Best beekeeper suit
Bees are one of the most important species on the planet for their ability to pollinate food plants on top of making delicious honey. Working with bees and keeping hives can be an extremely satisfying and enjoyable profession or hobby, but you’ll definitely want a high-quality protective beekeeper suit to keep your flying friends from stinging you. And since bees die after they sting, wearing a beekeeping suit protects the bees from harm, as well.
Whether you’re a beekeeping novice or a seasoned professional, there are a few important things to mull over while shopping for a suit. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of beekeeper suits available, some key considerations and a few of our top picks.
Types of beekeeper suits
Full-length jumpsuit beekeeper suit
A full-length jumpsuit is the most protective option, as it covers your entire body, including neck, wrists and ankles. Many full-length jumpsuits also come with an attached or zippered veil and hood and may also come with boots and gloves. If you’re a serious beekeeper, you may want to look for a suit with thick sleeves for extra protection and reinforced knees for comfortable kneeling. You’ll also want to look for a suit that’s easy to put on and take off.
Jacket or smock beekeeper suit
A jacket or smock beekeeper suit only covers the top part of your body and does not protect your legs, ankles or feet from bee stings. This type of suit can be worn over your clothes and typically comes with a detachable hood and veil. When using a smock-style beekeeper suit, it’s important to wear long protective clothing, such as long pants, thick socks and boots to avoid stings on other parts of your body.
As a jacket lacks the full-length protection of a jumpsuit, this type of beekeeper suit is usually used for occasional or emergency use and is not the preferred option for professional apiarists. For extra protection, you may want to purchase a pair of beekeeping gloves, like these Humble Bee Goatskin Beekeeping Gloves, or even a pair of canvas beekeeping pants.
What to look for in a beekeeper suit
Fit and fabric
Look for a beekeeping suit that fits loosely, so that you can move freely and don’t feel restricted. A loose fit also adds further protection as it leaves air between your skin and potential stings. Look for a fabric that’s thick but also breathable, especially if you live in a warm climate or you’ll be wearing the suit for hours at a time.
Canvas, cotton, nylon and polyester are the most common fabrics used for beekeeping suits. A thick canvas, cotton or polyester-cotton blend suit offers superior protection but is often heavier and less breathable than other materials. Nylon is similarly protective but offers very little ventilation. You may also find newer beekeeper suits made from foam mesh, such as the Ultra Breeze Beekeeping Suit. These suits offer excellent ventilation and protect you by keeping a thick pocket of air between the suit and your skin.
Hat and veil
The veil is one of the most important components of your beekeeper suit. A hanging mesh veil protects your face from stings while allowing you to see what you’re doing. Look for a veil that allows for good visibility while still offering superior protection. You’ll find three different veil shapes on the market: round, fencing and square.
Round veils: These are the most traditional type of beekeeping veil and are attached to the brim of a round hat. This type of veil provides both good ventilation and a wide field of vision.
Fencing veils: These veils are a newer type of beekeeper veil that’s attached to the hood of your beekeeper suit, providing a tighter veil that doesn’t hang loosely like a round veil. These veils are also collapsible for easy portability and do not require a hat. You have a bit less peripheral vision with this type of veil than you do with a round veil.
Square veils: Square veils are essentially mesh boxes attached to a tall hat. This type of veil provides excellent ventilation while maintaining a good field of vision. Like a fencing veil, it provides a tighter fit while still leaving plenty of room between your face and potential stings. Plus, it folds flat for easy storage.
Security
A good beekeeping suit has high-quality elastic around wrists, ankles and waist to prevent the suit from slipping as you move. You’ll also want to make sure the seams are tightly and securely stitched and that the zippers are strong and made from a durable material. A suit with a reinforced collar and neckline will give you additional protection on your neck.
Tool pockets
Look for a beekeeping suit with lots of pockets to hold any tools and accessories you’ll need when working with your hives, such as a hive grip or a hive smoker. Both full-length jumpsuits and jacket-style suits offer plenty of pockets, depending on the brand.
Carrying case
Some beekeeping suits come with a convenient carrying case for easy storage and portability.
Beekeeper suit cost
The price of a beekeeper suit can vary quite a bit, from as little as $30 to upwards of $300. The price primarily depends on the fabric, durability and security of the suit. Jackets and smocks tend to cost less than full-length jumpsuits. The lower-priced suits are best for novices or otherwise casual beekeepers who work with bees infrequently, whereas the more expensive options are best for serious beekeepers and professionals. Wherever you land, you’ll want to look for a suit that secures tightly and will not easily tear. In general, you get what you pay for.
Best beekeeper suits
Best of the best beekeeper suit
Natural Apiary Apiarist Beekeeper Suit: available at Amazon
Our take: A high-quality breathable cotton beekeeper suit that’s ideal for beginning apiarists.
What we like: Breathable material with good ventilation makes it suitable for hot climates. It includes a carrying bag for easy portability, and the fencing veil is detachable for good visibility.
What we dislike: Bees can sting through parts of the fabric, so this suit is not best for professional use.
Best bang for your buck beekeeper suit
VIVO Professional Beekeeping Suit, Jacket, Pullover Smock: available at Amazon
Our take: A lightweight, multipurpose beekeeping jacket that’s best for occasional use.
What we like: Heavy-duty zippers are durable, and the suit’s lightweight material is breathable and well-ventilated. It also has a comfortable and roomy fit, and the collapsible veil hood adds to its portability.
What we dislike: This is only a jacket; no pants or boots are included.
Honorable mention beekeeper suit
Humble Bee 430 Ventilated Beekeeping Suit: available at Amazon
Our take: A heavy-duty and seriously protective suit that’s appropriate for expert beekeepers.
What we like: The rounded veil provides good visibility, and this suit includes gloves and a veil; the synthetic cotton material is protective, rugged and breathable.
What we dislike: Some users report that it fits a bit too tightly around the hips.
Katy Severson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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