sharkstopco
5mm CORE Back Zip Wetsuit | Shark Stop
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The Ultimate Shield for Cold Water: Shark Stop CORE 5mm Back Zip
Go deeper, stay longer, and dive with total peace of mind. The Shark Stop CORE 5mm Back Zip is our most heavy-duty thermal suit, engineered for those who refuse to compromise on safety in cold-water environments. While the FLEX range focuses on agility, the CORE range is built for maximum coverage, featuring an increased surface area of our shark bite–resistant material throughout the torso and key impact zones.
This is more than a wetsuit, it is a rugged, 5mm cold-water armour designed to keep you warm, buoyant, and protected when you’re miles from shore.
Why the CORE 5mm Back Zip is your ultimate cold-water companion:
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Maximum Coverage Armor: Built with more UHMWPE fiber than our Flex range, strategically focused on the torso and vital areas to provide our highest level of puncture resistance.
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Scientifically Proven: Independently tested on Great White and Tiger Sharks. Our technology is proven to prevent 100% of critical injuries in real-world shark interactions.
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Superior 5mm Thermal Core: Designed for temperatures between 12–18°C, providing heavy-duty insulation for winter swells, deep dives, and long hours in the boat.
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Easy-Entry Back Zip: Features a wide-set entry and an extended pull-cord, making it the easiest suit to get in and out of, even with cold hands.
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Internal Flush Guard: A dedicated neoprene shield sits behind the zipper to block cold water flushing, maintaining your core temperature in demanding conditions.
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Built to Last: Our high-density materials are naturally resistant to abrasions, reef cuts, and foil strikes, ensuring your investment lasts for years of rugged use.
Backed by Science
We don't just promise safety; we provide peer-reviewed proof. Our materials are at the forefront of marine safety innovation:
“Our findings suggest that lightweight bite-resistant materials integrated into traditional wetsuits designs offer a promising [...] approach to reduce injuries, haemorrhaging and tissue loss from the species responsible for most fatal bites globally.” — Clarke et al (2025)
Is the CORE 5mm Back Zip right for you?
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Cold-Water Divers & Surfers seeking the highest level of protection and insulation in temperatures below 18°C.
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Foilers & Kiteboarders in cold climates who want a heavy-duty shield against both sharks and foil-strike injuries.
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Spearfishers working in cold, deep water who require a rugged, puncture-resistant "final line of defense."
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Ocean Professionals who need a reliable, easy-to-don suit for daily commercial work in harsh conditions.
Sizing Guide
Unsure what size to choose? View our size chart
→ Still unsure? Reach out to our team for personalised sizing support. A 5mm suit provides the best protection when the fit is perfectly snug.
Sustainability: Closing the Loop
We’re committed to making our gear last, and keeping materials out of the ocean and landfill. Through our partnership with CircularFlow, we close the loop by transforming wetsuit offcuts and end-of-life suits into new, valuable materials. This ensures our resources stay in use, and out of the environment.
Liability
Wearing a Shark Stop wetsuit will not reduce the likelihood of a shark bite or prevent death by shark bite.
We encourage people to wear a Shark Stop wetsuit when working in, or enjoying the ocean, in order to reduce the extent of bodily injury caused by shark bite.
The materials used in Shark Stop wetsuits are designed only to reduce the extent of skin and soft tissue penetration caused by shark bite and Shark Stop wetsuits provide no protection from the pressure impact of a shark bite (eg. bruising, crushing and/or breaking of bones and other bodily damage) or from drowning caused by shark bite.
While extensive testing has been performed in the development of the materials used in Shark Stop wetsuits to reduce the degree of bodily injury caused by shark bite, Shark Stop wetsuits must not be considered as a life saving device and Shark Stop accepts no liability for personal injury and/or death resulting from the use of Shark Stop wetsuits.
Sustainable Materials
Sustainable Materials
At Shark Stop, we do our best to design gear that will survive the harshest ocean environments. Our philosophy is simple: the most sustainable product is one that doesn't need to be replaced. Whilst we aim to use the most durable raw materials possible, we do not do so at the expense of durability. Whether it’s the limestone based neoprene in our wetsuits or the durable packaging of our safety equipment, we prioritize high-performance materials that are built to last. We are committed to minimizing our footprint whilst also maximizing the lifespan of your gear.
Coexistence is Key
Coexistence is Key
The ocean is a wild place, and we believe it belongs to the marine life that calls it home. Our mission isn't to conquer nature, but to facilitate a respectful relationship with it.
Killing sharks will not keep us safe, and the health of our oceans relies on healthy shark populations. By changing people's perceptions of the importance of sharks and how we can coexist with them, rather than dominate them, we aim to bring to light many other issues threatening our sharks.
Personal safety is in our own hands. By equipping you with the right protection and emergency tools, we empower you to 'fear less and enjoy the ocean more’, entering the water with confidence while respecting the balance of the ecosystem.
All of our products are designed to help you enjoy the ocean with peace of mind, and be prepared should a negative interaction such as a shark bite occur.
Responsible Use
Responsible Use
Shark Stop equipment is professional-grade gear designed to mitigate risk, but it requires respect and common sense.
Know Your Gear: Whether using our wetsuits, trauma kits or any other product, ensure you are fully familiar with the product's function and application before entering the water.
Maintenance: Saltwater is unforgiving. Rinse, dry, and store your equipment according to instructions to ensure it is ready when you need it.
Ocean Awareness: No piece of equipment replaces situational awareness. Always prioritize ocean conditions, your own physical limits, and always maintain full awareness of your surroundings.
Respect Wildlife: We strongly advocate for respectful and responsible interactions with all marine life. Engaging in inappropriate or dangerous behavior with sharks while wearing a Shark Stop branded product is strictly prohibited. Such actions not only endanger your safety but also contribute to the negative impact on marine life. This includes, but is not limited to, riding a shark’s fin or any other provocative actions that can lead to a “provoked attack,” as defined by the International Shark Attack File, or touching of a shark in any way, other than to redirect for safety reasons.
Promote Positive Interactions: We believe in coexisting peacefully with marine life and we encourage all Shark Stop wetsuit wearers to promote safety and awareness within the marine environment. When you’re out in the water, always strive to observe and enjoy sharks and other marine animals from a safe distance. Avoid any actions that might disturb or provoke these creatures. Share your positive experiences responsibly and help educate others on the importance of respectful and non-provocative interactions with marine life. Remember, our goal is to ensure a harmonious relationship with the ocean’s inhabitants, promoting mutual respect and safety.
Warning & Safety
Warning & Safety
Participating in watersports in the vicinity of sharks is an inherently dangerous activity. If a shark is sighted, get to safety as soon and as calmly as possible. Do not stay in the water.
Shark behaviour can be unpredictable and a shark bite can be extremely dangerous.
Even utilising the full range of Shark Stop (or other shark bite mitigation) products, safety can never be guaranteed in a wilderness such as the ocean, or when in the vicinity of wild animals such as sharks.
Participation in ocean activities is at your own risk. Shark Stop provides tools to improve safety outcomes but is not liable in any way for injuries sustained in unpredictable marine environments.
Returns
Returns
We do not offer returns for change of mind or incorrect sizing. Our reasoning is that data shows that free returns increase sales, but also indicates that more orders are being placed before careful assessment of size guidelines. This increases outgoing and returned shipments, a consequence affecting our environment. The only proven way to decrease this negative impact of this is through mindful shopping. Prevention is key, make sure you read our sizing chart carefully.
However, as we are a purely online retailer, we are happy to discuss an exchange with you, should the wetsuit not fit you correctly.
Wetsuits should be fitted to ensure maximum warmth and comfort in the ocean, however they should not be uncomfortable or restrict movement.
We accept exchanges of unworn, unwashed and undamaged items within 30 days of purchase.
IMPORTANT NOTE
IMPORTANT NOTE
At Shark Stop, we’ve combined two world-class materials to bring you a wetsuit like no other: the protection of Shark Stop technology in strategically designed areas of the wetsuit, and the comfort and flexibility of Yamamoto 39 neoprene in other areas of the wetsuit.
Due to the nature of these two materials, we want to be upfront about a small but important detail. Owing to the contrasting nature of these two materials, the seams where the soft and supple neoprene meets the extremely strong protective Shark Stop are considered a high-stress area, particularly under the arms.
While we take every step during manufacturing to reinforce these seams where Shark Stop meets Yamamoto, it is important to note that minor tearing or splitting at these junctions is expected, particularly during the initial wears as the suit adjusts to your body and movement.
These small tears are purely cosmetic and will not affect the function or safety of your wetsuit. For extra peace of mind, you can apply a small amount of wetsuit repair adhesive to the area. Returns for seam wear in these areas will not be accepted as this is a known and expected occurrence inherent to the product’s design and material technology. Please do not purchase if you do not accept this, or any other Terms & Conditions at sharkstop.co/pages/terms.
Please note, there is less stretch in our wetsuits due to the nature of the material itself.

