reviews

SKU: NSPPEB10

^$99.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-cut, unisex 5mm neoprene boot with a soft, waterproof sole and reinforced rubber, available in 9 sizes.

NeoSport 1.5mm XSPAN Socks

16 reviews

SKU: NSPS1XL

~~$28.95~~ Save: $6 (21%)

^$22.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-cut, unisex sock made from XSPAN material with 1.5mm thickness and 4-way stretch neoprene.

NeoSport 7mm Men's Full Wetsuit Package

15 reviews

SKU: PCKDW10

~~$417.89~~ Save: $127.94 (31%)

^$289.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 7mm full wetsuit package for men, designed for cold water use with added knee pads and vented bib hood.

Scubapro 7.5mm Novascotia Men's with Hood Semi-Dry Suit

15 reviews

SKU: SCPNS75M4XL

^$909

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A sleek and comfortable semi-dry suit for men with 7.5mm thickness and included hood.

Pinnacle 7mm Merino Lined Zippered Dry Suit Hood

15 reviews

SKU: PINHD7MZXL

^$74.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 7mm titanium lined zippered dry suit hood with merino lining for odor control and a custom fit.

Henderson 5/3mm Thermoprene Pro Men's Hooded Vest

13 reviews

SKU: HNDTPMHVXS

^$153.99

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 5/3mm neoprene hooded vest with 250% more stretch, designed for layering in colder waters.

Mares 6.5mm Trilastic Boots

12 reviews

SKU: MRSBT658

^$124.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 6.5mm Trilastic dive boot with a hard sole for control and power in cold water.

Cressi 1.5mm Ultra Stretch Socks

11 reviews

SKU: CSBSUSSM

^$24.50

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A highly flexible and protective pair of Cressi 1.5mm Ultra Stretch Socks for all water sports.

Aqualung 5mm Superzip Boots

11 reviews

SKU: UDRBSZ54

^$75

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-cut, 5mm neoprene boot with an 8mm-thick treaded sole for avid male divers.

Mares Abyss 22 Navy II Regulator

10 reviews

SKU: MRSAN22

^$869.95

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A high-performance scuba diving regulator with an environmentally sealed, balanced diaphragm design for extreme conditions.

Scubapro 3mm Definition Men's Full Wetsuit

10 reviews

SKU: SCPDSM3MD

^$340

+ wishlist

In Stock

DESCRIPTION

A 3mm full wetsuit for male scuba divers with custom fit, infrared fleece lining, and secure instrument straps.

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Preparing For Cold Water Dives

Cold water diving opens up a unique world beneath the surface, from the kelp forests of California to the emerald fjords of Norway, but it also brings special challenges that demand careful preparation and the right gear. When the water temperature drops, the body loses heat much faster than in air, so thermal protection becomes the cornerstone of every dive plan. For many divers, the transition from warm summer waters to chillier conditions in June and beyond means rethinking their equipment lineup. Drysuits are often the preferred choice for serious cold water explorers, offering a dry, insulated barrier against the elements and allowing for customizable layering underneath. Wetsuits, on the other hand, require greater thickness—usually 7mm or more—and can be paired with additional vests or shorties for added warmth. No matter the suit, accessories like hoods, gloves, and boots are not optional; they’re essential for protecting extremities, which lose heat the fastest. Divers swapping from tropical sites to brisker locales quickly learn the value of a well-fitting hood or a pair of robust gloves, as even a small gap in coverage can sap comfort and cut a dive short.

Beyond the suit itself, thoughtful additions can make a world of difference in both safety and enjoyment. Regulators designed for cold water help prevent free-flow incidents, and steel tanks are often favored for their negative buoyancy and ability to offset the lift of thick exposure suits. Weighting systems may need to be adjusted, as the extra insulation increases buoyancy, and many divers find themselves fine-tuning their setup over a few dives to achieve perfect trim. Staying warm isn’t just about what you wear in the water; it’s also about how you prepare before and after the dive. Layering up with cozy clothes, sipping warm drinks, and having a thermos ready on the boat or shore can transform the surface interval into a welcome respite. For those who dive year-round or are gearing up for a trip to colder waters, these products make thoughtful gifts, especially for friends or family members who are always chasing the next adventure. A well-chosen piece of cold water gear can become a cherished companion, a reminder of shared experiences beneath the ice or among winter reefs.

As you browse through our recommended products, consider not only the water temperature but also your own cold tolerance, dive duration, and the type of diving you plan to do. Building up exposure gradually helps your body acclimate, and mental preparation is just as important as the physical. For those new to cold water, a drysuit certification course is a wise investment, building confidence and comfort with specialized equipment. Remember, cold water diving is as much about preparation as it is about exploration. From the satisfying ritual of pouring warm water into your gloves before a winter shore dive to the camaraderie of sharing hot drinks post-dive, these moments become part of the adventure. For even more tips on staying comfortable and safe, visit our detailed guide on Warmth In Cold Water Diving. With the right gear and a bit of planning, cold water dives can become some of the most rewarding experiences in your diving journey.

Top Picks For Preparing For Cold Water Dives