Regular price
£395.00 GBP
Sale price
£395.00 GBP
Regular price
Waterproof
Waterproof W40 Wetsuit 5mm Ladies
Waterproof W40 5mm full wetsuit, ladies'
The W40 is a 5mm suit for temperate water that does not feel like a 5mm suit. Waterproof's UltraFlex neoprene and 3D pattern give it the fit of a thin tropical suit with the insulation you need for the Mediterranean, the Red Sea in winter, the Canaries or a warm Atlantic summer. It is the suit we reach for when 3mm is not enough and a semi-dry is too much.
What sets it apart from the other 5mm suits we sell is the detail. Zipped ankles so you can get it on over boots without a fight, a hip pocket that takes a spool and SMB, ToughTex knees, and a grip print on the forearms so your computer does not slide as the neoprene compresses at 30 metres.
It comes in Waterproof's deep blue with a clean Scandinavian look, and in our experience it is the best-fitting 5mm in our wetsuits range for divers who have struggled to get a close fit from other brands.
On this page
- 5mm UltraFlex high-stretch neoprene, 3D anatomical cut
- Flatlock seams with bonded nylon thread
- YKK #10 Vislon back zip plus YKK ankle zips
- Hip utility pocket with drain valves
- ToughTex knee armour, polyurethane grip on shoulders and seat
- Computer anchor print on the forearms
- Ladies' cut, Extra Small through to Double Extra Large, including a Medium Large
Check the Waterproof chart before ordering
Waterproof sizes on height, weight and chest together and cuts closer than most. A 5mm suit that is a size too big is cold no matter how thick it is. Measure and check, or ask us.
Why divers choose the W40
Warmth comes from fit, not just thickness
Most 5mm suits use stiff neoprene that bunches behind the knees and stands off the small of the back, and water pumps through with every kick. The UltraFlex neoprene in the W40 has a high rebound memory, so it stays against the skin and the water inside warms up and stays there. That is why a well-fitted W40 is warmer than a badly fitted 7mm.
Easier to get on than any 5mm we sell
The ankle zips are the feature people thank us for. Getting a snug 5mm suit over dive boots is the part everyone hates, and zipped lower legs turn it into a ten-second job. The stretch in the neoprene does the rest.
Less effort underwater
Pre-bent arms and legs mean the suit sits in a swimming position at rest, so you are not fighting it with every fin stroke. Over a 50-minute dive that is a real difference in gas consumption, especially for newer divers who are already working hard.
Hard-wearing where it counts
ToughTex knees, polyurethane print across the shoulders and seat, and a marine-grade zip. This suit is built for shore entries, RIBs and a BCD worn tight. We do not see many W40s back with worn-through knees or shoulders.
Features that matter underwater
UltraFlex neoprene
A high-stretch 5mm neoprene that goes on easily and holds its shape. It compresses at depth like any neoprene, but it recovers well, which keeps the fit consistent dive after dive.
YKK ankle zips
Heavy-duty zips on the lower legs open the ankle wide for boots, then close for a flush seal over them. They are the single biggest convenience difference between this and a plain 5mm suit.
Hip utility pocket
An expanding pocket with drain valves for a spool and SMB, slate or backup mask. It is positioned to clear a weight belt and BCD waist strap.
Computer anchor print
Non-slip polyurethane lines on the forearms keep a wrist computer or gauge from rotating as the suit compresses. Anyone who has had a Perdix or Descent slide round to the inside of their wrist at depth will appreciate it.
Flatlock seams
Flat stitched with bonded nylon thread, flush against the skin and very durable. Flatlock is not fully watertight, which is fine at 5mm in temperate water and is the right choice for flexibility, but it is why this is not a semi-dry.
YKK #10 Vislon back zip and PU collar tab
A marine-grade back zip with a stainless slider, and a micro-hook collar tab that only grips its own landing pad so it cannot fray the lining.
Where the W40 fits in UK diving
A 5mm flatlock suit is at the limit for UK sea diving at the warmest point of summer, and only with a hood and gloves and for divers who tolerate cold well. For most UK diving you want a 7mm semi-dry or a drysuit. The W40 is ideal for the Med, Canaries, Red Sea in winter, warm Atlantic and as a travel suit for anyone who finds 3mm too cold.
Who the W40 is for
- Divers heading to the Mediterranean, Canaries, Azores or the Red Sea in winter
- Anyone who gets cold in a 3mm suit on repetitive tropical dives
- Divers who have struggled to get a 5mm suit to fit closely
- Shore divers and RIB divers who need knees and shoulders that last
- Divers who carry a spool and SMB and want a pocket built in
Who it may not be for: UK divers looking for a year-round suit. For that you want a 7mm semi-dry or a drysuit, and we will tell you that in store rather than sell you a 5mm. If you only dive tropical water, the 2.5mm W20 is lighter and plenty warm enough.
Sizing and fit
The ladies' W40 is a separate pattern with more room at the hips and chest and a shorter body length, which is where unisex 5mm suits usually let water in. The ladies' W40 runs from Extra Small through to Double Extra Large, including a Medium Large, for divers who fall between sizes on height and weight.
It should feel firm everywhere on land with no folds behind the knees or at the lower back, and it relaxes slightly in the water. The ankle zips mean you can order the snug size without worrying about getting it over boots. The full Waterproof chart is on our size guide page, and we fit these in store.
Specifications
| Product | Waterproof W40 5mm full wetsuit, ladies' |
|---|---|
| Series | W40 temperate-water series |
| Neoprene | 5mm UltraFlex high-elasticity neoprene |
| Seams | Flatlock, bonded nylon thread |
| Zips | YKK #10 Vislon back zip (torso), YKK leg zips (ankles) |
| Reinforcement | ToughTex knee armour, polyurethane anti-slip overlays on shoulders and seat |
| Expanding hip utility pocket with drain valves | |
| Collar | Molded PU micro-hook adjuster tab |
| Cut | Ladies', 3D pre-bent anatomical pattern |
| Sizes | Extra Small through to Double Extra Large, including a Medium Large |
| Colour | Blue |
| Packaging | 100% plastic-free |
- Matching men's W40 available in a separate cut
- Pairs with Waterproof hoods, gloves and boots for cooler water
Care and use
A 5mm suit is an investment. A few habits keep it warm and flexible for years.
- Rinse thoroughly in fresh water after each day, including the ankle zips and the pocket drains
- Dry inside out first, in the shade, on a wide wetsuit hanger
- Run a little zip lubricant on the YKK zips a few times a season
- Put boots on first, then zip the ankles closed over them for a flush seal
- Store hanging, unfolded, away from heat and sunlight
Need help choosing between 5mm and semi-dry?
Tell us where you dive and how you feel the cold and we will give you a straight recommendation. We dive in both.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Waterproof W40 5mm warm enough for the UK?
Only at the very warmest point of summer, with a hood and gloves, and only for divers who tolerate cold well. For most UK diving we recommend a 7mm semi-dry or a drysuit. The W40 is a temperate-water suit: the Mediterranean, Canaries, Red Sea in winter and similar.
Why does the W40 have ankle zips?
To get a snug 5mm suit on over dive boots without a struggle. They open the ankle wide for entry and close for a flush seal. Once you have had them you will not want a 5mm suit without them.
Is the Waterproof W40 a semi-dry suit?
No. It uses flatlock seams, which let a small amount of water through by design. A semi-dry uses glued and blind-stitched seams with wrist and ankle seals to keep water out. The W40 is more flexible than a semi-dry and aimed at warmer water.
Does the W40 have a pocket for an SMB?
Yes. The hip utility pocket expands to take a spool and SMB, a slate or a backup mask, and it has drain valves so it empties on the surface.
Should I size up in the Waterproof W40?
No, not without checking the chart. Waterproof cuts close on purpose and uses height, weight and chest together. The Medium Large exists for people who fall between sizes. A 5mm suit that is too big is a cold suit.
Will my dive computer stay put on the W40?
Yes. There is a non-slip polyurethane print on the forearms specifically so a wrist computer or gauge does not rotate as the neoprene compresses at depth.
The W40 pairs with Waterproof's own hoods, gloves and boots for cooler days, all of which you will find in our Waterproof collection, and the men's W40 is cut on a separate pattern if you are buying for a partner.