Waterproof vs Sherwood Scuba
W20 vs Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
Which one would we buy?
Waterproof
Sherwood Scuba
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 Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit.
Our pick is Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit. We like its 5 mm stretch neoprene and glued, blind-stitched seams for a conventional full-suit setup.
Which one suits you?
Waterproof W20
We like W20 for warm-water trips when a 2.5 mm full suit is the right amount of coverage. We would not choose it as an all-season substitute for a thicker suit.
Get to know this model →Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
We like its 5 mm stretch neoprene and glued, blind-stitched seams for a conventional full-suit setup. Back-zip access is less convenient if you prefer getting into a suit entirely on your own.
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 | Waterproof W20 | Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 2.5 mm | 5 mm |
| Material | Aquatex stretch neoprene | Quantum Stretch neoprene |
| Intended useCheck with the brand | Warm-water diving | Check with the brand |
| FitCheck with the brand | Close-fitting anatomical design | Check with the brand |
| SeamsCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Glued and blind stitched |
| EntryCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Back zipper with long pull cord |
| CutCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Men’s; topographical graphic |
Showing all 7 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Thickness and intended exposure
Waterproof W20
- Thickness
- 2.5 mm
- Intended use
- Warm-water diving
Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
- Thickness
- 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
Waterproof W20
- Fit
- Close-fitting anatomical design
Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
- Cut
- Men’s; topographical graphic
- Entry
- Back zipper with long pull cord
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
Waterproof W20
- Material
- Aquatex stretch neoprene
Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
- Material
- Quantum Stretch neoprene
- Seams
- Glued and blind stitched
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
W20
The W20 is a 2.5 mm wetsuit made from stretchy Aquatex neoprene. Waterproof positions it for warmer water, where a light full suit can provide coverage without the bulk of its 5 mm models. Its appeal is straightforward: a flexible, close-fitting suit for divers who do not need a thick exposure layer for the planned conditions.
What we like
We like W20 for warm-water trips when a 2.5 mm full suit is the right amount of coverage.
What would make us think twice
We would not choose it as an all-season substitute for a thicker suit.
More about the W20 →Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
The men’s SSMC is Sherwood’s Marine Conservation 5 mm full suit, using Quantum Stretch neoprene with glued and blind-stitched seams. Abrasion-resistant knees and a rear zipper with a long pull cord are the principal practical features. The men’s version uses its own sizing and a topographical graphic rather than the women’s wave pattern.
What we like
We like its 5 mm stretch neoprene and glued, blind-stitched seams for a conventional full-suit setup.
What would make us think twice
Back-zip access is less convenient if you prefer getting into a suit entirely on your own.
More about the Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit →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.
Waterproof W20
Product details and further reading →Sherwood Scuba Men's SSMC 5mm Back Zip Wetsuit
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?
Back-zip access is less convenient if you prefer getting into a suit entirely on your own. We like W20 for warm-water trips when a 2.5 mm full suit is the right amount of coverage.
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.
