Freediving Gear

Freediving is a unique experience that brings us closer to the ocean’s mysteries, but it takes the right gear to dive comfortably, perform at our best, and stay safe underwater.

I started my freediving journey in 2021 in the wild, beautiful deserts of Egypt. From then on, the ocean became my happy place.

In this article, I’m sharing my go-to freediving gear—from mask sprays to foot pockets—that I’ve relied on while traveling and diving worldwide. You’ll get my honest thoughts on each item, plus some discount codes and links to order your own. If you’re looking for a specific piece of diving gear you’ve seen me use in a reel, this is where you’ll find it!

Freediving Wetsuits

Freediving wetsuits are crafted from flexible materials that allow for the full range of motion freedivers need. Unlike scuba wetsuits, which are often stiffer and bulkier to handle the colder temps at greater depths, freediving wetsuits prioritize flexibility and freedom of movement.

When it comes to quality for the price, my go-to is the BESTDIVE wetsuit. I bought my first 3mm reversible suit in 2022, with one side smooth skin and the other side nylon, and it’s been my trusty companion in water temperatures between 22°C / 71.6°F and 25°C / 77°F. The “Smooth Skin” fabric, also known as YAMAMOTO, is specifically designed for freediving, enhancing performance by reducing drag and improving hydrodynamics.

The Chinese character “爱” (meaning “LOVE”) on the back and the “Orca” graphic on the front of my suit were both custom options I selected through the BESTDIVE website.

What I love most about this suit is its two-color, two-material design, making it versatile for different diving situations. For line diving and freediving training, I usually wear it with the smooth skin side out. The Yamamoto smooth skin fabric is perfect for competitive freediving since it reduces drag and boosts efficiency. But, there’s a catch—smooth skin is delicate. I have to use lubricant to put it on, and I’m extra cautious in the water, as it can easily get scratched or damaged by corals, rocks, or even my weight belt.

When I’m on a liveaboard trip or snorkeling in shallow water, I switch to the nylon side. This way, I can relax a bit more, enjoying the protection and warmth of the suit without stressing over every potential scratch.

I went with one light color (silver) and one dark color (dark blue) for a specific reason: when shark diving, it’s safer to wear dark equipment, as sharks tend to be more attracted to light and bright colors. If you’re curious about diving with sharks and what to keep in mind, click here.

In addition to my 3mm reversible suit, I have a 5mm open-cell wetsuit from BESTDIVE. Open-cell suits are warmer and more insulated than closed-cell wetsuits of the same thickness. Without an inner lining, the rubbery neoprene sticks right against the skin, creating a snug, watertight fit. I use this suit for colder waters, from 12 °C / 57.2 °F to 21 °C / 69.8 °F, whether I’m fun diving, training, or spearfishing in places like Norway, South Africa, or lakes in central Europe.

I also recently added a 7mm nylon suit from TRUDIVE to my collection. This one’s brand new, and I’m excited to test it out in icy waters sometime soon.

You can use the discount code TIANYANG to get 10% off any orders from BESTDIVE. Happy diving!

Bikini Wetsuits for Underwater Photography

These bodysuits, made from nylon or smooth skin in 2-3mm thickness, are ideal for snorkeling and underwater photography in warm waters of 24°C / 75°F and above. I’ve got suits from both TRUDIVE and BESTDIVE, so here’s my take on each brand’s mermaid bodysuits:

TRUDIVE Bikini Suits

TRUDIVE bikini suits have fantastic cuts that really flatter your figure. I always feel my body looks its best underwater in a TRUDIVE bikini suit. They offer a gorgeous range of styles and colors, including their latest Warrior and Whale Shark series. TRUDIVE suits are comfortable, keep you warm, and are easy to slip on and off—perfect for a day of diving or a photoshoot.

BESTDIVE Bikini Suits

BESTDIVE bikini suits, on the other hand, are crafted with even softer, higher-quality fabric and finer finishing details compared to TRUDIVE. My “Splash Open Back Bodysuit” from BESTDIVE, made from 2mm Yamamoto smooth skin, feels like a second skin underwater. It’s incredibly soft, smooth, and allows complete freedom of movement.

So overall, TRUDIVE suits win on style and fit, while BESTDIVE shines in fabric quality and craftsmanship.

TRUDIVE Discount Code: Use code TIANYANG15 to get 15% off all TRUDIVE products.

BESTDIVE Discount Code: Use code TIANYANG to get 10% off all BESTDIVE products.

Freediving Fins

My first freediving fins were from Leaderfins, and they’re a fantastic value for the price. I have very small, narrow feet (EU size 35 / US size 5), and finding the right foot pocket was a challenge since many brands don’t even offer small sizes. Thankfully, Leaderfins’ Forza foot pocket fits me perfectly with a 3mm sock. So if you’ve got small feet like me, definitely give the Forza foot pocket a try!

As for the blades, I use fins from the Australian brand DiveR. In my opinion, they make the best-looking, highest-quality carbon fins out there. DiveR collaborates with renowned artists and underwater photographers like Naomi Gittoes, Karin Studer, and Alex Kydd, offering designs that are both visually stunning and performance-focused. You can choose between Carbon Fiber and Composite Fiber blades, with flex options from Soft to Medium. My blades are both Carbon Fiber with soft flex for that smooth, powerful kick.

DiveR’s standard blade length is around 800mm, but if you want a shorter option, you can email them to customize the length. Just keep in mind that shortening the fins may cut off part of the design, so choose carefully. I ordered mine in 650mm and 720mm lengths—perfect for travel without compromising on performance.

DiveR Fins Discount Code: Use TIAN5 to get a 5% discount on all DiveR products. Check out the SEA GODDESS by Karin Studer here and the HUMPBACKS by Naomi Gittoes here.

Freediving Mask and Snorkel

I use two masks: the classic Oval Mask from Beuchat and the SPHERA X freediving mask from Aqualung. The SPHERA X is my go-to for line diving, while the Oval Mask handles everything else—trips, snorkeling, and underwater photography. And yes, you can pinch your nose to equalize with the Oval Mask! It has internal finger wells at the base of the lens specifically designed for this, so equalizing is no problem.

I first bought my Beuchat Oval Mask in 2021, and it’s still going strong. It’s super durable, and I haven’t had any issues with leaks. The glass lens can fog up easily, though, so I always use an anti-fog spray from CRESSI before each dive, which keeps the view crystal clear all day.

A lot of people ask me about the custom strap on my SPHERA X. I made it myself, and as far as I know, you can’t buy one like it anywhere. I have made a tutorial video on HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MASK STRAP, click here to watch.

Freediving Socks and Gloves

All my socks and gloves are from BESTDIVE, crafted with high-quality nylon fabric and excellent workmanship. I use 3mm thickness for both the socks and gloves, which offer the right balance of warmth and flexibility.

Underwater Cameras

My top pick for underwater photography is the DIVEVOLK full touchscreen housing, compatible with nearly all smartphones. By pressing firmly on the gel, you can operate your phone’s touchscreen just like you would on land. All your phone’s functions are accessible while it’s safely sealed inside the case—calling, messaging, watching videos, swiping on Tinder, and using every app underwater. This makes the DIVEVOLK case ideal for capturing underwater photos and videos using your phone’s native camera app, with no need for additional apps.

I’ve been diving with the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch4MAX housing for two years and have written an in-depth review with everything you need to know before getting one yourself.

DIVEVOLK Discount Code: Use code DIVETIAN6 when ordering directly from DIVEVOLK for a 6% discount and a free protective cover, perfect for travel! For orders over $500, you’ll get a free EVA box and an L-shaped bracket for your handle.

Another favorite in my underwater kit is the Ace Pro and X4 from Insta360. The Ace Pro is like magic—it automatically corrects the “green” tint in underwater footage. The raw footage looks incredible right out of the camera, with no need for color adjustments. For dives in low-visibility waters, the Ace Pro is my choice because it handles color correction better than my phone’s camera. It’s compact and lightweight, making it ideal for action shots underwater. However, it has a downside: it struggles with close-ups, and without manual zoom, you can’t get a sharp focus on nearby objects. The small screen also makes it challenging to review footage clearly while filming, especially compared to the larger DIVEVOLK housing screen.

The Insta360 X4 is an upgrade from the X3, delivering even better video quality with the ability to capture immersive 360-degree footage. I love using the X4 in settings with caves, kelp forests, or wrecks—it creates dynamic videos that allow for creative editing. The only drawback is that the 360 invisible underwater housing is prone to scratches, which will show up in the footage, so handle it with care😊

Insta360 Discount Code: Use code INRZ3I9 on the Insta360 website for discounts and freebies.

Boat Jacket and Accessories

I have to mention this boat jacket from TRUDIVE—it’s saved me countless times during windy, bumpy boat rides. Imagine you’re on an ocean safari, jumping in and out of the water all day, and every towel you brought is soaked. This jacket is perfect for keeping you warm and protected from the wind on the ride back. It’s lightweight (great for travel), provides just the right amount of warmth, and looks stylish, too. I wear it not only for diving but in my day-to-day life as well. You can use the TRUDIVE discount code TIANYANG15 to get 15% off when ordering directly from their website.

I also love my bucket hat and tube scarf for sun protection on those long days out on the boat. Both are from Amazon—check out the links here: bucket hat and tube scarf.

Thanks for reading this far! 😊 If you have any questions about the gear or brands I mentioned, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram—I’d be happy to help!

DIVEVOLK Discount Code:

Use code DIVETIAN6 when ordering directly from DIVEVOLK for a 6% discount and a free protective cover, perfect for travel! For orders over $500, you’ll get a free EVA box and an L-shaped bracket for your handle.

BESTDIVE Discount Code:

Use code TIANYANG to get 10% off all BESTDIVE products.

TRUDIVE Discount Code:

Use code TIANYANG15 to get 15% off all TRUDIVE products.

INSTA360 Discount Code:

Use code INRZ3I9 on the Insta360 website for discounts and freebies.

DIVER FINS Discount Code:

Use TIAN5 to get a 5% discount on all DiveR products. Check out the SEA GODDESS by Karin Studer here and the HUMPBACKS by Naomi Gittoes here.