Re. spearo/freediving wetsuits vs. SCUBA. I don't know if SCUBA divers still use wet suits these days(?). I think they normally use dry suits - either baggy overall type ones that can be worn over street clothes or tighter fitting ones that look more like wetsuits. Spearo wetsuits are great IMHO.
If you are buying a wet suit for spear fishing then get a proper spearo wetsuit, you won't regret it it is probably the most important part of your equipment. They need not be expensive, there are often great bargains to be had if you shop around.
If you are you are not an "off the peg"-shape/size, then get a custom made wetsuit. It does not cost much more and the fit is great - which helps keep you happy & warm
.
You don't need fancy neoprene, camoflage, pads or linings IMHO, except perhaps a
loading pad [others have suggested knee pads - I haven't needed them - perhaps if you dive from boats?]. They can be nice extras if your budget permits but are not necessary. I decided to get a
tailored made suit and, after discussing my needs with Elios, opted for their least expensive neoprene -- it has served me very well for maybe 4 or 5 years (I wash and dry it after each use); in hindsight I am still happy with the choices I made. It has a
nylon outer which is
strong and protective.
Open-cell inner, which is cheap, warm and practically sticks to your skin. Because I don't dive really deep (no more than 30ft and usually only half that, and most of the time is spent at or near the surface), nor for real long (as some SCUBA divers do), so I don't need expensive special rigid or gas filled neoprene.
It's black, which is "the new-camo"
and cheap. Black is pretty good for hiding out on the sea bed; it absorbs light. If you get a black mask, fins and snorkel it'll all have similar properties. In open water you'll probably present a seal-like silhouette but that's probably unavoidable. Next time, I might go for camo, or partial camo (to break up my profile, some spearos use unmatched top & pants for this reason) or "macro" camo (with one or two large patches contrasting colour/shade of like the SA preditor wetsuits) - I haven't decided yet.
There are two main types of spearo suit design, the simple and inexpensive
traditional spearo which has a high waisted pant and
long-john, where the pant goes up the body and fastens over the shoulder (a bit like a sleeveless triathlon wetsuit). The hooded jackets are the same. I went for the standard
high waisted spearo suit, that's what the Italians seem to use. I'm very happy with it. It's simple and inexpensive. The only drawback I can think of is that the most insulated/warmest part of your body is your um...crotch (as the jacket's flap passes between the legs), which for men should ideally be the coolest part. Long-john wetsuit need to fit more accurately, as the pant must also fit the torso, and the jacket must fit over the top of that. For a given thickness they will be warmer because your torso will be covered by trousers & jacket (e.g. 5mm + 5mm!). I think that might get too warm but alternatively might allow a 3mm long john to be used instead of a 5mm high-waist spearo suit (or 5mm instead of 7mm)? A long-john might also be handy if you wish to dive from a kayak - just remove your jacket to paddle. If you opt for the traditional spearo suit, most companies offer a
2mm neoprene vest which can be worn under the wetsuit for extra warmth - which would be like using a long-john, without the fitting complication; in practice you'll probably never need it but its nice to know that there is an inexpensive* option if you find you need extra warmth/coverage in the future.
*Although this should be a simple, inexpensive option, the vests are often surprisingly expensive. I think the wetsuit companies are making a mistake overcharging for vests because customers might order one "just in case" if they were inexpensive. But as I said, not really necessary.
