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There are many beekeeping suits out there awaiting your purchase, but which brand and style should you choose and why?
How To Choose What’s Best For You
Some considerations to make when buying a bee suit are:
- What size should I go for?
- Should I get an all-in-one suit?
- Should I get a vented suit?
- Which type of veil do I need?
- How thick does my suit need to be?
- What is the best material for my suit?
- How many pockets will I need?
Some of these are down to personal preference, but a couple of these points should be seriously considered.
It is often advised to get a bee suit a size up from your usual size. This way, you have plenty of wriggle room if you put your suit over your everyday clothes.
The type of veil is a personal choice, but be sure to choose one that allows plenty of space between your face and the mesh. Thickness is also important; a bee sting is 3mm long, so it stands to reason to purchase a suit with a material thickness higher than this.
The Curator’s Choice: OZ ARMOUR CO Khaki Polycotton
My favourite to date is the OZ ARMOUR CO Khaki Polycotton Beekeeping Suit, which comes with a fencing veil and a round brim hat.
For reference, I am 5’11” and around 97kg. I usually wear a size large, but I purchased the XL. To be honest, I probably didn’t need the next size up, but I am incredibly comfortable wearing it. The suit is fully sting-resistant—suffice it to say, I have not been stung once while wearing it. This is an all-around premium quality suit, which makes it difficult to find any cons.
Veil Of the two options included, I mainly use the fencing veil. The edges sit well away from my ears and face, giving me confidence I won’t get a nasty surprise during a hive inspection. The zip attaching it to the main suit is hidden under a velcro flap once fastened, providing an excellent layer of extra protection.
Arms and Legs The sleeves and ankles have velcro straps that you can fasten tightly to close any gaps that bees might find their way into. There are also elasticated thumb and foot straps to help prevent the suit from riding up when you stretch or bend over the brood box.
Pockets There is a multitude of pockets on this suit: chest pockets, arm pockets, waist pockets, and leg pockets. You will never run out of space for your hive tool or marker pens.
Material The suit is made from a breathable, highly durable mixture of 60% high-quality cotton and 40% polyester.
