Regular price
£160.00 GBP
Sale price
£160.00 GBP
Regular price
Waterproof
Waterproof W20 2.5mm Shorty Mens
Waterproof W20 2.5mm shorty wetsuit, men's
Most shorties are an afterthought: thin, boxy neoprene that fills with water at the collar and does nothing except stop you burning. The W20 shorty is the exception. It is cut from the same 2.5mm Aquatex super-stretch neoprene as the full W20, on the same 3D pattern, so it seals at the neck, back and thighs and actually keeps a layer of warm water against you.
That makes it a proper dive suit for tropical water, not just a snorkelling top. We recommend it to divers who run warm, to anyone doing single shallow dives in the Red Sea or Caribbean, and to people who want something they can throw on in seconds between dives.
It still gets Waterproof's grip print across the shoulders and seat, which is the one feature that matters most on a thin suit because BCD straps are what wear them out. Among the short suits in our wetsuit collection it is the one we would take on a liveaboard ourselves.
On this page
- 2.5mm Aquatex super-stretch neoprene, 3D anatomical cut
- Flatlock seams with bonded nylon thread
- YKK #10 Vislon back zip with stainless slider
- Polyurethane grip print on shoulders and seat
- Molded PU micro-hook collar tab
- Men's cut, Extra Small through to Triple Extra Large, including a Medium Large
- Plastic-free packaging
Measure before you order
Waterproof sizes on height, weight and chest together and cuts tighter than most brands. A shorty that is too big is useless, because the whole point is the seal at the neck and thighs. Check the chart first.
Why divers choose the W20 shorty
It seals where other shorties gape
The failure mode of a cheap shorty is the collar and the back. Stiff neoprene stands off the skin and every kick pulls fresh water in. The Aquatex neoprene in the W20 has high elastic memory, so the suit stays in contact and the water inside stays warm. You notice the difference most on the second and third dive of the day.
Freedom of movement
Short arms and legs plus a 3D-cut torso means nothing pulls across the shoulders when you reach behind you for a valve or a camera. Less restriction means less effort and less gas used, even on an easy reef dive.
On in seconds, dry in an hour
For a day boat with short surface intervals, or a liveaboard where you are in and out four times a day, a shorty you can pull on without help and that dries between dives is worth a lot. The W20 is that suit.
It lasts
The polyurethane print over the shoulders and seat is the same treatment Waterproof uses on its cold-water suits. It takes the BCD strap abrasion and the rough RIB tubes that chew through plain neoprene within a season.
Features that matter underwater
Aquatex super-stretch neoprene
Soft, elastic and easy to get into. The stretch lets you wear the snug size the chart recommends, which is what makes a 2.5mm suit work.
Flatlock seams
Flat stitched with bonded nylon thread so the seams sit flush against the skin. No chafing at the arm and leg openings, which is where a shorty rubs most.
YKK #10 Vislon back zip
A heavy, salt-resistant zip with a stainless slider. It is the same zip Waterproof fits to its thicker suits and it will outlive the neoprene.
Polyurethane grip shields
Printed directly onto the jersey over the shoulders and seat. They stop BCD straps sliding and protect against boat decks and RIB tubes.
Molded PU collar tab
The micro-hook tab only grips its own landing pad, so it cannot catch on and fray the inside of the suit like ordinary Velcro.
A shorty is a warm-water suit with limits
Bare arms and legs mean no protection from sun, coral, fire coral or jellyfish. For wall dives, wrecks and anywhere with stinging hydroids, the full W20 is the safer choice. Neither suit is suitable for UK water.
Who the W20 shorty is for
- Divers who run warm and find a full suit too much in tropical water
- Snorkellers and freedivers who want a real seal rather than a rash vest
- Divers doing single, shallow dives in the Red Sea, Caribbean or Indian Ocean
- Liveaboard divers who want something fast to get on between dives
- Anyone who needs a second, lighter suit alongside a full one for the warmest days
Who it may not be for: if you get cold easily, or you are doing repetitive dives over a week, or you are diving walls and wrecks with coral and hydroids, take the full suit. The extra minute putting it on is worth it.
Sizing and fit
The men's pattern is cut straight through the torso with a longer body length. The men's W20 shorty runs from Extra Small through to Triple Extra Large, including a Medium Large for people who sit between sizes on height and weight.
It should feel tight on land and ease slightly once wet. Check for gaps at the collar and the small of the back specifically; if water can get in there the suit is too big. The full Waterproof chart is on our size guide page, and we fit these in store if you want to be certain.
Specifications
| Product | Waterproof W20 2.5mm shorty wetsuit, men's |
|---|---|
| Series | W20 warm-water series |
| Neoprene | 2.5mm Aquatex high-elasticity neoprene |
| Seams | Flatlock, bonded nylon thread |
| Zip | YKK #10 Vislon back zip, stainless slider |
| Reinforcement | Polyurethane anti-abrasion print on shoulders and seat |
| Collar | Molded PU micro-hook tab |
| Cut | Men's, 3D pre-bent anatomical pattern, short arm and leg |
| Sizes | Extra Small through to Triple Extra Large, including a Medium Large |
| Packaging | 100% plastic-free |
- Colour: black
- Also available as a full-length suit in the same neoprene
Care and use
A shorty sees more sun than any other suit because it is on deck between dives. Look after it.
- Rinse in fresh water after every dive day and dry in the shade, not on a hot rail in direct sun
- Store on a wide hanger; folding thin neoprene creases it permanently
- Keep sunscreen off the neoprene where possible
- Check the collar tab is sitting on its landing pad before you zip up
- Glue small nicks at the arm and leg openings before they spread
Full suit or shorty?
Tell us where you are diving, how many dives a day and whether you feel the cold, and we will give you a straight answer. That is a question we get asked most weeks in the shop.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Waterproof W20 shorty warm enough for scuba diving?
In tropical water, yes, for divers who do not feel the cold. The seal at the neck and back is much better than a typical shorty, which is what makes it a real dive suit rather than a snorkelling top. For repetitive dives over a week, or if you run cold, take the full W20.
Can I wear the W20 shorty for snorkelling and freediving?
Yes. The stretch and the back zip make it easy to get on and off, and the 2.5mm neoprene gives a little buoyancy and sun protection without restricting a duck dive.
Does the W20 shorty protect against coral and jellyfish?
Only on the torso and upper arms and thighs. Your forearms and lower legs are bare. For walls, wrecks and sites with fire coral or hydroids, the full-length W20 is the safer option.
What size Waterproof W20 shorty should I order?
Use Waterproof's chart with your height, weight and chest together rather than assuming your usual size. The suit is cut snug on purpose. If you sit between sizes, there is a Medium Large for that.
Will a BCD wear through the W20 shorty?
The shoulders and seat carry a polyurethane print specifically to resist BCD strap and boat deck abrasion. It is the same protection Waterproof uses on its thicker suits.
How does the W20 shorty compare to a rash vest?
A rash vest stops sunburn and nothing else. The shorty adds 2.5mm of insulation, a seal at the neck and back, and abrasion protection where a BCD sits. If you are diving rather than swimming, the shorty is the better buy.
Want full coverage instead? The W20 full wetsuit adds long arms and legs, a hip pocket and ToughTex knees in the same neoprene, and you can compare both against the rest of the Waterproof wetsuits we stock.