Why Black Wetsuits Could Be Putting You at Risk

For decades, black has been the go-to colour for wetsuits. Sleek, simple, “classic.” But here’s the catch: while black may look good on land, it’s actually one of the worst colours you could wear in the ocean when it comes to shark safety.

And the reason is simple: contrast.

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Sharks See the Ocean Differently

Sharks don’t see the world in bright tropical colours like we do. Their vision is tuned almost entirely to contrast in the blue-green spectrum — the wavelengths of light that penetrate deepest underwater. Instead of Great White sharks noticing fine details or reds and yellows, they’re highly skilled at spotting dark shapes moving against lighter backgrounds.

That’s why their retinas are packed with rod cells (which specialise in low-light, high-contrast vision), giving them the ability to detect silhouettes even in murky water or at dawn and dusk.

So when you slip into a black wetsuit, you’re essentially turning yourself into a high-contrast silhouette — the exact thing sharks are best at detecting.

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Mistaken Identity: The Real Danger

Most shark bites aren’t a calculated hunt. They’re cases of mistaken identity.

From below, a surfer on a board in a black wetsuit can look a lot like a seal — one of a shark’s favourite meals. 

And research backs this up: over 90% of shark bites occur on exposed arms and legs — the parts of the body that are most visible and moving. Combine that movement with the stark outline of black neoprene, and you’ve got an unintentional invitation for curiosity.

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Why Colour Alone Isn’t Enough

You might be thinking: “Okay, so I’ll just wear a coloured wetsuit instead.”

Colours can help — but the ocean background is constantly shifting. Light, depth, turbidity, and wave action all change how your wetsuit looks underwater. A flat block of colour, even blue or green, won’t adapt to those changes.

That’s why nature rarely uses flat colours for camouflage. Instead, marine animals rely on patterns and reflectivity.

• Bottom-dwellers blend into sand and reef.

• Mid-water fish shimmer silver, reflecting their surroundings.

• Open-water species use soft gradients to blur their outlines.

This strategy is called disruptive coloration — breaking up the body’s outline so predators can’t “lock on.”

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The Fader Sharkview™ Difference

This is where Fader Sharkview™ comes in. Rather than relying on outdated all-black neoprene, Fader Sharkview™ wetsuits use:

• Soft, organic patterns that mimic natural camouflage.

• Disrupted outlines that make the body harder to detect.

• Reflective elements designed to blend with the water’s surface.

• Non-prey cues that sharks instinctively avoid.

• Contrast Gradient Pattern that gradually changes from one shade to another, just as light does underwater 

By reducing contrast in the wavelengths sharks see best and disguising human outlines, Fader Sharkview™ makes it much harder for a shark to mistake you for food.

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Rethinking “Classic” Black

Here’s the thing: neoprene itself is naturally black. That’s why most wetsuits you see are black — not because it’s the safest choice, but because it’s simply the default colour the material comes in. The outer nylon fabric can be dyed in different shades, but the base neoprene underneath stays black. Over time, surf culture embraced this as the “classic look,” and black wetsuits became the norm.

The problem? What’s standard isn’t always what’s smartest. If safety and performance matter, it’s worth questioning whether blending in with the surf crowd is worth standing out in a shark’s vision.

Ocean lovers deserve gear that works with nature, not against it. Fader Sharkview™ takes cues from marine camouflage to offer a safer alternative — so you can focus on waves, not worries.