10 Best Dive Skins 2025 in the United States

The O'Neill Men's Basic Skins UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard is a solid choice for anyone looking for lightweight protection during water activities like surfing, swimming, or paddle sports. Made from a blend of 87% polyester and 13% spandex, it offers a stretchy, snug fit that feels like a second skin without being restrictive. The material is relatively thin but durable, designed to dry quickly and move easily with your body thanks to its 4-way stretch fabric. It features flatlock stitching and minimal seam placement, which helps reduce skin irritation and chafing—a big plus if you’re spending long hours in the water.

One of its standout features is the UPF 50+ rating, providing excellent protection against harmful UV rays, making it a safe pick for sunny days at the beach. The design includes strategic paddle zones without seams to enhance comfort during activities involving arm movement. However, it requires hand washing, which might be less convenient compared to machine-washable options. While it doesn’t add much thickness, so it won’t provide any insulation in colder water, this rash guard is great as a protective layer to prevent sunburn and skin irritation.

For those seeking a comfortable, protective, and well-fitting rash guard primarily intended for warmer water and sun protection, this product is a suitable option.

The O'Neill Men's Hyperfreak 1mm Long Sleeve Top is made from TechnoButter 3 neoprene, which is a standout material offering lightweight comfort and less water absorption compared to other neoprenes. At 1mm thickness, it provides good flexibility and warmth for mild water conditions, making it a solid choice for divers or paddlers who want freedom of movement without bulk. The top has a close but comfortable fit, especially in the XX-Large size, tailored for a taller frame. Its flatlock stitched breathable seams reduce chafing, though they may not be fully waterproof, so this suit is better for surface water activities rather than deep, long dives.

The reversible design and boardshort connector add versatility and convenience. It also offers strong UV protection (50+ UPF), which is great for sun exposure during extended use. On the downside, the 1mm thickness limits warmth in colder water and the seams, while comfortable, are not ideal for serious cold-water diving.

If you want a lightweight, flexible, and sun-protective dive-skin top for warm conditions or paddling, this suit performs very well. For colder or more demanding dive environments, a thicker wetsuit with sealed seams might be a better fit.

The O'Neill Men's Basic Skins UPF 50+ Rash Guard is a solid choice if you're looking for a comfortable and protective layer for water activities like surfing, swimming, or paddle sports. Made from a stretchy 6oz polyester/spandex blend, it offers a snug, second-skin fit that helps reduce chafing and irritation. The minimal seams are designed to prevent rashes, which is important if you spend a lot of time in the water.

One of its biggest advantages is the UPF 50+ rating, meaning it blocks most harmful UV rays, and it’s even recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. This makes it a smart pick for sunny beach days. However, it's worth noting this is a short sleeve rash guard, so it won’t provide full arm coverage if that’s something you need. Also, it requires hand washing, which might be a bit less convenient than machine-washable options.

The material is lightweight and durable but not very thick, so if you want something for colder water, this might not be warm enough on its own. It performs well as a basic protective skin for warmer water sports and casual beach use, especially if UV protection and comfort are your top priorities.