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—— Gear Review · Wetsuits

Cressi Apnea Women's Wetsuit (3mm)

3mm closed-cell · Women's cut · Two-piece

The right starting point for most women freedivers: anatomical cut that actually fits female proportions, two-piece design, and Cressi quality at a reasonable price.

8.4 / 10
—— Verdict
Recommended, best value women's suit
Cressi · Wetsuits
—— Price (USD)
~$160
Affiliate link · disclosed below
—— What we like
  • + Women's anatomical cut fits chest and hips correctly
  • + Two-piece design provides additional core warmth and better fit flexibility
  • + Good range of sizes including petite
  • + Reliable Cressi quality control
—— What to know
  • − Closed-cell, less warm than open-cell at same thickness
  • − Limited color options
Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb
Freediving Researcher and Editor
Published · Jul 25, 2025 Updated · Apr 28, 2026
— Section 01

Overview

The Cressi Apnea women's wetsuit is the usual first recommendation for a woman taking up freediving in warm water. It does what women's wetsuits are supposed to do, actually fit female body proportions, without requiring a premium price. If even that is more than you want to spend on a first warm water suit, the IST women's suit is the cheaper trial option.

The two-piece design (separate jacket and pants) is important for women's sizing: it allows independent sizing for top and bottom when proportions don't match standard size ratios. Someone with a smaller chest and wider hips can fit each piece appropriately rather than compromising on a one-piece.

The 3mm closed-cell construction covers warm water recreational diving effectively. For cooler water or serious training, the 5mm open-cell alternatives (SEAC Body Fit, Omer UP-W2) are the appropriate step up.

—— Frequently asked

Questions about
Cressi Apnea Women's Wetsuit (3mm).

01 Why do women need a different freediving wetsuit? +
Standard and unisex freediving wetsuits are cut for male body proportions. Women have wider hips, narrower shoulders, and different chest measurements. Wearing a unisex suit means either the hips fit but the shoulders are too wide, or the shoulders fit but the hips are tight. Both versions restrict movement and seal poorly at the waist. Women's-specific suits are cut to fit female proportions, which means better insulation, fewer restrictions, and better duck dive mobility.
02 What size should I order? +
Use the Cressi size chart with height and weight as the starting point, but verify chest and hip measurements if available. Freediving wetsuits run close-fitting by design. If you're between sizes, size up, a slightly large suit is better than one that restricts your chest.
03 Should I get open-cell or closed-cell as a beginner woman freediver? +
Closed-cell for beginners. Open-cell is warmer and more flexible, but it requires lubrication to put on, tears easily on rough surfaces, and needs more careful handling. Learn the sport first with a durable closed-cell suit, then upgrade to open-cell once you're diving regularly.
—— Compare with

Related wetsuits reviews.

freediving-wetsuits

SEAC Body Fit Women's Wetsuit Review

The best women's option for temperate water training: open-cell insulation that closed-cell can't match at the same thickness, combined with shoulder articulation that makes duck dives comfortable.
freediving-wetsuits

Omer UP-W2 Women's Wetsuit Review: Premium All-Around

The best women's all-around suit: premium neoprene quality, 3.5mm bridges warm and mild water, and Omer's construction detail is the best in this comparison.
freediving-wetsuits

IST Sports Women's Freediving Wetsuit Review: Budget Entry

The entry-level budget option for warm water: functional for casual tropical diving, with quality limitations that show in serious use.
Freediving Guides · 2026 Edition 04
—— Sources

What this article is based on

  1. AIDA International, the world freediving federationAIDA International
  2. SSI Freediving programs and certification levelsScuba Schools International
  3. PADI Freediver course overviewPADI
  4. Molchanovs freediving education and Wave programsMolchanovs