A great surprise?  Yes, in many ways, and in so many details that I don’t know where and how to write about it.

MARES has changed a lot of its range to mark its 70th anniversary. Much equipment has been eliminated and replaced by newer and more technically advanced ones. It is worthwhile to browse the website of MARES www.mares.com

But back to the new semi-dry suit Flexa Z-Therm, a new, innovative semidry-suit that differs in many ways from the other diving suits. This is best seen in the MARES video:

As you can see in the video, there are some differences to the traditional suits of MARES and other manufacturers.

The front zipper is particularly striking, which is not horizontal as in other semi-dry, but runs from top left to bottom right. That's why the new suit owes its name to Z-Therm. At first, you think that makes it a lot easier to don the suit, but it's not that easy. MARES has therefore also released a video that explains how to put the Z-Therm on and off.

Here is the video:

After the beautiful presentation videos but now in detail, here is my personal experience and opinion.
Very eagerly we had waited for the arrival of the suits from Italy. When they finally arrived, they were unpacked and inspected.
The first questions came to me. The first thing you notice is, of course, what you could already see in the video, that the hood is integrated. This is of course a matter of taste. I myself often dive without a hood, especially in the summertime, when the water temperature in the Canaries is around 24ºC. In the winter time or video, where you move less, of course, the hood is there.
Next, I noticed the material, super soft and flexible. In addition, the zipper and the double body fold, as one normally sees only with a Drysuit. I must admit I had my doubts. When I saw that there were no zippers and double neoprene on the wrists and ankles, I was even more disappointed. The first impression so, more than a wetsuit but will not give what I expect from a semi- dry.
Then the first try in the shop. You must get used to the new form of dressing, but what is the instruction video for? The material is very flexible and soft, you just feel good. And it was quite warm when trying on. The front zip allows you to close and open your suit yourself, which can be very helpful. Well, what matters is how the suit works in the water. And the next day the suit was inaugurated directly by us.

As I said, I had my doubts, but after a 60 minutes dive in Montaña Amarilla, I had no doubt, on the contrary. Despite winter time, at 19ºC water temperature, I was still warm in the first 30 minutes, even on legs and arms. The rest of the diving time was at a comfortable body temperature, feeling cold did not occur at all. Simply great. The feel is super light, flexible and comfortable. The double fold did not bother, nor even the hood. All around an excellent semi-dry suit that had been absolutely proven and continues to prove itself. This is an ingenious achievement of the development department of MARES. A real innovation in the field of diving suits in the market. In my opinion, the other brands will need some time to follow developing a suit like this one. All in all, we are completely satisfied with our new suits, thank you MARES !!!!

Pros:  lightweight, flexible material, large pocket, front zip, integrated hood

Contras: getting used to and getting dressed, integrated hood (personal matter of opinion)

Summary: Absolutely recommendable !!!!