Pinnacle Tempo XT 5 mm Wetsuit: ScubaLab Testers Choice
ScubaLab's test team reviewed and evaluated the Pinnacle Tempo XT 5 mm wetsuit in its latest scuba wetsuit review.
ScubaLab tested the Pinnacle Tempo XT 5 mm wetsuit. For providing exceptional warmth and comfort, it was our Testers Choice for wetsuits over $300.
We tested the Tempt XT 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 were testers scored the wetsuit in seven categories including ease of donning, fit, comfort and warmth.
The Merino wool in the lining of the Tempo XT is pajama soft and exceptionally warm. That made the Tempo XT the rare suit that divers could don when they and the suit were wet and still get warmer throughout a long dive, even on blustery test days. “Hate to take it off,” was a typical tester comment. Effective seals added to the warmup; the zipper seal has a nearly 3-inch wide overlap of thick, smooth skin-lined neoprene that stopped water entry and added extra insulation along the spine, and the rolled smooth skin O-rings at the wrists and smooth skin gussets inside the 8-inch ankle zippers sealed just as well. Together they helped make the Tempo XT the only suit to take excellent scores for comfort, warmth and effectiveness of seals. The suit is ruggedly built, with heavy, abrasion-resistant knee and shoulder pads and reinforcements at internal seam junctions. While comfy once donned, and rated very good for range of motion, the Tempo XT wasn’t the easiest suit to get on and off. Even though testers reported an excellent fit, snug ankles, wrists and shoulders required a bit of tugging to get into place. But for warm comfort, no suit scored higher. The Tempo XT is our Testers Choice for suits over $300.
