I've known Giuliano Tagliacozzo, the creator of Polo Sub, for many years, and even for this winter test, everything started with an online order, just as Giuliano suggested to me at the end of October. We're talking about a wetsuit consisting of a black smoothskin jacket, 6.5 mm thick, and pants with a black nylon outer lining and an open-cell interior, 5.5 mm thick. 

I can confirm the process is simple and intuitive. If any difficulty arises, Polo Sub provides support via phone or email. 

Here’s how I did it: the site [https://www.polosub.com](https://www.polosub.com) lets you choose the type of wetsuit, thickness, accessories, and finish, with clear and visible prices for every component. The homepage has everything you need, including photos, references, and explanatory notes.

If Polo Sub already has your anthropometric measurements, as in my case, you can skip the orange-highlighted suggestion on the left, “learn how to take your measurements,” which leads to a very thorough page with videos and downloadable forms for accurate measurement taking.

The top dropdown menu includes: Home - About Us - Custom Suits. The proper way to order a “mismatched” set like mine is to proceed step by step until completing the order for a single piece—say, the jacket—then go through the process again for the second item.

Hovering over or clicking on “Custom Suits” (which turns orange) opens an overview of all items in the catalog. For my Smoothskin Jacket, I chose the first available option featuring two mannequins: Black or Camouflage. Opening the page, alongside the product image, a detailed explanation appears, describing recommended use, available thicknesses, and individual component prices. 

My first selection is a “Black Smoothskin Jacket”; there are 7 neoprene thicknesses available. I selected 6.5 mm at a price of €198.56. 

After ticking the box, below the thickness/price chart, click on the orange “continue configuration.” The next page summarizes everything, with “Jacket - 6.5 mm Smoothskin Black” at the top and a vertical box showing the order total. 

Then select gender, move on to “Jacket Closure,” and I chose “Yes, Velcro with small buckle.” I didn’t request chest or elbow reinforcements. 

Continue with “Add to cart,” and the page confirms everything and asks for measurements. If you tick “Have you ordered from us before?” (we'll use the measurements from your previous order), just enter your full name to proceed with shipping and payment.

In detail, I also selected high-waisted 5.5 mm pants (€112.48), added knee reinforcements (+€13.42), and a “duckbill” urination system (+€18.30), with a clear orange tick. Lastly, I chose “Black” stitching color. Updated total: €144.20. The full set, including standard shipping (+€14), cost €356.76.

The suit chosen for this test was designed for current conditions. My friend Carlo has a fiberglass-hulled inflatable boat, about 3 meters long, a tender, and when winter sea conditions allow, we meet up and go out. We take turns along the coast, in spots where there might be sea bass—entering and exiting the water repeatedly for a few hours.

The 6.5 mm Smoothskin jacket is ideal. I’m not particularly sensitive to the cold, and this thickness is my favorite also because the required weight isn’t excessive—about ten kilos is enough to dive even in choppy shallow waters. 

In Sardinia, water temperatures dropped quickly in the past month, from 21/20°C to 16/15°C within a couple of weeks!

The custom cut is simply perfect. Polo Sub used the measurements they had on file, and this tailored approach ensures great comfort. I get dressed and undressed at home, in the shower, then we drive a few minutes to launch the boat. As I mentioned in the “Flops” section, I modified the “duckbill” tip (external urination system), and now soapy water exits easily with just a two-finger press.

While dressing, the neoprene panels stretch over my chest and back, and after a few moments, I feel perfectly wrapped. A custom wetsuit is always a treat, but in winter, it’s absolutely the best. 

We hop in the car with protective towels and reach the boat ramp. While my friend parks the car, I enter the water to steady the boat. The Polo Sub suit seals completely—I’m half-submerged and haven’t felt the slightest leak.

We head out and stop just after the point, where the interesting zone begins. The hood fits nicely, and the facial opening is tight enough. I put on my mask, and only a small area of skin is exposed. I placed my weight pad over the waist belt, and in this spot the rock comes right up to the surface ("the sidewalk").

Comfort is exceptional—the smoothskin material insulates very well, and I don’t feel restricted despite the generous thickness. 

A small sea bass swims by—I wait for a bigger one. We decide to move to the next cove, and while climbing back aboard, I appreciate the stable, non-slip surface offered by the externally-lined jacket skirt.

During our trip, I do a couple of dives past 10 meters, among rock clusters where you sometimes find nice white seabream. The suit performs flawlessly during descent. No leaks, and I can focus entirely because I’m not cold—I forget I’m even wearing a suit, it’s so comfortable.

Then, from the left, a big sea bass appears. I stay still—it faces me, and I manage a precise shot. We've been in the water for about four hours. The air is cold, but I’m still comfortable. I could easily fish a few more hours. 

Great job, Polo Sub. Another excellent choice!

Ratings

Cut We’ve been praising it for years. It’s simply the best! 10

Finish quality Polo Sub pays attention to every detail in their craftsmanship. Stitching color can be customized, panels are glued and sewn without steps, cuffs and hood lined with super-stretch material; crotch flap is narrow and customizable; many personalization options 9.5

Durability The nylon lining on the pants, combined with the optional thermo-applied knee pads, makes the suit decently resistant 8

Comfort Nothing to complain about. The wetsuit fits like a glove and dries quickly during boat rides 8.5

Performance at depth The neoprene blend is medium-density—not too soft—allowing for great performance at moderate depths. Good memory under compression, doesn't need heavy weight 8.5

Technical Sheet

Material:Medium-density neoprene, smoothskin and lined open-cell

Color: Black

Sternal pad: Optional (internal or external padding)

Reinforcements & accessories: Optional (stitch color, elbow/knee pads, duckbill)

Smoothskin: 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 11.5 mm Lined open-cell: 2.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7, 8, 9.5, 11 mm

The Material

Polo Sub, by company policy, does not disclose the exact neoprene type. However, my suit was made with medium-density microcellular foam. To the touch, the jacket is soft and flexible, with dense resistance when stretched; the pants feel even more supple due to the thinner material. 

The single-lined panels—like the ample one on the jacket’s bottom skirt—show excellent elasticity in the outer fabric; the lining on both the jacket and full pants is ultra-stretch nylon.

Finishes and Reinforcements

My set is single-lined in black. All panels are glued and sewn with black thread. It includes two thermo-applied Melco knee pads and ankle-edge trim. The waistband is raw cut for a better fit and no steps. 

The jacket is smoothskin, more delicate, but with the undeniable advantage of drying instantly, not absorbing water, and preventing cold during transfers.

The Cut

Described as anatomical and slightly pre-shaped. The Roman company promotes this style as it best complements their neoprene choice. The jacket features two large panels on chest and back. 

The sleeves have mild pre-shaping at the elbows, with long, narrow rhomboidal inserts under the armpits. The hood is well contoured with an anatomical chin fit. Jacket closure offers several options—I chose “Velcro with small buckle” for a secure fit that doesn’t get in the way while swimming. 

The high-waisted pants are also made from few neoprene cuts. Pre-shaping is present at the glutes, thighs, and calves. The waistband is raw-cut, adhering perfectly to the stomach and back.