Wetsuit Diving in Cold Water

ScubaPro - MK19 EVO / G260

Cold-water ready and turret-equipped, it delivers proven reliability and performance. I chose it for its serviceability, local support, and trusted track record among Lake Michigan divers and it hasn’t disappointed.

Halcyon - Long Hose Stick

A simple but flawless piece of kit, it provides perfect long hose retention without a canister light or tucking. It mounts cleanly to a backplate harness and never snags, slips, or fails. This is now my standard for all long hose dives.

xDeep - Zen - Stainless Steel

This stainless steel Zen has become my dedicated cold-water rig thanks to its stable trim, wide plate, and modular harness options. I originally tried the deluxe harness, but eventually switched to a standard webbing setup for cleaner light and accessory stowage.

Halcyon - Weighted Single Tank Adapter

Adds 6 pounds of non-ditchable ballast in line with your spine to reduce the need for weight around your hips and improve trim control.

xDeep - Weight Pockets

I use xDeep's trim and Secure Weight Pockets in my wetsuit and drysuit setups. After more than a hundred quarry, wreck, and cenote dives, they remain stable and dependable on my xDeep backplate. The tradeoff is the harness pockets' cumbersome buckle system: retention is secure, but underwater reinsertion is difficult and slow.

Atomic - Venom Frameless Mask

High-clarity frameless mask with exceptional comfort and prescription lens compatibility. Excellent fit for larger faces. Neoprene strap upgrade and bifocal lenses make it my primary mask, with a second non-Rx version always carried as a backup.

Stream2Sea - Mask Defog

My default anti-fog solution for both freshwater and saltwater diving. I use it in quarries, Lake Michigan, and on ocean dives, and it has proven far more reliable than spit, baby shampoo, or random boat defogs. It continues working even if the mask floods or gets dunked during setup, and it is the only defog I trust around aquatic environments. It costs more than DIY options, but the reliability easily justifies the per-dive cost.

Bare - Velocity (5mm)

My go-to wetsuit for dives that are too cold for my 3mm but don’t require a drysuit. I bought it used in near-new condition, and it fits perfectly thanks to Bare’s XLT sizing. It’s warm, reliable, and fills an important middle role in my dive kit. I’d absolutely buy it again if I needed to replace it.

Altama - Maritime Assault Mid

A hybrid dive boot designed for divers who want real traction, fast drainage, and the ability to wear the same footwear on and off the boat. I have used these boots for boat diving, quarry and shore entries, and pool work, both wet and dry, paired with a wetsuit. They drain faster than any wetsuit boot I have owned and are comfortable enough to wear as street shoes before and after diving. After switching to these, I threw out my other wetsuit boots.

H2 Bib 3/5mm

O'Neill Rashguard (Top/Bottom)

WetSox Therms

Bare - Ultrawarmth Glove (5mm)

A standout wet glove for serious divers who want warmth and dexterity without bulk. These Bare Ultrawarmth gloves fit like a second skin, stay warm in cold water, and hold up to repeated use without fraying or flushing. I’ve used them extensively in both wetsuit and drysuit dives down to the low 50s and was impressed enough to buy a backup pair. They outperform cheaper gloves by a wide margin.

Halcyon - Tech Shorts

The best wetsuit-compatible storage solution I’ve found. These shorts deliver real drysuit-style pocket performance without compromise, giving me consistency across wetsuit dives that matches my drysuit rig. They’re rugged, drain well, and ride securely without shifting. I use them over everything from 7mm suits to rashguards

OMS - Slipstream Fins

A medium-stiff paddle fin designed specifically for cold-water and drysuit diving where control matters more than raw speed. I use these fins primarily with a drysuit, steel backplate, and long bottom times in quarries and cold water. Compared to stiffer alternatives, they deliver smoother power and reduce leg fatigue without giving up precision. They are not travel fins, but they excel in the environment they were built for.

Shearwater - Tern TX

The Tern TX is now my backup computer to the Perdix, and I would dive either wherever and whenever I dive. Its compact size, clear display, and dependable air integration have earned my trust across pool training, local quarry work, and warm-water travel. Backup describes its place in my setup, not a limit on where I would use it.

AMX - Shearwater Screen Protectors

Shearwater - Perdix 2 + Air Integration

If you are looking for a dive computer you can rely on every single dive, the Shearwater Perdix 2 AI has earned that reputation. It is not trying to be fashionable or gadgety. It is built to deliver rock solid performance without clutter. After using it across drysuit dives in cold Midwestern quarries and reef dives in Fiji, I trust this computer more than anything else in my kit.

OrcaTorch - D720

A reliable, adjustable-beam primary dive light that performs across all environments. The Orcatorch D720 has been with me on every dive for over a year, delivering consistent brightness, flexible beam control, and durable construction. Whether I’m diving cold quarries, guiding students, or traveling for warm water, this light adapts to the conditions and never lets me down.

OrcaTorch - D710

A compact, budget-friendly dive light that exceeded expectations across 100 dives. The Orcatorch D710 was my primary for a full year and now serves as a trusted backup on every dive. With solid brightness, dependable performance, and zero failures, it remains a simple but reliable part of my core kit.

Suunto - SK8

One of the most reliable analog compasses available. It is fast-settling, highly accurate, and easy to read even in low visibility. I’ve used it on every dive for the past two years with a bungee mount and have never had a performance issue. If you want a compass that simply works, without bubbles, drift, or delay, this is it.

Trilobite - Cutting Tool

Emergency Whistle

AL80 Tanks (DIN)

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB (slim)

Halcyon - Defender Spools

Highland - Deluxe Wet Notes

A dependable, pocket-sized underwater notebook that have earned a permanent place in my dive kit. I’ve used them for mapping, communication, and training dives across a wide range of conditions without a single issue. The Cordura cover, waterproof pages, and internal bungee loop keep everything secure and usable, even in cold or overhead environments. I swapped the pencil for a graphite one, but otherwise left it stock. The clear internal sleeve adds optional versatility. For divers who write underwater regularly, this is one of the best-value options available.

Rainleaf - Microfiber Towel

xDeep - Bolt Snaps

Premium build quality, glove-friendly usability, and consistent performance across all environments. After over 100 dives using all sizes in both recreational and technical roles, they’ve replaced every other snap in my kit. The slightly larger gate gap and easier-to-grip trigger make them worth the modest price difference, especially in cold water or when wearing thick gloves. They’ve proven completely reliable with zero corrosion or spring failure. If you want one bolt snap to trust across your entire rig, this is it.