At around $1300, the Cressi Desert drysuit sits at the budget end of the drysuit market—but it doesn’t dive like a cheap suit.First Impressions: Affordable, Simple Cold Water Diving
The Cressi Desert delivers a surprisingly complete drysuit experience for the price. While it lacks sizing flexibility and extra options, it excels where it counts—warmth, durability, and ease of use.
At around $1300 for a full drysuit with Apeks valves and decent thermal protection, this is a suit that punches above its weight for recreational divers in cold water. If you fit one of the standard sizes and don’t need modular features, it’s an excellent value and a great first drysuit for real-world diving.
The minimalist design avoids clutter. A single thigh pocket handles essentials, and the Velcro sleeve inside it is ideal for slates. One standout feature—if you use it—is the hood holder clip above the thigh pocket. Torben loves it. Sylvia, who dives the women’s Cressi Glacier (essentially the same suit), never touches it.
Notable is the BDM rear-entry zip and the rock boots with laces that may or may not be what individual divers like. The Desert’s value is mostly apparent once in the water. As the dive buddy, filming the Cressi Glacier while wearing the Desert, I can see how its simplicity is the best feature. It keeps the diver diving without any big challenges.
Design and materials
The Desert is constructed from 4 mm crushed neoprene—not thick by drysuit standards, but effective in maintaining warmth while keeping buoyancy under control. It’s also less bulky than some of the thicker neoprene suits, making trim management easier. Reinforced areas at the knees and front shins help extend its lifespan during rugged use.
The neoprene construction does mean you’ll need more weight. With a regular BCD setup, our editor-in-chief Torben needed 5 to 6 pounds more lead—consistent with what you’d expect from a non-trilaminate suit.
Fit and sizing
Here’s the catch: only six sizes are available. Torben fits into a 2XL well enough at 6’7”, but he’s slim. A diver with a heavier build might struggle to fit into one of these off-the-rack sizes.
On land, there’s visible bulk around the shoulders, but most of it compresses underwater. It’s not a tailored fit, but once submerged, the suit settles in and performs without drag or trapped air issues.
Boots with neoprene socks
Neoprene socks are built in, plus the Desert includes Cressi’s Malmo rock boots. They’re rugged and look sharp, but the lace system is not ideal for cold fingers and can be frustrating in gloves. Functionally, though, they provide excellent support and keep the warmth in.
Valves and in-water behavior
Cressi uses Apeks inflation and exhaust valves on the Desert. These are well-established components used in much more expensive suits. Inflation is smooth, exhaust is reliable, and there’s no evidence of any air-trapping issues.
Comparisons
BARE Sentry Tech Dry
The BARE Sentry Tech is a premium option in the neoprene category. It’s built from thicker 7 mm compressed neoprene and includes full custom sizing, a hugging torso, suspenders, and dual thigh pockets. It’s also over double the cost of the Desert.
What you get for the money is better fit, more features, and a much more tailored feel. But if you’re looking for a warm neoprene suit without spending over $3000, the Cressi Desert holds its ground as a simpler, more affordable alternative.
Otter Britannic Mk2
Closer in price (around $1500–$1800 depending on options), the Otter Britannic Mk2 offers trilaminate construction, a telescopic torso, reinforced panels, and optional suspenders.
Compared to the Desert, it’s a more modular and customizable option—better for tech progression. However, it won’t be as warm as the Desert without a bulkier undergarment.
Choose the Desert for warmth and simplicity; go with the Otter if modularity, fit adjustment, and future upgrades are on your radar.
Price/Quality Ratio
At around $1300 USD, the Cressi Desert is one of the more affordable neoprene drysuits on the market. It offers a straightforward, ready-to-dive package (assuming the sizing works for you).
The price reflects its focus: a warm, reliable drysuit for divers who don’t need advanced features like telescoping torsos, suspenders, or multiple pockets. For recreational divers moving into drysuit diving—especially those used to thick wetsuits—the Desert provides an easy step into coldwater without complication.
Compared to suits like the BARE Sentry Tech, which can exceed $3000 with upgrades, the Desert strips things back to the essentials. It also competes–in terms of price–with trilaminate suits like the Otter Britannic Mk2. But we think neoprene is another kettle of fish, so that’s where the comparison ends on the Britannic Mk2.
The Desert’s value isn’t just for first-time drysuit users. Even divers accustomed to trilaminate suits might find it appealing as a secondary neoprene option—particularly for colder months or dives where simplicity and warmth matter more than customization (ie. traveling).
Do we recommend the Cressi Desert?
Yes—with some caveats. If you’re a recreational diver looking to get into drysuit diving without spending $2,000 to $3,000, the Cressi Desert is a great option. It’s warm, simple, and performs well where it matters most—keeping you dry and comfortable in cold water.
The fit isn’t perfect, and the limited sizing may rule it out for some. Make sure you use Cressi’s sizing guidelines. But if one of the six available sizes fits, it’s a strong value.
This isn’t a tech diving suit, and it doesn’t try to be. What it offers instead is an approachable, dependable drysuit that can take you far beyond entry-level diving. If you’re okay with basic features and don’t need a custom fit, the Desert is a strong contender.
Specs & Features
| Material | 4mm high-density crushed neoprene |
|---|---|
| Neck seals | Neoprene |
| Wrist seals | Neoprene |
| Fit | S to 3XL (no tall/short/custom) |
| Zip location | Rear-entry BDM |
| Boots | Neoprene socks plus Malmo rock boots (lace-up) |
| Pockets | One neoprene pocket on right thigh |
Take a moment to look at this.
