Cressi Otterflex 5 mm Wetsuit Review: ScubaLab Testers Choice
ScubaLab's test team reviewed and evaluated the Cressi Otterflex 5 mm wetsuit in its latest scuba wetsuit review.
ScubaLab tested the Cressi Otterflex 5 mm wetsuit. Comfortable and capable, it was our Testers Choice for 5 mm wetsuits under $300.
We tested the Otterflex at Alexander Springs and Devils Den in Central Florida and Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach, Florida, with water temperatures in the lower 70s. We conducted a series of test dives where testers scored the wetsuit in seven categories including ease of donning, fit, comfort and warmth.
Unique among the wide variety of wrist and ankle seals in our test, those on the Otterflex have a band of stretchy liquid seal forming a ring just inside each cuff. Cressi calls this feature the Water Stop System, and test divers found the name appropriate. Only about three eighths of an inch wide (10 mm), the seals kept water entry to a minimum, were easy to get on and off and were comfortable throughout the dive. That helped the Otterflex take excellent scores for effective seals, ease of donning and doffing and comfort. “I could live in this,” commented one test diver. The arms and ankles are made with slightly thinner neoprene than the rest of the suit, which helped the Otterflex earn a very good score for range of motion. Despite the thinner material and relatively smooth lining throughout, it was scored very good for warmth, thanks to the effective seals and zipper closures.
Chosen as a favorite of multiple test divers, the Otterflex is our Testers Choice for suits under $300.
