Sharkskin vs Lavacore: How Do They Compare?
Lavacore is one of the better known names in neoprene-free thermal wear, alongside Sharkskin, and if you are comparing the two you have already ruled out a traditional wetsuit as your first layer. Here is a fair look at how they compare.
What they have in common
Both Sharkskin and Lavacore are built on the same idea: thermal protection without neoprene, worn on its own in warmer conditions or layered under a wetsuit or drysuit when it is cold. Both aim to keep you warmer out of the water than neoprene does, and both are popular with divers who travel and do not want a wetsuit eating their luggage.
Where they differ
Range and versatility
Sharkskin is built as a broader range: Chillproof and T2 Titanium, plus rashguards, gloves, socks, beanies and vests, aimed at moving across diving, snorkelling, surf, kite, SUP and swimming with the same kit. Lavacore is also used across multiple watersports, but is most established specifically within diving. If you want one range to cover several sports with a single wardrobe, that is where Sharkskin's positioning is stronger.
Warmth in and out of the water
Both are designed to give solid in-water warmth and wind protection topside. This is a genuine case of two credible products doing a similar job - how each fabric feels against your skin, and how it fits your body, will tell you more than any general comparison can.
Drying and travel
Both dry faster and pack smaller than a neoprene wetsuit, which is the main reason travelling divers choose either of them over a full suit.
Durability for schools and rental fleets
Sharkskin is specifically carried by a number of dive centres and schools for course and rental use, thanks to its durability under repeated use. If you are a school or shop stocking for rental, that track record is worth asking about with any thermal range you consider, including Lavacore.
Availability and support in Europe
Sharkskin Europe distributes and imports the Sharkskin brand across most of the continent, with local stock and support rather than importing from further afield. Lavacore is a well known US brand with its own distribution routes into Europe. If EU-based stock, delivery and support matter to your buying decision, that is a practical point in Sharkskin's favour.
At a glance
| Sharkskin | Lavacore | |
|---|---|---|
| Neoprene-free thermal | Yes | Yes |
| Warm in the water | Yes | Yes |
| Warm out of the water | Yes - windproof | Yes - designed for this |
| Layers under a wetsuit/drysuit | Yes | Yes |
| Range breadth | Two core ranges plus accessories | Focused thermal line |
| Multi-sport positioning | Dive, surf, kite, SUP, swim | Mainly dive-established |
| Brand origin | Australian | American |
| European distribution | Sharkskin Europe, EU-based | Imported from the US |
When Lavacore wins
If you already own and rate Lavacore, or you have tried it and it fits you well, there is no reason to switch on the strength of a comparison page. Fit and personal comfort against your own skin matter more than brand here, and Lavacore has a genuine following among divers for good reason. If your diving is mainly one destination, one club, or one style of trip, and Lavacore already works for you and is easy to get hold of, that habit is worth more than switching for its own sake.
A few practical questions to ask yourself
- Do you only dive, or do you also surf, kite, paddle or swim? The more sports you want one range to cover, the more Sharkskin's broader line-up is built for that.
- Do you buy through a local shop or school? Ask what they stock and why - a shop that has tried both will usually have an honest view based on what actually holds up and sells through.
- How much does EU delivery and support matter to you? If you want to deal with a distributor based in Europe rather than import from further afield, factor that into the decision alongside the fabric itself.
- Will you wear it alone, or mostly as a layer? Both brands are built to do either job, so think about which use is more common for you before you buy.
So which should you choose?
If you can, try both. If you cannot, and you want one range that covers several water sports with local European stock and support behind it, Sharkskin is worth a look. For the wider question of thermal wear against a traditional wetsuit, see Sharkskin vs a Neoprene Wetsuit. We also compare Sharkskin fairly against another established neoprene-free range in Sharkskin vs Fourth Element Thermocline.
You can see the current Chillproof and T2 Titanium range at sharkskineurope.com, and the care and warranty guide covers looking after it.