13 important features to look for (see below)
#1: Yamamoto Neoprene from Japan OR Chinese Petroleum Based Neoprene
The best wetsuits are made of natural limestone based YAMAMOTO neoprene from Japan
All other wetsuits are made with petroleum based Chinese Neoprene
- The best wetsuits in the world are made of Yamamoto Neoprene from Japan. You dive deeper and longer because the wetsuit is warmer and it stretches more. You can take bigger breaths. Does not constrict your muscle movements.
- Most European wetsuits use much lower quality petroleum based Chinese neoprene that does not stretch as much is not as warm and can cause skin irritations.
- Do Not buy a wetsuit that is made of low quality Chinese neoprene.
- Only buy a wetsuit made of Yamamoto Neoprene from Japan.
- ALL MAKO wetsuits are made with 100% Genuine Yamamoto Neoprene.
#2: Water tight face seals OR just stitching around face
The best wetsuits have watertight face seals around the face - The Best!
Lower Quality wetsuits with just stitching around the face - Horrible!
- The best freedive wetsuits come with water tight face seals that keep water out and you stay much warmer.
- Low quality wetsuits just have just stitching around the face. They are horrible at keeping water out so you get cold much faster.
- Do not buy a wetsuit with just stitching around the face.
- Do buy a wetsuit with water tight face seals.
- ALL MAKO/Yamamoto 2 piece freedive wetsuits have water tight face seals.
#3: Water tight wrist seals OR just stitching around wrist
The best wetsuits have water tight wrist seals to keep water out. Super warm!
Low Quality wetsuits just have just stitching - Horrible at keeping water out!
- The best freedive wetsuits come with water tight wrist seals that keep water out and you stay much warmer.
- Low quality wetsuits just have just stitching around the wrist. They are horrible at keeping water out so you get cold much faster.
- Do not buy a wetsuit with just stitching around the wrist.
- Do buy a wetsuit with water tight wrist seals.
- ALL MAKO/Yamamoto 2 piece freedive wetsuits have water tight wrist seals.
#4: Water tight ankle seals OR just stitching around ankles
The best wetsuits have watertight seals around the ankles. Much warmer!
Low Quality wetsuits with just stitching around the ankles
- The best freedive wetsuits come with water tight ankle seals that keep water out and you stay much warmer.
- Low quality wetsuits just have just stitching around the ankles. They are horrible at keeping water out so you get cold much faster.
- Do not buy a wetsuit with just stitching around the ankles.
- Only buy a wetsuit with water tight ankle seals.
- ALL MAKO/Yamamoto 2 piece freedive wetsuits have water tight ankle seals.
#5: “Exterior Glue Stops” on thread beginnings and ending OR No “Exterior Glue stops” on thread beginnings and endings
High Quality wetsuits have Exterior glue stops
Lower quality wetsuits have no Exterior glue stops
- The best freedive wetsuits will have “Exterior Glue Stops” on the beginnings and endings of all threads. This will significantly add to the life of your suit.
- Lower quality suits lack this added protective measure because it adds to the cost and the suits won’t las as long.
- Don’t buy a wetsuit without these “Exterior Glue Stops”
- Only buy a wetsuit with “Exterior Glue Stops”.
- All MAKO/Yamamoto 2 piece freedive wetsuits have “Exterior Glue Stops.
#6: With selectable Farmer John/high waist bottoms OR only with high waist bottoms
High Quality wetsuits give you the option of high waist or farmer john bottoms
Lower quality wetsuits only give you high waist bottoms
- The best men's wetsuits come with selectable Farmer John bottoms for cold water that can be cut into high waist bottoms if you dive warmer water.
- Lower quality wetsuits come with high waist bottoms only which are horrible in cold water.
- Do not buy a men's wetsuit with high waist bottoms only.
- Do buy a men's wetsuit with selectable Farmer John bottoms that can be cut into high waist bottoms
- ALL MAKO 2 piece wetsuits come with selectable Farmer John bottoms that can be cut into high waist bottoms.
#7: With knife pocket OR without knife pocket
The best wetsuits have knife pockets - Much Safer!
Lower quality wetsuits do not have knife pockets. Not Safe!
- The best wetsuits come with knife pockets that eliminate tangles. A knife pocket can save your life.
- Lower quality wetsuits come without the knife pockets. Your knife can get tangled with your float line reel line kelp or rogue nets.
- Do not buy a wetsuit without a knife pocket. They are not as safe.
- Do buy a wetsuit with a knife pocket . They are much safer.
- ALL MAKO wetsuits come with a knife pocket.
#8: With real knee pads OR with ink printed on the knees
The best wetsuits have real knee pads sewn onto the wetsuit
Lower quality wetsuits have screen printed ink knee markings
- The best wetsuits come with real knee pads sewn onto the wetsuit. This offers maximum protection for the diver and the wetsuit.
- Low quality wetsuits come with ink printed on the knee area. This printed ink offers no protection for you and no protection for the wetsuit.
- Do not buy a wetsuit with ink printed on the knee area.
- Do buy a wetsuit with real knee pads sewn onto the wetsuit
- ALL MAKO wetsuits come with with real knee pads sewn onto the wetsuit.
#9: With Super Stretch outer NYLON lining OR with low quality low stretch POLYESTER outer lining
The best wetsuits have "super stretch outer lining". It increases your breath hold and diving ability
Low quality wetsuits have "low stretch outer lining". It lowers your breath hold and diving ability
- The best wetsuits come with Super Stretch outer lining. You dive deeper and longer because the wetsuits stretches more. You can take bigger breaths. Does not constrict your muscle movements.
- Low quality wetsuits come with low stretch polyester outer lining. They are horrible because you cannot take full breaths and they constrict your muscles. It can be dangerous!
- Do not buy a wetsuit with low stretch polyester outer lining.
- Do buy a wetsuit with with Super Stretch outer lining.
- ALL MAKO wetsuits come with Super Stretch outer lining.
#10: Gender specific wetsuits OR unisex wetsuits
The best men's wetsuit is made to fit only a male and the best women's wetsuit is made to fit a female only.
A lower quality wetsuit is made to fit a male and a female. It fits neither well.
- The best men's wetsuit is made specifically for a male. And the best women's wetsuit is made specifically for a woman.
- Lower quality wetsuits are unisex. They are supposedly made to fit both a man and a women. They don't fit either well.
- Do not buy a unisex wetsuit. Period!
- If you are male do buy a wetsuit made specifically for a man.
- If you are female do buy a wetsuit made specifically for a woman.
- ALL MAKO men's wetsuits are made specifically for men.
- ALL MAKO women's wetsuits are made specifically for women.
#11: With Reinforcement under the clips OR without reinforced clips
High Quality wetsuits have reinforcement around the clips
Lower Quality wetsuits do not have reinforcement around the clips
- The best wetsuit comes with reinforced material under the beaver tail clips. This prevents the clips from separating from the neoprene.
- A low quality wetsuit comes without reinforced material under the beavertail clips.
- This means the clips will rip out.
- Do not buy a wetsuit without reinforcement under clips.
- Do buy a wetsuit with reinforcement under the clips.
- ALL MAKO wetsuit clips have reinforcement under the clips.
#12: With reinforced lining on butt & waist OR without reinforced lining on butt & waist
High quality wetsuits have a reinforced lining around the butt & waist to protect against tears
Lower quality wetsuits do not have the lining reinforced and can tear easily
- The best wetsuit comes with a reinforced lining around the butt & waist. This protects the wetsuit against unwanted tears when putting on and taking off.
- Low quality wetsuits come without a reinforced lining around the butt & waist. It can be torn easily.
- Do not buy a wetsuit without a reinforced lining around the butt & waist..
- Do buy a wetsuit with a reinforced lining around the butt & waist.
- ALL MAKO clips come with a reinforced lining around the butt & waist.
#13: With 15 inside seam gussets OR with ZERO inside seam gussets
The best wetsuits have 15 inside gussets at high stress seam joints. This makes the wetsuit much more durable
Low quality wetsuits have ZERO inside gussets. Avoids these wetsuits they are not durable
- The best wetsuits come with 15 inside gussets on all high stress joints which prevents ripping at the seams. A much more durable wetsuit!
- Low quality wetsuits often have ZERO inside gussets on high stress joints. The seams can separate and cold water can enter.
- Do not buy a wetsuit with no gussets on each high stress joint.
- Do buy a wetsuit with inside gussets on all high stress joint.
- ALL MAKO wetsuits come with 15 inside gussets on high stress joints.