Genesis

Celeste

This BC uses a balanced air cell design for a comfortable floating position at the surface and at depth. The harness is built to fit female divers, using shorter, thinner shoulder straps with swiveling buckles and a three-position sternum strap for optimal fit and comfort. The cummerbund can be easily adjusted to optimize fit. Comfortable plush padding with a velvety-soft lining is used along the back of the harness. A specially designed sewn-in back late supports the tank for additional stability and comfort. The pinch-to-release buckles are very secure and are easy to engage and release. A pair of nonditchable trim pockets are mounted to the harness near the upper tank bands.

Slipins

Sand Pants

Lightweight and breathable, these jogger style pants offer 50+ UPF sun protection suitable for any occasion. They are available in five sizes and eight different patterns—including the Amazing Abalone print featured here. The pull-on design has a high waist and drapes effortlessly around the legs and ankles without feeling baggy. The four-way stretch fabric is super lightweight and silky soft for all-day comfort. The quick-drying pants are suitable for use as a swimsuit cover-up—especially with a matching SlipIns swimsuit. They won’t wrinkle even when shoved into a beach bag or purse, making it easy to look great anywhere your travels may take you.

Related reading: Better Together: Planning Your First Family Dive Trip

Nudi Wear

Neoprene Tote Bag

This large-capacity tote bag’s neoprene construction is water- and corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for long days at the beach or on a boat. It is available in four marine-life-inspired prints: lionfish, mandarinfish, tiger shark and whale shark. The bag has a magnetic closure, padded shoulder straps, and two large zippered pockets. Two additional sets of magnetic closures on either end can be released to increase the bag’s capacity. It includes a matching, removable clutch bag. The bag wipes clean and is machine washable on a gentle cycle. It also folds flat for storage. Ten percent of profits are donated toward ocean conservation.

Garmin

Descent MK2S

This incredibly small, lightweight tec-capable dive computer is packed with functionality. It has a tiny 43 mm case and weighs about 2 ounces, making it very comfortable during long days of diving—or any other adventure, as it supports myriad sport and fitness activities along with GPS mapping. The high-resolution color display offers great visibility and features bold, easy-to-read graphics. Critical alerts are accompanied by vibrations and clear instructions. The QuickFit silicone band can easily be swapped out for use with thick exposure gear or for additional customization. The dive data automatically syncs to the free Garmin Dive app. Available in three color options: light gold, mineral blue and carbon black.

Salt Life

Liquid Depth Sports Bra And Leggings

These uniquely patterned garments offer moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties, as well as UPF 50 sun protection. Stretchy, breathable polyester/spandex blend fabric uses flat-lock stitching and ensures maximum comfort for long days on and under the water. The fully lined sports bra has removable cups and features an elastic bottom band for support. The leggings feature a wide waistband and side pockets. Garments are machine washable and available in five sizes. Additional tops and bottoms are available in the Liquid Depth print.

ScubaDoRag

This lightweight diver’s cap made of moisture-wicking Lycra spandex safely identifies the diver and protects the head from the sun and other elements. It also provides a hair management solution to keep hair away from the face during underwater activities. A secret compartment hidden in the tail of the cap can be used to secure a ponytail or small items like hotel keys or extra cash. Numerous bold, vibrant and distinctive patterns are available, including constantly changing limited-edition prints. Additional ScubaDoRag Lycra accessories, such as tube socks, BC inflator hose covers, skirts and an assortment of tops, allow you to mix and match.

Coco Big OH

Another hair management solution from the makers of the ScubaDoRag, this 6-inch-wide headband is named after the large O-shaped elastic ponytail holder at the back of the band. This original and unique design of the ponytail opening uses less fabric than a traditional headband to minimize bulk and maximize comfort. The material is made of a four-way stretch Lycra/polyester blend and available in numerous bold, colorful prints.

Bare

Elate

Designed with an anatomically precise cut, this women’s wetsuit provides an excellent fit. A special blend of high-stretch neoprene and laminate layers gives the suit incredible flexibility, allowing it to hug the body closely without restricting the diver’s range of motion or creating uncomfortable pressure points. The snug fit limits water entry and flushing for additional warmth. An extra-long back zipper, along with the suit’s stretchy construction, allows the diver to easily get in and out of the suit. The comfortable, low-profile collar has a wide smoothskin lining and an integrated suit saver on the collar tab. The stylish Elate is available as a 3/2 mm, 5 mm and 7 mm fullsuit and as a 2 mm shorty, making it suitable for a wide variety of dive conditions and watersports.

Stream2Sea

Every Day Shimmer Sunscreen

Stream2Sea’s reef-safe mineralbased sunscreen with EcoSafe zinc provides 45 SPF sun protection and incorporates a blend of antioxidants including turmeric, holy basil, aloe, green tea, olive leaf and wakame to nourish and rejuvenate the skin. The nongreasy formula rubs in very easily and doesn’t leave behind a white cast. The “shimmer” version pictured here utilizes a biodegradable, microplastic-free glitter for a beautiful golden, sparkly glow. Unlike most sunscreens, which lose their effectiveness in the water, this product performs better after getting wet and is water-resistant upto 80 minutes. Ingredients are suitable for travel to countries with sunscreen bans and have been rigorously tested to ensure their safety for marine life.

Tusa

Intega

This mask’s supple skirt is soft and comfortable against the face and is great for those with sensitive skin. The skirt incorporates a special fitting ring that allows the mask to conform to a wide variety of face shapes and sizes, resulting in a very comfy and effective seal even for divers with smaller, narrower faces. The three-dimensional mask strap is butter soft and less likely to catch on hair. Pinch-buckles are quiet and effortless to adjust. Numerous color options are available.

Slipins

Full Body Dive Skin

This colorful front-zip full-body skin adds a splash of color to your dive attire. Made of breathable four-way stretch Lycra with 50+ UPF sun protection, it can be worn by itself in warm-water environments for protection against stings, abrasion and sun exposure. When worn under a wetsuit, the smooth, easy-sliding surface makes it very easy to slip in and out of the suit whether wet or dry. Thumbholes and foot stirrups ensure the dive skin stays in place during donning, diving and other watersport activities. It’s available in 21 different designs, including Deep Blue Sea (shown here).

Wave Runner

Women's Aqua Sneaker

This lightweight, self-draining water shoe is both practical and stylish. Elastic stretch laces maintain a comfortable, secure fit, wet or dry. Flexible, slip-resistant rubber soles offer excellent support on rocky, uneven terrain and secure traction on slippery, wet surfaces. Self-draining soles and hydrophobic mesh uppers offer excellent air circulation and dry almost instantly. They offer comfortable protection whether beachcombing, boating or wearing with open-heel fins for warm-water diving. Available in hot pink, neon yellow, red, blue, black and turquoise in nine women’s sizes.

Cressi

Elettra

Offering a female-friendly fit with a low-profile design, this BC’s harness has a two-position sternum strap and a pivoting elastic cummerbund. It uses 40 mm buckles at the shoulders and waist. Shoulder straps are anchored to a ring, allowing them to rotate to better adapt to female anatomy. Thick, plushy air-net padding throughout gives the BC excellent overall comfort and increased support to the hips and lower back. The hybrid air cell is very stable in the water, with a natural, balanced swim position. A single tank strap makes for simple setup. Weight pockets incorporate D-rings at the sleeve for additional leverage when loading ballast.

Related Reading: Seeing in Depth: What it Takes to Create Underwater Maps

Spacefish Army

Eco-Friendly Full Zip-up Rash Guard

Available in two different patterns—Psychedelic Mermaid and Cosmic Whale—this rash guard is made using recycled polyester from repurposed single-use plastic. Smooth, comfortable microfiber yarn and four-way stretch fabric ensures maximum comfort and mobility. The plastic front zip allows for easy donning and won’t rust or lock up with salt. Thumbholes allow this suit to easily layer under heavier exposure gear, but the rash guard also provides 50+ UPF/SPF sun protection when worn alone. Matching bottoms are available.

Scubascreen

Eco-Shampoo and Conditioner

ScubaScreen’s organic, chemical-free First Stage shampoo, Second Stage conditioner and Wreck Repair leave-in conditioner are designed to be safe for the environment and great for your hair. They also come in scuba-tank-shaped aluminum bottles that are 100 percent recyclable—each of which incorporates an emergency O-ring for an actual tank valve. The shampoo is pH-balanced with aloe to keep hair strong, shiny and healthy. The conditioner is formulated with rambutan seed extract to protect the scalp. Both are designed for use in fresh or salt water. All three products are infused with tangerine and spearmint essential oils for a refreshing mojito scent. Products can be purchased separately or in gift sets. Bottles use micro pumps to prevent wasting product and make excellent gifts for you or your buddy.

Truli Wetsuits

Truli-Ful The Beautiful

This 5 mm wetsuit is made specifically with women in mind and features a very comfortable, flattering fit. It utilizes a front zip entry with a hidden zipper closure and a long ribbon sewn into the inside of the suit to assist with removal. No Velcro is used, so the suit won’t catch on bathing suits or long hair. Production is currently winding down, with limited sizes and significant discounts available for the Truli-Ful the Beautiful and other suits. If you have ever wanted to be a women’s wetsuit entrepreneur, Truli is currently open to business expansion inquiries. Check Truli’s website for more details.

What this Review is

To celebrate PADI Women’s Dive Day (July 15, 2023), ScubaLab reviewed scuba equipment and accessories geared specifically toward women divers. Instead of our typical head-to-head reviews testing one type of product, the following pages highlight several categories of gear, from wetsuits and BCs to underwater hair-management solutions and marine-safe hair care.