The Evolution of Diving Apparel: From Basic to Purpose-Built

Commercial diving has changed massively over the years — not just in technology, but in the gear we wear. What used to be simple, generic clothing has evolved into highly functional apparel built to survive long hours underwater, harsh conditions, and demanding work.

At Sons of Triton, we design for real divers, because we are divers. But to understand why purpose-built gear matters, we need to look at how far diving apparel has come.

From Makeshift Clothing to Early Wetsuits

In the early days, divers wore whatever they had — wool shirts, heavy canvas layers, or basic rubberised suits. These didn’t stretch, didn’t insulate well, and often restricted movement. Divers simply had no choice.

Most “gear” was adapted from fishing, military surplus, or cold-weather clothing. Nothing truly designed for underwater labour existed yet.

The Rise of Neoprene — A Game Changer

When neoprene entered the industry, everything shifted.

Neoprene brought three major advantages:
• Insulation underwater
• Flexibility for movement
• A closer, safer fit
Suddenly, divers could stay in the water longer, move better, and handle tools more confidently. Neoprene wetsuits opened the door to modern commercial diving.

But neoprene still wasn’t perfect — especially for tropical regions or long hours on boats.

The Modern Era — Technical Fabrics and Functional Design

Today’s diving apparel is more advanced than ever. New materials and construction methods allow divers to work longer, safer, and more efficiently.


Modern features include:
  • 4-way stretch nylon-spandex blends
  • UPF sun protection
  • Quick-dry and hydrophobic coatings
  • Abrasion-resistant panels
  • Reinforced stitching for heavy work
  • Smart patterning for harnesses and tools
Divers no longer rely on one “general use” outfit — they choose gear specifically made for their environment and job.

Purpose-Built for Commercial Divers

Commercial diving is not the same as recreational diving.

We deal with:
  • Steel hulls
  • Rough surfaces
  • Heavy tools
  • Harness rub
  • Long bottom times
  • Constant movement on boats
Generic rashguards or basic wetsuits simply don’t last.

That’s why purpose-built gear matters — it’s engineered for durability, safety, and real-world challenges. The apparel becomes a tool.

Where Sons of Triton Fits Into This Evolution

Sons of Triton was born from a simple idea: Gear should be made by the people who actually use it.


Every product we create is designed through real diving experience:
  • Rashguards that resist barnacle abrasion
  • Turtlenecks that prevent neck chafing inside harness straps
  • Wrist cuffs that stop irritants and protect dive watches
  • Quick-dry fabrics for boat work
  • Reinforcement in key areas
  • Functional pockets, loops, connectors
  • Durability that lasts months of daily diving
We aren’t guessing what divers need — we’ve lived it.

The Future of Diving Apparel

As materials and technology continue to improve, diving gear will become:
  • Lighter
  • More durable
  • More breathable
  • More water-resistant
  • More ergonomic
  • More protective
But one thing will never change: Purpose-built gear will always outperform generic apparel.

Sons of Triton aims to lead this future — designing equipment that supports divers, boat crew, and ocean professionals all over the world.