Sharkskin Titanium Top & Bottom Review
The Sharkskin Titanium Top and Bottom are marketed as a lightweight exposure system capable of replacing a 3mm wetsuit with claimed 5mm-equivalent warmth. I tested this set on warm-water dives hoping to reduce bulk while maintaining insulation. That promise did not hold up. Despite correct sizing, the system retained water around the ankles, delivered poor thermal performance, and failed to justify its premium price. After only a few dives, I retired it in favor of either a standard 3mm wetsuit or the Bare Exoware, which actually delivers meaningful warmth in a low-bulk layer.
By Tyler Allison
· Updated July 2025
- Use
- Retired after a few warm-water dives
- Current role
- Replaced by a 3mm wetsuit or Bare Exoware
- Still in my kit
- No
The Short Version
The Titanium set was disappointing in my warm-water use. It was easy to put on and take off, but water collected around the ankles and the warmth did not match what I expected from the advertised claims. I stopped diving it after a few uses and now choose my Bare 3mm wetsuit or Exoware instead.
Would I buy it again? No. I stopped using it after a few dives.
What Works
- Slides on and off easily, even when wet
- Exterior fabric is reasonably durable
What Doesn't
- Thermal performance is nowhere near the advertised 5mm equivalent
- Poor fit results in water pooling at the ankles
- Customer support was nonresponsive to sizing questions both pre and post purchase
- Significantly overpriced compared to wetsuit alternatives that perform better
Why I Chose the Sharkskin Titanium Set
I bought the Sharkskin Titanium Top and Bottom looking for a lighter-weight alternative to a 3mm wetsuit for warm-water trips. The marketing positioned it as a flexible, comfortable system with insulation comparable to much thicker neoprene. On paper, it sounded ideal.
In practice, it failed to meet those claims. Even with correct sizing, the fit allowed water to collect at the ankles, and the thermal performance was disappointing. What I hoped would replace a wetsuit ended up being shelved after only a few dives. Since then, I have switched to the Bare Exoware for sub-3mm conditions, and it has performed exactly the way the Sharkskin Titanium should have.
Who It Makes Sense For
This item is best suited for:
- Divers who prioritize ease of donning over thermal performance
- Situations where insulation expectations are very low
It may not be ideal for:
- Divers expecting reliable warmth equivalent to a wetsuit
- Anyone needing a proper fit that minimizes water movement
- Divers shopping based on performance rather than marketing claims
What It Is Like to Dive
- Thermal Comfort
- Inadequate. It does not feel remotely equivalent to a 5mm or even a 3mm suit.
- Fit
- Sizing is inconsistent, and even when correct, it leaves sagging water pockets at the ankles after dives.
- Ease of Use
- Very easy to get into and out of, which is honestly the best thing I can say about it.
- Practical Use
- I stopped using this after a few dives. I now use either my Bare 3mm wetsuit or the Bare Exoware for sub-3mm conditions, depending on water temperature.
Ownership and Value
The exterior fabric held up reasonably well, but durability did not solve the insulation or fit problems. I also received no useful response to sizing questions before or after purchase. For the price I paid and the warmth I expected, it did not offer enough value to keep using.