- + Open-cell interior insulates significantly better than closed-cell at same thickness
- + Supratex exterior resists abrasion better than bare neoprene
- + Two-piece design, jacket and pants give double core insulation
- + Excellent flexibility for duck dives and arm movement
- − Open-cell requires lubricant to put on, more setup than closed-cell
- − More delicate than closed-cell, avoid sitting on rough surfaces
- − Camo pattern is spearfishing-oriented; not everyone's aesthetic preference
Overview
The SEAC Camo 5mm is a strong choice for a diver's first season in temperate water. The open-cell interior, Supratex exterior, and two-piece construction give you everything a proper freediving wetsuit needs: warmth that closed-cell doesn't match, flexibility that a full neoprene exterior restricts, and durability that bare open-cell doesn't have.
Open-Cell vs Closed-Cell
The open-cell interior is the most important specification on any freediving wetsuit. Open-cell neoprene (raw, unlined neoprene foam) bonds directly to skin, trapping a thin water film that heats and insulates. Closed-cell neoprene, used in scuba and surf suits, has a smooth or fabric lining that reduces this bonding effect.
In practice: a 5mm open-cell suit is warmer than a 7mm closed-cell suit. At the same thickness, open-cell is significantly warmer. The trade-off is handling, open-cell tears more easily and requires lubrication to put on. For serious freediving in cold water, the warmth advantage is non-negotiable.
Supratex Exterior
Bare neoprene exteriors are common in cheaper open-cell suits. They degrade when you sit on a rubber boat pontoon, drag across a rocky ledge, or store improperly. Supratex solves this: the reinforced fabric surface is built to resist abrasion, which is why it suits divers who spend their sessions around rock, reef and boat decks.
The Camo Pattern
It's a spearfishing design aesthetic. Some freediving-only divers find it too aggressive; others don't care. The pattern is functional for spearfishing crossover use (reduces visual contrast for fish approach) and irrelevant for pure depth diving. If the pattern matters to you, the Cressi Apnea 5mm is the alternative with a cleaner look.