Henderson Aquatics — Thermal Protection Since the Post-War Era
Henderson's origin is one of the more unlikely stories in dive equipment. Business partners Everett Edmund and Patrick Madison were already working in the marine industry when, shortly after World War II, the US Navy decided it no longer needed its diving services and sold off its entire inventory of Mark V diving suits as surplus — to Edmund and Madison. The Navy reversed course a short time later and reinstated its dive program, but by then Edmund and Madison had identified a real opportunity: as recreational scuba diving began to grow, divers needed thermal protection, and nobody was making it well. The company took its name from the Henderson boatyard in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the original wetsuit factory was located. The earliest Henderson wetsuits weren't even finished products — they were build-it-yourself kits containing a roll of neoprene, a pattern, and a bottle of neoprene cement.
Everett Edmund went on to patent the original zip-on wetsuit, which became standard issue for the US Navy and US Coast Guard. Under later leadership, Henderson became the first wetsuit manufacturer to design specifically for women, and the brand's wetsuits began appearing in fashion magazines like Elle and Cosmo — establishing that thermal protection didn't have to sacrifice style. The company's materials innovation continued for decades: Gold Core (skin-in warmth technology), Hyperstretch (the first ultra-stretch wetsuit), Microprene, and Insta Dry (a wetsuit that dries inside and out in minutes) all came out of Henderson's development pipeline. Today, Henderson is part of the Henderson Sport Group, based in Millville, New Jersey, just miles from where the original boatyard stood.
At DiveCatalog.com, we carry the current Henderson lineup as an authorized dealer: Greenprene, Aqualock, Thermoprene Pro, and Thermoprene wetsuits, along with hoods, gloves, vests, and other accessories.
The Henderson Material Technologies
Greenprene — Sustainable, High-Performance Insulation
Greenprene is Henderson's neoprene-free insulating foam, formulated from deproteinized natural materials including sugar cane, plant oils, and oyster shells. The result is a bio-based foam that's ultra-soft, exceptionally stretchy, durable, and significantly lighter than traditional neoprene — while offering excellent UV resistance. Because it's neoprene-free, Greenprene can also be a workable option for divers who experience allergic reactions to traditional neoprene (Henderson recommends a patch test to confirm). The exterior fabric laminates carry the sustainability commitment further: AQUA-SILK is woven from recycled water bottles (88% recycled polyester, 12% spandex, AZO-free and Oeko-Tex certified) and chosen for its abrasion and hook-and-loop resistance and fast-drying properties, while BIO-SPAN is selected for superior comfort, warmth, and stretch. Even the packaging is part of the program — recycled cardboard boxes, suits hand-wrapped in recycled paper, and hangtags printed with soy-based inks on recycled stock.
Aqualock — Semi-Dry Interlocking System
Aqualock is Henderson's semi-dry system built around interlocking openings at the wrist, ankle, and neck that mate precisely with matching Aqualock hoods, boots, and gloves. The result is a wetsuit that performs much closer to a semi-dry or light drysuit — dramatically reducing water flushing at the openings compared to a standard wetsuit seal, while keeping the flexibility and simplicity of a wetsuit system. The Quikdry line within Aqualock (bib hoods, gloves, and accessories) is built around fast-drying materials for repeat-use convenience.
Thermoprene — The Proven Workhorse
Thermoprene is Henderson's long-standing primary wetsuit line, built with a foam formula that balances warmth, stretch, and value. Thermoprene suits offer roughly 75% more stretch than Henderson's standard premium neoprene line, with glued-and-sewn seam construction for durability. The Thermoprene range spans Johns, Shortys (in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve front-zip configurations), full Jumpsuits, and matching hooded vests, available across 3mm, 5mm, and 7mm thicknesses for men, women, and children.
Thermoprene Pro — The Performance Upgrade
Thermoprene Pro takes the core Thermoprene formula and pushes it further: 250% full-stretch fabric for a wetsuit that genuinely conforms to the body rather than just stretching at the seams. Seams are minimized by design and use glued, blind-stitched construction to resist water leakage at every join — a meaningful upgrade for cold-water and winter diving where seam integrity directly affects warmth. The exterior fabric and hook-and-loop dock are built to resist Velcro snagging onto other parts of the suit, a small but persistent annoyance Henderson specifically engineered out.
Talon — Built to Military-Grade Special Operations Standards
Henderson's military pedigree resurfaces in the Talon line, built to the same cutting, material, and stitching standards as suits supplied for US Special Operations diving. Each Talon suit is individually made, bears a registration number and certificate of authenticity, and combines military-grade neoprene with Henderson's Hyperstretch Thermoprene technology and a Fire Fleece lining for warmth at depth. A back-zip entry with a pull tab allows fast, independent donning and doffing — a deliberate design choice for rapid deployment scenarios.
Who Are Henderson Wetsuits For?
| Diver Type |
Recommended Henderson Line |
Key Reason |
| Eco-conscious divers, or those sensitive to neoprene |
Greenprene |
Bio-based, neoprene-free insulating foam; lighter and exceptionally stretchy |
| Cold-water divers wanting reduced water flushing |
Aqualock |
Interlocking semi-dry system at wrist, ankle, and neck openings |
| Divers wanting a proven, accessible primary wetsuit |
Thermoprene |
Reliable warmth, generous stretch, full range of thicknesses and cuts |
| Divers wanting maximum flexibility and seam integrity |
Thermoprene Pro |
250% full-stretch fabric; minimal, glued-and-blind-stitched seams |
| Military, public safety, or special operations divers |
Talon |
Made to Special Ops material and construction standards; individually built |
Why Buy Henderson from DiveCatalog.com?
-
Authorized Henderson dealer — genuine products, full manufacturer warranty
-
Full range available — Greenprene, Aqualock, Thermoprene, Thermoprene Pro, and accessories
-
Expert sizing advice — our team can help you navigate Henderson's extensive size range
-
Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
-
Rewards program — earn points on every purchase
Frequently Asked Questions — Henderson Aquatics
How did Henderson get its start?
Henderson began after World War II when founders Everett Edmund and Patrick Madison acquired the US Navy's surplus Mark V diving suit inventory. As recreational scuba diving grew, they recognized the need for accessible thermal protection and founded Henderson, named for the boatyard in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the original wetsuit factory operated. Early suits were sold as build-it-yourself kits before Henderson moved to ready-made production.
What is Greenprene and how is it different from neoprene?
Greenprene is a bio-based insulating foam made from deproteinized natural materials — sugar cane, plant oils, and oyster shells — rather than petroleum-derived neoprene. It's lighter, exceptionally stretchy, and may be a workable alternative for people who experience allergic reactions to standard neoprene, though Henderson recommends a patch test to confirm compatibility.
What is the Aqualock system?
Aqualock uses interlocking wetsuit openings at the wrist, ankle, and neck that mate precisely with matching Aqualock hoods, boots, and gloves, significantly reducing water flushing compared to a standard wetsuit seal — effectively delivering semi-dry performance from a wetsuit-based system.
What is the difference between Thermoprene and Thermoprene Pro?
Both use Henderson's core thermal foam formula. Thermoprene Pro adds 250% full-stretch fabric (versus roughly 75% additional stretch on standard Thermoprene), minimized seam count, and glued-and-blind-stitched seam construction for better water resistance — making it the more technical, performance-oriented option.
Did Henderson really patent the zip-on wetsuit?
Yes — Everett Edmund, Henderson's co-founder, patented the original zip-on wetsuit closure, which became standard issue equipment for the US Navy and US Coast Guard.
Browse the full Henderson collection above, or navigate to a specific line — Greenprene, Aqualock, Thermoprene Pro, or accessories. Reach out if you'd like help choosing the right suit and thickness for your diving.
