Cressi vs Waterproof
Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man vs NEOSKIN
Choose the exposure layer for your conditions before comparing the extras.
Cressi
Waterproof
Scores are our editorial opinion of these models, based on features, suitability and ownership trade-offs—not hands-on test results. How we chose →
We’d pick the Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man.
We’d start with Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man. Our practical 5 mm choice: zipper backing, cuff barriers and reinforced knees are the details we like. Choose Waterproof NEOSKIN instead if its strengths are a better match: our light-layer pick for its stretch construction and thumb and foot loops, useful when keeping the suit in place matters. Thickness and fit come first. Our preference does not make a thinner suit a substitute for the insulation your conditions require.
Which one suits you?
Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
Our practical 5 mm choice: zipper backing, cuff barriers and reinforced knees are the details we like. Try the men's cut through the shoulders and torso before comparing features.
Get to know this model →Waterproof NEOSKIN
Our light-layer pick for its stretch construction and thumb and foot loops, useful when keeping the suit in place matters. The current 1.5 mm specification should not be confused with older listings, and it is not a cold-water suit.
Get to know this model →Specifications side by side
The details that matter, side by side. “Check with the brand” means we have not confirmed that detail.
| Detail | Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man | Waterproof NEOSKIN |
|---|---|---|
| ThicknessCheck with the brand | 5 mm | Check with the brand |
| ConstructionCheck with the brand | Double-lined neoprene; Ultra-Span arm panels | Check with the brand |
| EntryCheck with the brand | YKK back zip | Check with the brand |
| Water barriersCheck with the brand | GlideSkin zipper backing and inner cuff rings | Check with the brand |
| ReinforcementCheck with the brand | Anti-abrasion knee coating | Check with the brand |
| Current official thicknessCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | 1.5 mm |
| MaterialCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Stretch neoprene |
| ZipperCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | YKK #5 Vislon back zip |
| SeamsCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Flatlock; seam-free crotch |
| RetentionCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Thumb and foot loops |
| Article numbersCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | 315-1 men; 315-2 women |
Showing all 11 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Thickness and intended exposure
Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
- Thickness
- 5 mm
Waterproof NEOSKIN
- Current official thickness
- 1.5 mm
Thickness is a useful starting specification, not a complete thermal rating. Fit, water movement, duration, repeated dives and individual response affect the protection required. Compare the actual suit thickness and role rather than transferring a number from an older listing. This comparison does not set a safe minimum water temperature.
Cut, entry and movement
Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
- Entry
- YKK back zip
Waterproof NEOSKIN
- Zipper
- YKK #5 Vislon back zip
Try the correct body cut and size, then check shoulder reach, bending and the entry arrangement. Front and back zippers can affect dressing convenience, but convenience should not override fit. Look for gaps and uncomfortable restriction. A men’s or women’s label alone does not establish that the measurements suit an individual body.
Seams, barriers and wear areas
Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
- Construction
- Double-lined neoprene; Ultra-Span arm panels
- Water barriers
- GlideSkin zipper backing and inner cuff rings
- Reinforcement
- Anti-abrasion knee coating
Waterproof NEOSKIN
- Material
- Stretch neoprene
- Seams
- Flatlock; seam-free crotch
- Retention
- Thumb and foot loops
Read seam and water-barrier descriptions alongside the fit result. A pocket or reinforcement may be useful for a particular job, while a stretch-material name is not a measured flexibility advantage. Where seam details are missing, ask the manufacturer; do not treat absent research as proof that the suit lacks the feature.
A closer look at both
Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
The men’s Fast 5 mm combines double-lined neoprene with stretchy arm panels and shaped legs. It has a back zipper with a GlideSkin backing and internal sealing rings at the wrists and ankles. This makes it a useful temperate-water fitting option if you prefer a straightforward full suit over a hooded semidry.
What we like
Our practical 5 mm choice: zipper backing, cuff barriers and reinforced knees are the details we like.
What would make us think twice
Try the men's cut through the shoulders and torso before comparing features.
More about the Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man →NEOSKIN
NEOSKIN is Waterproof’s thin, full-length neoprene suit. The current official page specifies 1.5 mm material, a back zipper, flatlock seams and thumb and foot loops. Its seam-free crotch and stretchy construction target easy movement and dressing rather than the insulation of a much thicker suit.
What we like
Our light-layer pick for its stretch construction and thumb and foot loops, useful when keeping the suit in place matters.
What would make us think twice
The current 1.5 mm specification should not be confused with older listings, and it is not a cold-water suit.
More about the NEOSKIN →Four checks before you place an order
- Select exposure protection for the planned conditions with appropriate local guidance, then compare suitable thicknesses.
- Try the actual cut and size through the movements needed to reach your equipment.
- Check the neck, cuffs, lower back and zipper area for uncomfortable restriction or obvious gaps.
- Confirm the exact model generation, especially outlet stock, and obtain size-exchange and return conditions.
Ask for a quote for the complete kit, including the accessories you need. That makes the price comparison much more useful.
Price, accessories and owning the equipment
Include any required hood, boots or other compatible exposure equipment when comparing the total purchase. A clearance suit can be good value only if it is the correct model, fits properly and has acceptable condition and return terms. Do not substitute a current premium model’s specifications for an older similarly named suit.
A replacement is easier to justify when it fixes fit, wear or a clearly assessed exposure need. A thicker suit is not automatically the more comfortable or suitable purchase. Follow the specific cleaning and storage instructions, and reassess equipment fit and configuration if changing exposure thickness.
How we scored these models & further reading
These are our subjective buying scores out of 100. We weigh the usefulness of the features, the intended diving or carrying job, and the compromises involved in owning the gear. They are not laboratory measurements, safety grades or customer averages. The verdict applies to the two named models, not everything either brand makes.
90–100: one of our first choices for the stated job. 80–89: a strong option with trade-offs. 70–79: a more specific fit. A different fit, camera, valve or dive plan can change which one you should buy.
Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man
Product details and further reading →Waterproof NEOSKIN
Product details and further reading →Questions worth settling
Are two suits of the same thickness equally warm?
No such conclusion follows from thickness alone. Their cut, water barriers, seams, condition and fit can differ, and the diver’s exposure needs matter. We do not have a controlled thermal comparison that establishes an overall warmth winner for this pair.
Which is the better buy for this particular comparison?
Thickness and fit come first. Our preference does not make a thinner suit a substitute for the insulation your conditions require. Cressi Fast 5 mm Wetsuit Man: Try the men's cut through the shoulders and torso before comparing features. Waterproof NEOSKIN: The current 1.5 mm specification should not be confused with older listings, and it is not a cold-water suit.
Our pick is where we would start. Choose the other model if its fit or features better match your setup—especially where a camera, valve, boot or exposure suit needs an exact match.
