Hollis NeoTek V2 Semi-Dry Hooded Wetsuit

Hollis NeoTek V2 8/7/6mm Hooded Semi-Dry Suit: Cold-Water Semi-Dry Built for Technical Diving

The Hollis NeoTek V2 is a hooded semi-dry suit designed for divers who regularly push into cold water and need a suit that keeps up with serious diving, not just weekend recreational trips.

If you are a technical diver or an advanced recreational diver logging time in cold or temperate conditions, this suit is built around your priorities: thermal retention, minimal water flush, and enough durability to handle repeated hard use.

What Makes It a Semi-Dry, and Why That Matters Here

A semi-dry suit works on the same neoprene principle as a wetsuit but adds seals and barriers designed to drastically slow the exchange of water inside the suit. You still get a small amount of water entry, but it warms quickly and largely stays put, rather than flushing through with every movement.

The NeoTek V2 takes that concept seriously. The G-Lock horizontal front zipper is the centerpiece of the sealing system. A horizontal entry zipper across the chest sits lower and tighter against the body than a traditional diagonal or back zip, and the G-Lock mechanism is designed to compress the closure firmly against the neoprene to minimize gaps.

Behind that zipper sits a front neck dam, an internal barrier that gives water a second obstacle to clear before it reaches your torso. The arms and legs are sealed with internal dams as well.

The result is a suit that behaves much closer to a drysuit in terms of water management than a standard thick wetsuit, without the full complexity of drysuit ownership and maintenance.

Thickness and Thermal Coverage

The NeoTek V2 runs 8mm at the torso, 7mm at the legs, and 6mm at the arms. That graduated thickness puts the most insulation where your core needs it most, while keeping the arms slightly thinner to preserve movement.

The suit is constructed from eco-friendly neoprene, which Hollis notes is produced with recycled and reused neoprene waste to reduce landfill impact. Beyond the environmental angle, this neoprene is described as more flexible than the classic NeoTek formulation, which matters in a suit this thick. Eight-millimeter neoprene can feel stiff and restrictive; the improved stretch here is a genuine practical benefit for dexterity at depth.

Inside, a Hollis ThermaSkin liner adds a thermal layer against the skin. This type of inner lining traps a thin layer of water and warms it faster, contributing to overall heat retention beyond what the neoprene thickness alone provides.

The attached hood is integrated rather than separate. For cold-water diving, a separate hood is one of the most common sources of heat loss and water flush at the neck. Having the hood built into the suit removes that gap entirely.

Construction and Durability

The seam construction is worth understanding because it directly affects both warmth and longevity.

• Double-glued and butt-joined seams bond the neoprene panels edge-to-edge with adhesive on both surfaces, creating a strong, watertight join.
• Blind stitch adds structural reinforcement without the needle passing fully through the neoprene, which would create small holes that let water in.
• Liquid seam tape covers all of this, sealing the exterior of every seam against water penetration and protecting the stitching from abrasion.

The outer material is nylon 2 neoprene, meaning neoprene bonded with a nylon fabric layer on both the inside and outside. This construction resists tearing and abrasion significantly better than single-lined neoprene, which matters if you are diving around rock, wrecks, or cave environments.

Pockets and Tech Compatibility

The NeoTek V2 has thigh pockets on both legs, not just one. Each closes with a hook-and-loop fastener and includes drainage grommets so water does not pool inside.

For technical divers, having two accessible thigh pockets is a practical necessity rather than a convenience. Slates, lift bag spools, SMBs, and backup lights all need somewhere to live. The dual-pocket layout means you are not choosing between items or relying on D-rings for everything.

Fit, Sizing, and Who This Suit Is Not For

The NeoTek V2 is listed as unisex and available in multiple sizes. Because this is a semi-dry suit where sealing depends heavily on fit, getting the right size is not optional. A suit that is too loose at the neck, wrists, or ankles will let water circulate freely, defeating the purpose of all the sealing hardware.

If you dive in warm tropical water, this suit is not for you. Eight millimeters of neoprene in 28°C water will overheat you before you reach the bottom.

If you are a recreational diver who dives cold water occasionally and does not need the technical pocket layout or the aggressive sealing system, a simpler 7mm wetsuit will likely serve you just as well at lower complexity.

The NeoTek V2 makes the most sense for divers who are regularly in cold or temperate water, who want the thermal performance of a semi-dry without committing to drysuit training and maintenance, and who need a suit built to handle the physical demands of technical diving environments.