Waterproof vs Cressi
W40 vs Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
Which one would we buy?
Waterproof
Cressi
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 W40.
Our pick is Waterproof W40. Our 5 mm shortlist leader for divers who like stretch neoprene and a useful hip pocket.
Which one suits you?
Waterproof W40
Our 5 mm shortlist leader for divers who like stretch neoprene and a useful hip pocket. A great specification cannot compensate for water flushing through a loose fit.
Get to know this model →Cressi Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
We would shortlist the 7 mm Fast when a thicker wetsuit is the brief and the shaped legs suit the diver. More thickness can mean more bulk; fit and personal warmth needs still decide.
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 W40 | Cressi Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5 mm | 7 mm |
| MaterialCheck with the brand | Ultraflex neoprene | Check with the brand |
| Intended conditionsCheck with the brand | Temperate water, subject to fit and personal exposure needs | Check with the brand |
| StorageCheck with the brand | Hip pocket | Check with the brand |
| ColourCheck with the brand | Blue | Check with the brand |
| ConstructionCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Double-lined neoprene with Ultra-Span arm panels |
| EntryCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | YKK back zip with GlideSkin backing |
| CuffsCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Inner water-stop sealing rings |
| Fit featuresCheck with the brand | Check with the brand | Shaped legs and angled neck |
Showing all 9 specification rows.
What the differences mean when you buy
Thickness and intended exposure
Waterproof W40
- Thickness
- 5 mm
- Intended conditions
- Temperate water, subject to fit and personal exposure needs
Cressi Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
- Thickness
- 7 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 W40
Ask the brand about this detail before ordering.
Cressi Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
- Entry
- YKK back zip with GlideSkin backing
- Fit features
- Shaped legs and angled neck
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 W40
- Material
- Ultraflex neoprene
- Storage
- Hip pocket
Cressi Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
- Construction
- Double-lined neoprene with Ultra-Span arm panels
- Cuffs
- Inner water-stop sealing rings
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
W40
The W40 is Waterproof’s blue 5 mm full wetsuit, built from Ultraflex neoprene and fitted with a hip pocket. It is aimed at temperate-water diving, with a close fit intended to reduce flushing. The pocket is a useful distinction from simpler full suits when you want somewhere to stow a small item without adding a separate pouch.
What we like
Our 5 mm shortlist leader for divers who like stretch neoprene and a useful hip pocket.
What would make us think twice
A great specification cannot compensate for water flushing through a loose fit.
More about the W40 →Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man
The men’s Fast 7 mm is a double-lined full wetsuit with Ultra-Span arm panels, shaped legs and a YKK back zip. Inner cuff rings and a GlideSkin backing under the zipper are intended to limit flushing. It is the thicker Fast option to investigate when the 5 mm version does not provide enough protection for your planned dives.
What we like
We would shortlist the 7 mm Fast when a thicker wetsuit is the brief and the shaped legs suit the diver.
What would make us think twice
More thickness can mean more bulk; fit and personal warmth needs still decide.
More about the Fast 7 mm Wetsuit Man →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.
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?
A great specification cannot compensate for water flushing through a loose fit. We would shortlist the 7 mm Fast when a thicker wetsuit is the brief and the shaped legs suit the diver.
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.
