Many beekeepers prefer to work on their hives while wearing a beekeeping suit. Suits offer a level of protection and comfort that goes beyond the standard veil and gloves. Whether you’re inspecting your hive, harvesting honey, or treating your colony, a beekeeping suit is an essential piece of protection gear.
With so many suits on the market, it can be a challenge to figure out what to buy. We have researched and put together this list of the very best beekeeping suits for your needs.
If you haven’t read our detailed buying guide for beekeeping suits, be sure to check it the Ultimate Buying Guide for Beekeeping Suits.
Critical Considerations
While coverage is an important factor to consider, there are several other key considerations when choosing the appropriate beekeeping suit like fabric, level of protection, visibility, and pockets (storage). We consider all of these factors for the list of the best beekeeping suits. If you want to learn more about those topics, scroll to the bottom of this post for our Critical Considerations section.
To make this list, these suits had to offer:
- A good value for the price
- A wide range of sight
- Pockets or other another storage feature
- Breathability to the wearer
Available Sizes: XXS – XXL
Fabric: 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester
Veil Type: Fencing
Features: Machine Washable, Self-Supporting Veil, Reinforced Protection, 5 color options including: camouflage, khaki, pink, sand (tan) and white
- Reinforced zippers with proper closures
- Many large pockets to accommodate right- and left-handed people
- Veil secured by zipper
- Reinforced thick collar for neck protection
- Strong elastics at the wrists and ankles
Con:
- Not ventilated so wearer will get hot and sweaty in a humid environment
Available Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Fabric: Polycotton (50% cotton / 50% synthetic blend)
Veil Type: FencingFeatures: Carrying Case for Storage, Double-Stitched Pockets, 2-Year Home Warranty, Great Customer Service
- Heavy duty, brass zippers
- Self-Supporting, removable round veil
- 360° mesh for unobstructed viewing
- 10 pockets total (6 double-stitched front pockets, 4 nylon hive tool pockets)
- Comparable to commercial grade quality
- Elastic bands that can be slipped over thumbs at the arms and slipped over shoes at the foot
- Not Machine Washable; Dry cleaning recommended
Available Sizes: S – XXL
Fabric: Cotton
Veil Type: Round
Features: Removable Round Veil with Peripheral Vision
Pros:
- Brass, Heavy-Duty Zipper
- Breathable Fabric
- Thumb straps for more control over the fabric
- Good customer service
Con:
- Veil is more oval and can interfere with activities
Available Sizes: XS – XXXL
Fabric: 50% cotton / 50% synthetic blend
Veil Type: Round
Features: Carrying Case for Storage, Double-Stitched Pockets, 2-Year Home Warranty, Great Customer Service, 5 Layers of Fabrics
Pros:
- Designed with ventilation in mind, ideal for humid areas
- 360° mesh for unobstructed viewing
- Cushioned knee pads
Con:
- Only four pockets for tools and storage
Available Sizes: XS – 8XL
Fabric: Triple Layer Fabric Mesh
Veil Type: Round
Features: Focus on Air Circulation, Velcro and Elastics on the Ankles and Wrists, Reinforced Pockets, Overlapping Zippers, Machine Washable
Pros:
- Secured veil with a patented insert within the hood
- Built-In Knee Pads
- 2-Year Warranty
- Large Front Pockets
Con:
- Some reviewers had to wear an additional hat underneath the veil for added distance between the veil and their face
Available Sizes: XS – XXXL
Fabric: 65% Cotton, 35% Polyester & Natural Latex
Veil Type: Fencing
Features: Large Front Pockets, Storage Bag, Machine Washable
Pros:
- 3 layers of polycotton and mesh for maximum ventilation and protection
- A sturdy veil offering high visibility
- Reinforced sleeves
- Full replacement warranty
Con:
- No overlapping zippers for the veil
Available Sizes: XS – XXL
Fabric: Layers of Polyester or Polyester/Vinyl
Veil Type: Fencing
Features: Machine Washable, Elastic and Velcro Straps, Many Large Pockets
Pros:
- Focused on ventilation, ideal for keeping cool during hot and humid weather
- Very thick layers make the suit better resistant to stings
- Great Customer Service
- Recommended by several reviewers with bee allergies
Con:
- Requires lubrication with wax to make suit less stiff
Available Sizes: L – XXL
Fabric: Polycotton
Veil Type: Fencing
Features: Foldable Veil for Easy Storage, Elastic Cuffs, Machine Washable
Pros:
- Self-supporting veil offering high visibility
- Several large front pockets for tools
- Velcro flap to cover zippers
Con:
- Sizes run small
Available Sizes: XXS – XXXL
Fabric: Cotton
Veil Type: Fencing
Features: Sturdy Zippers with Velcro Seals, Cuffs with Thumb Loops, Large Thigh Pockets, Key Fob Storage, Machine Washable, 3 color options including: camouflage, pink, and white
Pros:
- Reinforced thick collar for neck protection
- Long zippers on the legs, including zippers on the calves
- Lifetime Warranty
Con:
- N/A
Available Sizes: XS – XXXL
Fabric: Synthetic Fabric
Veil Type: Round
Features: Self-Supporting Veil, Thumb and Foot Holders, Carrying Case for Storage, Four Pockets
Pros:
- Designed with aeration in mind, ideal for humid areas
- Sturdy, heavy zippers with seals
- 2-year warranty
Con:
- The rim of the hat is small
Criteria Suit Considerations
Fabric
Appropriate fabric can protect the wearer from bee stings. With the fabrics are too thin, the beekeeper will feel every sting. The fabric should also be breathable so the wearer is not uncomfortable during the warmer months. Proper airflow should be considered so the beekeeper is not easily exhausted during activities.
Durability
A proper beekeeping suit should be strong enough to resist bee stings for a long period of time. All of the stitching should be strong and secure. Zippers should be thick and close all the way (leaving no gaps or holes for bees to climb through). The ends of the leaves and pants should close firmly and not allow for additional gaps.
Visibility
This may sound obvious, but it important to be able to see what you’re doing while inspecting and handling hives. High quality veils will be thinly meshed for increased visibility. The veil should always be away from the face and offer peripheral vision.
Pockets
Pockets are essential when tending to hives because it allows the beekeeper to easily access their tools. A good beekeeping suit with have many pockets and loops for holding tools.