Sigalsub is a company that for years has been producing excellent products such as shafts, bands and accessories for spearguns. Sigalsub spearguns, such as the Nemesis, are now appreciated by a multitude of spearfishermen, recreational and, in particular, competitive. It is no coincidence that the Nemesis Carbon (2023) and the Nemesis HT (2023-2024) have won the Best Choice By Apneapassion. With the 2024 catalog, Sigalsub has launched itself into the segment of freediving wetsuits with a product that immediately attracted our attention and that of enthusiasts: the Sigal Hydra wetsuit, finalist of the Best Choice 2024.
Let’s immediately put it under our X-rays.
Offer and Price
The Sigal Hydra wetsuit is offered by Sigalsub in thicknesses of 3, 5 and 7 millimetres. The version we tested is the 5mm one. The available sizes range from 2 to 6 (EU, from S to XXL). A differentiated Lady version is not included in the catalogue. Online, the product can be purchased, in the 5 mm version, at a price just under €250. A price absolutely in line with the products of other brands and of the same segment on the market. It appears appropriate and very interesting based on the perceived quality of the product and the technical solutions proposed. The company offers the possibility, to the buyer, to purchase the jacket and pants separately.
Materials
The neoprene used to make the Hydra is Jako. Jako is a medium density neoprene, which is the most recent production of the Korean company. Jako guarantees maximum performance, especially in terms of softness. The neoprene is lined on the outside and open-cell on the inside. To the touch, the wetsuit stands out for its high elasticity even near the seams.
When worn, the sensation is that of a tight and warm garment.
The upper band of the pants is made of a different material: a sandwich. Smooth on the outside and open-cell on the inside: this choice guarantees greater sealing capacity against water infiltration. At the same time, it provides greater mechanical resistance in an area that would be at high risk of damage during the dressing phases.
Reinforcements and protections on knees and elbows are made of Supratex material. For this detail, Sigalsub has not spared itself by designing the protections so as to extend onto the shins and forearms. These, in fact, are areas very subject to abrasion and wear, especially during rubbing on the seabed and rocks.
For the finishes of the face, wrists and ankles, very elastic lycra edges have been used. This material and the gluing used do not tighten or stiffen the parts but guarantee an excellent barrier to cold water infiltration.
Sternal protection
The sternum part of the Sigal Hydra, typically used to arm the speargun, is characterized by a silicone print. It reproduces the company logo and a non-slip knurling. The design is studied to guarantee, at the same time, a non-slip grip and to avoid, thanks to the breakdown into segments, a stiffening of the part.
In the internal part, a “patch” of the same material as the wetsuit is used, with a thickness of 3.5 mm, which alleviates discomfort during loading and protects the sternum.
The manufacturer indicates that for this part the profile of the neoprene has been cut at 45° to avoid determining internal “steps” and to avoid altering the adherence to the body.
Suit cut and sewing
The cut of the wetsuit, especially on the chest and back, has been designed to maximize comfort, not to hinder the user’s breathing during preparation for the dive and not to limit his movements.
The classic seams of the neoprene “patches” are soft and do not compromise the softness and wearability of the wetsuit.
A detail that caught our eye is the particular upper profile of the pants of the Sigal Hydra: this profile has a very particular shape, higher on the abdomen and lower on the back.
This shape guarantees to cover – and therefore warm – the kidneys and loins, and the abdomen of the fisherman. The choice that helps to warm two of the areas most sensitive to low temperatures, and, at the same time, not to limit ventilation, is designed by Sigalsub to prevent the edge of the trousers on the back from folding during dressing, creating pockets of air or water that would affect comfort and thermal protection.
Camouflage
The neoprene is lined externally with a camouflage fabric whose livery uses the mechanisms of image decomposition and colors to enhance the camouflage effect on the seabed. The colors chosen are those in shades of red, gold and brown on a black background. Colors that are effective on almost all seabeds and with red, which over seven-meters deep, turns to a neutral green.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the branding of the garment, which uses a black background font and gold edges in continuity with the color of the wetsuit. Therefore this do not alter the camouflage intentions of the product. Specifically, a large logo is present on the back and another smaller one on the wrist. The name of the product appears obliquely and parallel to the seams near the chest. The indication of the thickness of the neoprene near the lower edge of the jacket and on the ankles.
Unisex?
We do not know if the product was designed for use by the female public. Having one of our athletes wear it, we noticed how the Hydra adapts very well to a girl’s body too.
The cut of the Sigal Hydra jacket adapts naturally to the breast without creating the typical folds or constrictions. The same goes for the hips.
Furthermore, the hood thanks to its elasticity, fits well and can contain even gathered hair inside it. This is an advantage for both female and male audiences. The presence of hair does not affect the adherence to the face. It does not create painful pressure points or significantly alter the contour of the face.
