Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry - Review 2023

The Northern Diver 7mm rear entry semi-dry wetsuit is thick and warm, with two layers and provides excellent protection from the cold for divers. The Rear Entry YKK Aquaseal zipper is sealed with a neoprene protective zip cover, minimising the amount of water entering the suit and keeping the interior dry.

Good seals at the neck, ankles and wrists are snug yet comfortable. It’ll keep a great deal of warmth contained inside the suit for fall and spring diving. It can also be used as a kayak or paddle board suit during colder months.

The wetsuit is made with a super stretchy material, the super-stretch DFN-Ultragrade neoprene, making it a very tight fitting wetsuit that is comfortable to wear and easy to move in. The tight seals and two layers also add to the thickness and make it almost watertight, keeping divers warm in cold and deep waters.

Features

The Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit has lots of added features which add to the warmth and comfort of this wetsuit. The wrist, ankle and neck seals are comfortable and are made using single-lined, smooth- skin neoprene to reduce tightness. Neoprene is better than latex, as it lasts longer and doesn’t lose its elasticity.

The knee, crotch and seat area are all reinforced using a ‘strong pad’ protective material to add to comfort and reduce the wear of these areas. There is also a transporter pocket on the right thigh ideal for carrying extra, smaller equipment. The rear zipper uses aquaseal technology to reduce the amount of water getting in and even has a neoprene protective zip cover.

It is difficult to open and close the zipper by oneself though. This isn’t an issue when diving with a buddy, but when we tested it, we had to ask another paddler to help out. No biggie, but it’s not ideal for soloists unless they extend the zipper strap.

Seals

All seam on the Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit are tripled-glued and blind-stitched. This technique creates comfortable seals that allow very little water to get through. To add to the comfort of the semi-dry wetsuit the neck, wrist and ankle seals are all single lined with smooth-skin neoprene. The addition of the wrap-around comfy-fit hook and loop fastening neck for the neck closure ensures a close fit and reduces the amount of water getting into and under the suit.

Altogether the use of high-quality materials and durable sealing technologies make the seals of the Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry wetsuit comfortable and tight to reduce water entering the wetsuit and keeping the diver as dry as possible.

Materials

The wetsuit is made with super stretchy material: super-stretch DFN-Ultragrade neoprene. This type of neoprene includes a mixture of nylon, spandex and neoprene making it very comfortable and tight fitting. The use of this material also makes it easier to put on and take off. The Northern Diver Semi Dry Wetsuit is also lined with Ti-Ax Thermacote Titanium, a unique material which provides extra warmth whilst incorporating an anti-bacterial coating which helps to keep the wetsuit clean.

The areas prone to more wear and tear like the knees, crotch and seat all benefit from a thicker protective layer which reduces the wear of the material and provides extra comfort, especially for the knees as it adds a kneepad.

The cuffs around the ankles, wrists and neck are all single-lined smooth seals for comfort and to ensure water doesn’t get into the wetsuit. The use of a wrap-around hook and loop fastening around the neck allows the wetsuit to fit closer to the body and stops the zipper from rubbing on skin. The zipper is a YKK Aquaseal Ti-zip and has a protective neoprene zip cover to minimise water getting through. The shape and materials used for the Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit make it an ergonomically designed wetsuit which is warm and comfortable.

Accessories

The Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit comes with a few built-in features which maximise the comfort, durability and warmth of the wetsuit. It also comes with a hood which is comfortable and excellent to keep the diver warm in deeper and colder waters. But, it’s also nice to be able to take off the hood to avoid overheating.

The semi-dry wetsuit does not come with boots. However, Northern Diver sell a vast variety of diving footwear from hard-soled boots to thermal wetsuit socks. As this specific semi-dry wetsuit by Northern Diver does not include boots it allows the diver to select a pair which will best suit their requirements.

The Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit also comes with an integrated pocket which is ideal for carrying smaller tools and equipment. All other accessories can be purchased at Northern Diver as additions.

Price/ Quality Ratio

The price to quality ratio for the Northern Diver 7mm rear entry semi-dry wetsuit is very fair. With high-quality, durable and comfortable materials including advanced techniques to improve the cut and shape of the wetsuit, it is very comfortable and makes a great investment. Added features and accessories as well as the double layer provide a great user-friendly wetsuit ideal for colder and deeper bodies of water.

It’s comfort and flexibility mean it’s also going to be a good suit for windsurfing and paddle sports, making it a versatile addition to any water-lover.

Do we recommend it?

We have not yet gone scuba diving with this suit, but having tried it on and taken it for a paddle, we can safely say that it compares nicely with similar suits like the ScubaPro Nova Scotia. An update with pictures from under the waves is on its way.

We definitely recommend the Northern Diver 7mm Rear Entry Semi Dry Wetsuit for divers who want a long lasting wetsuit that will keep them warm in colder water temperatures. The materials and techniques used to manufacture the wetsuit are of high quality and the slightly more expensive price is justified as this is a durable, warm and comfortable wetsuit.

The only downside here is the too-short strap for opening and closing the rear-entry zipper. But that can easily be remedied with a longer strap or by a buddy.