Testing and reviewing gear is kind of our thing—our forte, if you will. This past year alone we have scrutinized 70 products, including wetsuits, fins, bags and computers. Our team of ScubaLab editors and test-team divers works diligently to bring you unbiased reviews to help you find the right gear that meets your personal diving needs and price point. And for our testers, there are always the inevitable standouts. Put through rigorous testing in the freshwater springs of central Florida, the products featured in this month’s Gear of the Year issue were evaluated across multiple categories and awarded Testers Choice and Best Buy honors.

Your kit is no small investment, and the right gear can last you many wonderful years of diving. If you’re in the market for something new, or if you just want to know what features and innovations in gear we thought really hit the mark, look no further—you’re in the right place. Here's the gear that rose to the top in 2021.

Fins

1. Cressi Gara Modular Sprint

This barefoot fin’s design is modeled after Cressi’s popular Gara Modular Impulse freediving fin, but the Sprint’s shorter length—28 inches long in size medium—and strong performance made it surprisingly suitable for scuba use. This fin really shines in flutter kick, where the razor-thin thermoplastic blade is very efficient, gliding easily through the water with just a small amount of effort and providing impressive propulsion when powering hard through open water. Snappy and responsive, this fin accelerates quickly and tracks straight even when kicking hard. It was our Testers Choice for barefoot fins. $129.95; cressi.com

2. Tusa Imprex Duo

Propelling easily and efficiently in all kicking styles, this fin impressed testers with its versatility. The 14-inch blade provides stability when kicking hard and plenty of thrust. Highly maneuverable, it performs tight turns and back-kicks with ease. The ergonomic foot pocket offers responsiveness and control like an extension of the diver’s own foot. With a well-rounded design at a below-average price, the Imprex Duo was our Testers Choice and Best Buy for open-heel fins. $89; tusa.com

Wetsuits

1. Pinnacle Aquatics Tempo XT

A body-hugging fit and a thick zipper flap limit water movement inside this suit. An interior merino wool lining offers additional insulation that allows the Tempo XT, and its female counterpart the Siren, to offer warmth and comfort beyond that of the average 3 mm suit. Smooth-skin seals at the wrist and ankles are comfortable and effective at limiting water entry. Flexible neoprene used throughout allows for an excellent range of motion. It was our Best Buy for 3 mm suits over $250. $329.95; pinnacleaquatics.com

2. Bare Reactive

Sporting an infrared lining with graphene elements, this suit is designed to warm divers by recapturing their own body heat and distributing it to cooler areas of the body. The high-tech lining, combined with the suit’s super-effective seals, makes for exceptionally warm and comfortable diving. Flexible neoprene used throughout the suit allows for excellent dexterity. Glideskin panels inside each cuff allow for effortless donning and doffing. It was our Testers Choice for 3 mm suits over $250. $479.95; baresports.com

3. IST Sports PG-WS80

Offering excellent all-around comfort and performance, the PG-WS80 has an additional trick up its sleeve: a zinc-treated PuriGuard fabric designed to protect divers against bacteria and eliminate odors. Soft and smooth, it is comfortable against skin and makes for easy donning and doffing. The suit is warm and cozy, and maintains a natural range of motion thanks to high-stretch panels under the arms and at the lower back. It was our Testers Choice for wetsuits at or below $250. $250; istdivingsystem.com

BCDs

1. Seac Smart

This BC impressed test divers with rock-solid stability and very good attitude control in all orientations. The wraparound harness is very comfortable and supportive, and features a two-position sternum strap and lightweight cushioning along the back and shoulder straps for additional comfort. Weight pockets are easy to load, and use both buckles and hook-and-loop closures to keep ballast secured. Zippered cargo pockets and several well-placed stainless D-rings offer plenty of carrying capacity. Comfortable and capable, it was our Best Buy for jacket BCs. $399; seacsub.com

2. Scubapro Hydros X

Swiveling shoulder buckles, an adjustable sternum strap and a grippy injection-molded harness help this BC hug the body for a stable, comfortable fit that impressed test divers. In the water, the BC’s smooth ergonomic inflator and well-placed exhaust valves took top scores for valve operation and ascent control. Standard-issue stowage includes two roomy cargo pockets and two stainless D-rings, and can be upgraded. During our objective testing, the streamlined air cell provided 51 pounds of buoyant lift. The Hydros X was our Testers Choice for jacket BCs. $1,159 (with BPI inflator); scubapro.com

3. Cressi Patrol

Showcasing a lightweight design with heavy-hitting performance, this BC’s 46-pound air cell provides ample lift, but is constrained by an elastic bungee to keep the system trim and streamlined. As a result, the Patrol is stable in the water, with very little drag. Pull dumps are easy to reach and responsive, making for precise buoyancy and ascent control. The plushy harness features comfortable padding throughout. Despite its stripped-down, travel-ready design, the BC still provides plenty of storage for accessories. It was our Best Buy for back-inflation BCs. $349.95; cressi.com

4. HOG Total Buoyancy Control System

This versatile BC gives divers plenty of customization options to perfectly tailor the system to their liking. Divers have their choice of a hard or soft back plate, bladder sizes, weight pockets and accessories, and harness configurations. Multiple adjustment points and smooth tri-glides ensure the system fits like a glove, regardless of whether you opt to dive it as a back-mounted, front-adjustable BC or as a traditional tec harness. The BC provides excellent comfort and impressive control of buoyancy, attitude and ascent. It was our Testers Choice for back-inflation BCs. Starting at $489.95; edge-gear.com

Drysuits

1. Seasoft Ti 3000

Made of 3.5 mm compressed neoprene with a titanium lining, this suit can be ordered with customized measurements, seals and booties at no extra charge. It impressed testers with an excellent fit, incredible comfort and a natural range of motion. It also scored very good for buoyancy and attitude control. A forearm-mounted exhaust valve is very accessible, allowing for easy, efficient venting. A long-zippered opening and flexible construction make the suit easy to don and doff. The Ti 3000 was our Testers Choice. $2,399.99; seasoftscuba.com

2. Cressi Desert

Lightweight and flexible, this suit strategically uses different thicknesses of compressed neoprene, ranging from 7 to 4 mm, to maximize insulation and freedom of movement. Testers were impressed with its overall comfort at depth, and scored it very good for range of motion. With a snug, body-hugging fit, the streamlined suit offers excellent control of air movement. Ultra-elastic neoprene seals scored highly for comfort and effectiveness, as well as ease of donning and doffing. The Desert was our Best Buy. $1,299.95; cressi.com

Computers

1. Shearwater Peregrine

A clean, data-rich layout and large colored characters contrasted on a black background make this computer’s large display very easy to read. Unmissable vibrating feedback is used to call attention to alerts. The two-button operation is intuitive and ergonomic, with clear on-screen prompts. Even with its large display, the Peregrine remains fairly ergonomic thanks to its thin, low-profile design. It was our Best Buy for dive computers over $450. $495; shearwater.com

2. Aqualung i330R

This Bluetooth-compatible computer uses large characters and bold colors to make data pop for easy reading at a glance. It scored very good for ergonomics, with testers praising its compact size and shape. Beginner-friendly operation allows for easy navigation and setup with little experience, although nitrox and three-tank switching provides additional functionality for more seasoned divers. It was our Testers Choice for dive computers under $450. $359; aqualung.com

3. Garmin Descent Mk2S

Extremely lightweight, with a 43 mm case, this dive computer is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen. It scored excellent for ergonomics, and its 1.2-inch color display is equally impressive, squeezing myriad data into a sensible, well-organized layout. Operation is intuitive, and supports advanced diving like trimix and CCR, as well as additional smartwatch, sport and fitness capabilities. The Descent Mk2S was our Testers Choice for computers over $450. $999.99; buy.garmin.com

4. Seac Screen

This computer’s nearly 2-inch-wide display provides ample real estate for large, easy-to-read characters without cluttering the screen. NDL and stop depth and time are displayed using a dot matrix display for additional clarity. Its clean presentation and excellent backlight make for easy reading in all conditions. Despite its width, the Screen’s thin, slightly curved design is surprisingly ergonomic. It was our Best Buy for computers under $450. $299; seacsub.com

Bags

1. Apek 90L Roller

Even when stuffed to the gills, this bag’s streamlined dimensions, smooth roller wheels and multiple ergonomic grips make for easy wheeling, lifting and wrangling. Tough, water- shedding fabric and high-end hardware give the bag impressive durability, and a premium look and feel. Though compact, there’s enough space inside for everything a scuba diver might need for a weekend dive getaway. A large exterior pocket allows divers to keep clothing and dive gear separate. Easy-to-use external compression straps help cinch everything down and secure the load. The 90L Roller was our Best Buy for large roller bags. $199; apeksdiving.com

2. Akona Tanami Sling Dry Pack

With a 20-liter volume, this dry bag has plenty of carrying capacity for a day on the water, and then some. For items that don’t require the protection of the PVC bag’s watertight welded seams and roll-top closure, the Tanami offers external stowage options in the form of adjustable bungees, web loops and two mesh drawstring pockets, which not only provide additional carrying capacity but allow wearers to tote wet gear without putting their dry contents at risk. The bag’s unique flat back allows it to sit comfortably against the wearer’s back when carried with the included adjustable, padded shoulder strap. It was our Best Buy for dry bags. $58; akona.com

3. Apeks 30L Dry Bag

Striking an impressive balance between its internal and external dimensions, this bag can accommodate the necessary dry gear for a day of diving, but is small enough to slide under a dive bench or airplane seat with ease. An exterior water-resistant zippered pocket provides a secure place for small, frequently needed items such as cellphones or keys. The main compartment has a padded sleeve for small laptops or tablets. External bungees are handy for securing wet towels or apparel. Fully vented padding at the back and shoulders provides exceptional comfort during long excursions. It was our Testers Choice for dry bags. $105; apeksdiving.com

4. Scubapro XP Pack Duo

This tall, deep bag effortlessly accommodates all of the gear a diver could want for a weeklong dive trip, and is split into two large compartments for easy packing and organizing of dive gear, clothes and personal items. The sections can be accessed independently, and the front compartment has an exterior zipper that can be opened without undoing the bag’s external compression straps. Despite its enormous capacity, the bag’s narrow profile makes it easy to maneuver through tight quarters, and well-placed grips provide excellent leverage when lifting. Durable construction and tough hardware are built to last. The XP Pack Duo was our Testers Choice for large roller bags. $323; scubapro.com