Many tropical water divers do not like wearing neoprene suits as they can feel more constricting or too warm. They ditch their wetsuit for the more comfortable and freeing scuba leggings.
Dive leggings are made from stretchy, quick-drying, and breathable fabrics which makes them perfect to use not just underwater but also on land. Designed with fit, functionality, and fun in mind, this versatile activewear is gaining popularity among scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers.
Dive leggings are becoming a favorite scuba attire among warm water divers not just for their comfort and protection but because it also makes them look good while using them.
If you are uncertain if you should get one for yourself, here are some of the reasons why you might need or want a pair of leggings for diving:
Protection
If you don’t want to wear a protective wetsuit while in the water, wearing scuba leggings can do a great job protecting you from abrasions and stinging animals like jellyfish.
The dive leggings are also constructed with special materials that can protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. This lessens the risks of sunburn and eliminates the need for reef-safe sunscreen on your legs while you are having fun in the water or under the sun.
Comfort and Convenience
Many scuba divers wear dive leggings to make it easy to get in and out of their wetsuits. Leggings make it faster and smoother for divers to slide into the tight-fitting neoprene.
Dive legging can also be worn on land and they can be very comfortable to wear. You can wear your scuba leggings while doing land-based activities like exercising, doing errands, walking about town, or even lounging at home.
Hygiene
Another good reason to wear dive leggings is for your personal hygiene. Wearing leggings can also prevent chafing and rashes on sensitive areas like your inner thighs, buttocks, and groins.
If you are diving with a rental wetsuit, wearing leggings can be more hygienic. While dive centers clean their wetsuit rentals, you just never know how well they sanitize them. You also don’t know how clean and healthy the people who used the wetsuits were prior to you.
Look Good and Stand Out
Another reason why divers love wearing leggings is it makes them stand out underwater and look good on land all the time.
Gone are the days when scuba diving gear and equipment is only in neutral colors of black or neon colors. Nowadays you don’t even have to wear a plain wetsuit.
Dive leggings offer unique prints and colors that can match your personality and style. It also makes it easier for others like your dive buddy or dive guide in identifying you while underwater.
The designs on the leggings also make excellent conversational pieces while you’re on the surface. Many divers wear ocean-inspired prints to raise awareness about their favorite marine animals or to encourage the conservation of our ocean.
If you would like to buy your scuba diving leggings, here are the best places to get them:
1. Waterlust Leggings for Diving
Waterlust is a small, family-owned, ocean company that was started by Patrick and Fiona Rynne, and Laura Graham. As scuba divers, kiters, sailors, and surfers themselves, they create eco-friendly and purpose-driven clothing for men and women like them.
Their sustainable clothing collections are made from 88% Repreve® RPET (recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles) fabrics that feature different marine science topics that they champion. When you purchase a Waterlust product, 10% of the profits support conservation and research partners.
What you’ll love about Waterlust’s dive leggings:
- Best known for their whale shark leggings
- Made from 88% Repreve® RPET (recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles), 12% spandex
- Resilient 4-way stretch and recovery for shape retention in and out of the water
- Provides UPF 50+ sun protection
- Quick-dry, moisture-wicking and breathable fabric
- 100% chlorine, sun, saltwater and sunscreen resistant
- Streamlined pockets on the side of both legs for your phone, wallet, snacks or sunscreen
- 10% of profits from the sales of this product will be donated
Click here for Waterlust’s leggings for men
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Shipping: Worldwide from the United States
If you’re looking for whale shark print scuba leggings, check out my post on 9 Best whale shark leggings for your active lifestyle
2. Blue Adaptation
Blue Adaptation is another female-owned business that began because of a scuba diver’s love for the ocean. Jaime founded this luxe and sustainable swim & activewear brand for the environmentally conscious diver. Her diving apparel features beautiful reproductions of some of the most wonderful creatures in the sea.
What you’ll love about Blue Adaptation’s dive leggings:
- 2-way minimal-stretch fabric that feels like a compressive second-skin
- Compression-style garments are known for enhancing performance by allowing optimal blood flow & overall reduction in post-sport soreness
- Comfortable & secure stay-put elastic waistband
- Ultra-lightweight and extremely quick drying which is perfect when packing for dive travel
- Chlorine and sunscreen resistant
- Fabric printed with an environmentally-friendly digital process that reduces waste & utilizes zero water for garment dyeing
- The leggings be paired with a matching bikini, rashguards, or shorts of the same pattern.
Available Sizes: XS-3XL depending on design, custom sizing is available upon request.
Shipping: Worldwide from the United States
3. Spacefish Army Leggings
Spacefish Army is a woman-owned business that began in 2018. The idea to start a business was born when Morgan could not find anything fun to wear while working as a divemaster. Combining her passion for the ocean and her talent for designs, she created Spacefish Army for divers, snorkelers, surfers, and ocean lovers of all shapes and sizes. As part of their advocacy, 10% of their profits are donated to ocean conservation programs each year.
What you’ll love about Spacefish Army scuba leggings:
- Made with four-way stretch 82% polyester and 18% spandex material
- Smooth and comfortable yarn texture
- Perfect to use for scuba diving, yoga, hiking, surfing, or lounging
- Plus Sizes (2XL – 6XL) options are available
- Open to customization (ex. request for shorter capri length)
If you’re looking for scuba gifts for men, Spacefish Army also has dive skin pants for the male form. Click here for Spacefish Army leggings for men.
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL, custom sizing is available upon request.
Shipping: Worldwide from the United States
For a 10% Discount at Spacefish Army, use Coupon Code: DIVERBLISS
4. Mantaraj
Mantaraj is a Sweden-based company driven by a deep passion for the ocean. Comprised of scuba divers, surfers, and yogis, the team embraces a digital nomad lifestyle, working from breathtaking beaches and dive sites worldwide. Their product line exclusively features original designs, reflecting their commitment to providing practical and aesthetically pleasing swimwear and scuba-related items. Mantaraj aims to contribute to the community by offering high-quality, unique products that align with their customers’ active and water-centric lifestyles. They invite you to explore and enjoy their collection, hoping that their products resonate with your love for the ocean.
What you’ll love about these scuba leggings:
- UPF 50+ Sun Protection Certified
- Designed to fit snug and streamline to the body for optimum performance
- 4-Way stretch fabric allows the garment to move with you for comfort while active in the sun
- Made with a smooth, comfortable 85% polyester, 18% spandex microfiber yarn
- Precision-cut and hand-sewn after printing
Available Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL
Shipping: Worldwide from USA, Mexico and Latvia
5. Scuba Sisters Leggings
Scuba Sisters was born on a dive boat filled with female scuba divers who noticed the lack of ocean-inspired apparel for women. Tired of being asked to fit in scuba gear and garments made for men, Wendy created Scuba Sisters to cater to women scuba divers and ocean lovers like herself. The brand loves to incorporate underwater animals and patterns into clothes women of all shapes and sizes can wear every day.
If you’re looking for gifts for women who scuba, Scuba Sisters has a wide range of products that your scuba sister will surely love.
What you’ll love about these scuba diving leggings:
- Made with smooth and comfortable 80% polyester, 20% spandex fabric
- Provides 40 UPF sun protection
- Unique designs are printed using eco-friendly inks, cut, and hand-sewn
- Comfy and stretch make it perfect to be used as dive leggings, swim leggings, for exercising, lounging, snorkeling, bicycling, yoga, running, running errands, and more
- 4-way stretch fabric is not see through or too warm
- Has rashguard designs to match
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, Plus Sizes 2XL – 6XL
Shipping: Ships worldwide from the United States
Get a Girls That Scuba private membership to enjoy exclusive deals at Scuba Sisters.
6. Nudi wear
Nudi Wear, born from the passion of Hawaiian divers Ryan and Christ, marries style with environmental consciousness. This innovative brand offers quality apparel for divers and ocean lovers, emphasizing sustainability without sacrificing design. Each product, crafted from recycled materials and eco-friendly dyes, pledges allegiance to the seas. Nudi Wear isn’t just clothing; it’s a statement. By supporting ocean conservation and reducing waste, it champions a future where fashion respects nature.
Why you’ll love the dive leggings from Nudi Wear:
- 4-way stretch for comfort and retaining their shape in and out of the water
- Pocket on back waistband with corrosion proof zipper
- Will not fade from sun, saltwater, or chlorine
- Quick drying and odor resistant fabric
- UPF0+ Sun Protection
- Made from recycled plastic bottles sourced from within the USA
- 10% of profits are donated towards ocean conservation
Sizes Available: XS – 2XL
7. Wanderlust Hats
Wanderlust Hats, established in 2019, is a venture born out of the founder’s passion for hats, apparel, and diving. Based in the Florida Keys, Wanderlust Hats strives to promote an ocean-loving, conservation-oriented lifestyle through their apparel. Each sale supports local nonprofit ICARE, focused on coral restoration. The company is dedicated to eco-conscious practices, employing recyclable packaging materials and transitioning towards recycled plastics for their leggings and rash guards. Wanderlust Hats combines style, sustainability, and support for ocean conservation.
What you’ll love about these leggings for diving:
- Made of 95% Polyester and 5% Spandex
- UPF 50+ Sun Protection
- Designed by Shark advocates
- Designed with comfort and strength in mind.
- With every purchase, a donation is made to out planting corals in Islamorada with I.Care.
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Shipping: Worldwide from the United States
8. Xcel
What you’ll love about these sport pants:
- Premium 8-Ounce, 4-Way Stretch Fabric
- Comfortable, Snug “Second Skin” Fit
- Tested & UPF rated to block over 98% UVA/UVB radiation
Available Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Shipping: Worldwide from United States
9. Scuba Pro
What you’ll love about these active sports swim tights:
- UPF 80 rating
- Made from a blend of 86% super-soft nylon and 14% high-stretch spandex.
- Lightweight, easy to care for, and dries quickly
- Fabric stretch allows for comfort and form-fitting styling.
- Form-fitting for that sleek hydrodynamic look and feel.
Available Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
Shipping: Worldwide from United States
10. Slipins Sea Legs
Founded by Robin Chesnie and Rick Rickman, Slipins began as a brand selling dive skins to help divers and surfers get in and out of their wetsuits with ease. Today, their brand has evolved to cater to the growing community of surfers, divers, and other water sports enthusiasts. Slipins offers not just full-body dive skins but also protective swimsuits, leggings, dive socks, dive buffs, and more.
What you’ll love about these scuba leggings for women
- Provides 50+ UPF sun protection, blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays
- Quick-drying, 4-way stretch, breathable fabric
- Not see-through, wet or dry
- Perfect as scuba diving leggings, or for any water or land activity
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Shipping: Worldwide from the United States
11. SeaMorgens Leggings
Sea Morgens is an eco-friendly swimwear brand by British dive instructor Michelle Morgan. Combining her passion for scuba diving and fashion, she started designing fun, comfortable and supportive swimwear for women. After witnessing firsthand the negative effects of single-use plastics in our oceans, she knew she needed to create a business that is environmentally friendly, as well. So Sea Morgens makes use of recycled polyester and recycled nylon for their swimwear range.
What you’ll love about these scuba diver leggings:
- Made with recycled PET plastic bottles and abandoned ocean fishing nets
- Unique ocean-inspired designs
- Soft and luxurious, two-way stretch material provides factor 50 UV protection
- Sustainable and eco-conscious brand Zero plastic fastenings, accessories, or packaging
- Tested for various ocean sports like scuba diving, freediving, stand up paddleboarding, and more
Available Sizes: 6-18 UK Sizing (2-14 USA Sizing)
Shipping: Ships worldwide from the United Kingdom
Get a Girls That Scuba private membership to enjoy exclusive deals at Sea Morgens.
12. Naomi Gittoes Eco Dive Leggings
Naomi Gittoes is an Australian yoga and meditation teacher, freediving instructor, and cave diver. She is also an artist known for her unique designs on themes of nature, humanity, environmental concerns, universal unity, and spiritual transcendence. Recently, she launched a label producing art-inspired Eco Dive Fashion for ocean lovers everywhere. Her original handpainted artworks are now wearable art in the form of dive fins, swimsuits, and leggings.
What you’ll love about these eco-friendly dive leggings:
- Made from Advanced Recycled techno-fabric using recycled polyester fiber from post-consumer materials (78% Recycled polyester and 22% extra life Lycra)
- Provides UV 50+ protection
- Material is quick dry and chlorine resistant
- Unisex fit for men and women
Available Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Shipping: Worldwide from Australia
Did you know that your scuba leggings will go well with rash guards! Make sure to check out my post on the Best Scuba Diving Rash Guards for Women of Different Styles, Shapes, and Sizes
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Do you wear dive leggings while scuba diving? What is your favorite scuba diving leggings brand? Leave a comment below!