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The Best Freediving Gear to Buy in 2026: Our Expert Picks
- Curtis Tredway
- Oct 20
- 5 min read
By Deep Sensations Freediving
Freediving gear is evolving fast, with 2026 shaping up to be a year of innovation and refinement. Whether you’re just getting started or diving deeper into your training, the right equipment will elevate your experience, improve safety, and make your dives more enjoyable.
At Deep Sensations Freediving, we’ve logged thousands of hours testing gear across Australia and beyond — from diving the kelp forests in the cold waters of Tasmania to the blue-water descents in Bali and the Maldives. These are our personal selections based on years of experience and real-world testing.
None of these mentions are paid — the only brands we’re partnered with are Salted Line and SunButter. Evolve have sent us gear for testing, but all opinions are genuine and based on performance, not sponsorship.
1. Wetsuit: Cressi Apnea Wetsuit
The Cressi Apnea Wetsuit remains our top pick for East Coast diving. It’s super durable, comfortable, and flexible - ideal for variable water temperatures and conditions. The smooth inner lining makes it easy to slip on, and it holds its shape even after years of use. If you’re diving regularly, this suit is one of the best long-term investments you can make.
The product is listed for 'men' however 100's of our female divers have used this wetsuit in our courses and all LOVE it!
I've personally worn the 3mm year round in Sydney, and the 5mm I have worn in 13 degree waters off Tasmania! This wetsuit I first bought at the start of my freediving journey and It is still going strong, compared to other brands which last me 3-6 months diving the same conditions.
2. Low Volume Mask: Omer Wolf
The Omer Wolf offers an excellent low-volume design, making equalisation effortless. It’s also lightweight and comfortable, with great visibility for spotting marine life. Whether you’re exploring a reef or chasing depth, this is a reliable go-to mask that fits a wide range of faces comfortably.
Please note, this fits most faces, but it is important to try on your masks before you buy!
3. Weight Belt: Marseille-Style Belt
You can’t go wrong with a Marseille-style belt — no matter the brand. The flexible rubber allows it to fit snugly around your waist, and its simple design means it won’t slip as you descend. It’s tough, versatile, and perfect for both beginners and experienced divers loading up heavier weights for deeper sessions.
4. Gloves: Cressi Spider Pro Gloves
Safety and comfort go hand in hand here. The Cressi Spider Pro Gloves protect your hands from urchins, oysters, jellyfish, and rocky entries, while still giving you full dexterity. If you’re diving around reefs, these are an essential piece of kit that’ll save your hands more times than you can count.
5. Dive Bags: Cressi Tuna Pro or Beuchat Explorer Wheely
Travel-friendly and built to last, the Cressi Tuna Pro Wheely and Beuchat Explorer Wheely (both around 120 L) are the best all-round options for freedivers who travel often. They fit your fins, wetsuit, mask, and even a weight belt — and they’re durable enough to survive baggage handlers and boat decks alike.
6. Dive Computer: Suunto D4i Novo
A classic and reliable computer that does everything you need, the Suunto D4i Novo is accurate, affordable, and easy to use. It tracks depth, dive time, surface intervals, and ascent rates — ideal for freedivers who want solid performance without unnecessary complexity.
7. Deep Diving Upgrade: Evolve Freeq V2 Goggles
For freedivers looking to go deeper and transition away from masks, the Evolve DeepFreqq V2 Goggles are a game changer. They allow you to dive mask-free with a nose clip, conserving valuable air and improving equalisation. Once you make the switch, you’ll wonder how you ever dove without them.
8. Fin Day Packs: Raised by Salt Fin Bags
The Raised by Salt (Previously known as She Who Explores) Fin Bags are sleek, functional, and airline-approved — most carriers allow them as carry-on luggage. Perfect for keeping your blades protected on travel days or short trips to the pool.
One of the perks of shopping these bags is you will be supporting a young, Aussie-owned small business. Madi and I have been mates for 10+ years and these bags were made out of love and stoke for the ocean.
9. Reef-Safe Zinc: SunButter
Do you know the difference between 'Reef Friendly' and 'Reef Safe'?
Most people don't.
Reef friendly sun protection still carries all the chemicals that damage our oceans. They get the title 'friendly' because they donate money to reef-based projects. Reef Safe means that the products are actually safe for our oceans and free of harmful chemicals.
If you’re diving under the Aussie sun, SunButter is hands-down the best reef-safe zinc out there. It’s long-lasting, Australian-made, and completely ocean-safe. As a bonus, it stays on through long dive sessions and big days in the surf.
10. Camera Gear: Salted Line Housing + DJI Action 5
For Underwater Photographers and content creators or anyone keen to capture their dives, the Salted Line housings are exceptional — robust, reliable, and half the cost of many pro housings. We’ve used them extensively with our Sony setups and they’ve been rock solid.
If you prefer simplicity, the DJI Action 5 is our favourite plug-and-play underwater camera. It produces stunning colour straight out of the camera, so you don’t need editing experience to get incredible footage.
11. Line Cutter
Every freediver should carry a cutting tool - it’s small, lightweight, and could save your life. A Line Cutter is actually a safer and more practical option over a dive knife, as these will cut rope and line faster, and has less risk of you accidentally cutting yourself.
The Our personal choice is the Mares Ceramic Line Cutter is corrosion-resistant, razor-sharp, and designed to cut through fishing line, rope, or kelp effortlessly. It comes with a secure sheath and can be mounted to your weight belt or arm strap. A compact, must-have safety item for any diver venturing into reefs, wrecks, or kelp forests. However for a cheaper option that does the same job, you can grab yourself this Scuba Line Cutter
12. Safety Essentials: First Aid Kit
No freediver should overlook a first aid kit. We use a commercial marine-grade kit for our courses and retreats, but for personal use, any general first aid kit from Amazon will do. Make sure it includes antiseptic wipes, waterproof plasters, saline solution, and wound dressings for minor cuts or stings. It’s one of those things you hope you never need — but when you do, you’ll be grateful it’s there.
Final Thoughts
The gear above represents years of trial, testing, and thousands of dives across every condition imaginable. These aren’t sponsored opinions, just genuine recommendations from divers who live and breathe the ocean.
When it comes to freediving, your gear is more than just equipment - it’s part of your safety system and your connection to the underwater world. Choose well, take care of it, and it’ll take care of you.
Ready to take your freediving to the next level?
Join one of our Freediving Courses or Retreats to learn how to get the most out of your setup, refine your technique, and explore some of Australia’s most beautiful underwater environments.
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