During summer, I received a call from Giuliano Tagliacozzo, the owner of Polo Sub, asking me to test a garment for the fall/winter season. We settled on a split-lined wetsuit, the Kelp. The lining is quite unique, with vivid green spots and streaks that piqued my curiosity. Giuliano told me that the name Kelp was chosen mainly to appeal to fishermen in Northern Europe and the Atlantic, who dive among the kelp forests. Then, he suggested ordering directly from the website, just like a regular customer.

The process to order the wetsuit set is simple and well-structured. It begins by selecting the type of wetsuit. Under the "Custom Wetsuits" dropdown menu, you can review various models, with information on thickness, garment type, and cost. First, choose either the jacket or the pants, or a complete set with the same thickness.

The key is to select one option at a time to customize the preferred set. I chose the "7mm jacket" (€189.15). Below that, the "continue configuration" box appears, allowing you to finalize the purchase options with accessories.

Next, it's time to select gender. There are various options to check: jacket closure, accessories, and stitch color. I opted for "yes" on the "small buckle velcro" option. As suggested by Polo Sub, I marked "no" for the three depicted reinforcements (external chest reinforcement, internal reinforcement, and elbow reinforcement). Lastly, I highlighted the stitch color as "Red," matching the lining.

Once the 7mm Kelp jacket was configured, the "Your Order" box displays the updated price and selected accessories, with the classic "add to cart" button.

Now, I moved on to the pants, following the same procedure. I chose the 5.5mm Kelp pants.

I opted for in-store pickup because I had a training course in Rome in early October, and with payment made via bank transfer in advance, there were no additional costs. In about 2 and a half months the complete set was ready.

I balanced my Kelp set (7mm jacket and high-waisted 5.5mm pants) with 8 kilograms of weight for medium-depth dives. I also removed a quick-release 1-kilo weight below 20 meters. The water temperature in mid-October was 23 degrees Celsius, with no thermocline, even at depth.

For this test, I dived from both the shore and from the RIB. The donning process was quick, and I didn't feel restricted. On a warm, sunny day, I had to let a bit of water in to cool down! The tailored cut fits perfectly. The Kelp fits like a charm, as Polo Sub used my measurements from their records. The waterproof seal is impeccable, and the ankle and wrist cuffs don't mark the skin. The hood fits the head well, with a sufficiently closed face area, and once I put on the mask, there were no exposed areas. This kind of coverage is ideal for winter. Even when traveling on the boat between dives, I didn't feel cold.

But what impressed me the most was the buoyancy balance. With 8 kilograms around my waist, I assumed I'd rise like a cork in shallow water. Surprisingly, that didn't happen; there was no excessive buoyancy. When I immersed myself with slightly empty lungs and held onto a rock, I remained still on the seabed. It's incredible, especially with a new 7mm jacket! At the end of a dive, I caught a suspicious sea bream at a depth of no more than 4 meters.

I then attempted deeper dives, verifying that this year, the thermocline seems to have disappeared. After 20 meters, I removed a weight, and the Kelp remained perfect during depth dives: smooth descents and ascents. There were no last-meter rocket-like ascents or free falls, no sudden ascents like a ball. All dives were precisely calibrated, with no surprises.

Regarding the camouflage, I assumed that the intense green color wouldn't blend in well in the Mediterranean. After all, the name Kelp implies a clearly intended use. However, I was mistaken. Beyond four or five meters, the vivacity of the texture fades. The predominant red marbling is undoubtedly the most striking feature, but the green bands don't contrast so much. It's as if the light-dark mix that worried me somewhat on the surface merged with the rest of the colors. In short, the Kelp works well in depth, much better than I thought! And what about my red float, which remains vibrant red, while the Kelp significantly "fades" first? The underwater photos speak for themselves...