Are you a beekeeper or someone that is toying with the idea of becoming a beekeeper?
Well, one of the first purchases you will need to make is for a bee suit. I know you see these really experienced beekeepers on YouTube working bees with no suit. However, I do NOT recommend this practice in the slightest. That is why I would like to help you pick out the best bee suit for the money.
So if you are in the market for a new bee suit, hopefully, this guide will help you to make an informed purchase.
The 10 Best Beekeeping Suits
- Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit (Our Top Pick)
- Oz Armour Beekeeping Suit
- VIVO Professional Cotton Full Body Beekeeping Suit
- VIVO Professional Jacket Beekeeping Suit
- MANN LAKE Economy Beekeeper Suit
- Natural Apiary Beekeeping Suit
- Ultra Breeze Beekeeping Jacket
- Pest Mall Complete Beekeeper Suit
- Eco-Keeper Professional Grade Beekeeper Suit
- Holulo Beekeeping Jacket
Our Top Pick for the Best Beekeeping Suit
Our top pick for the best beekeeping suit is the Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit. When working with bees, it often gets so hot that you wonder if you are going to pass out. Having a breathable suit like the Humble Bee 410 allows you to get much-needed airflow, which is priceless.
This suit comes with a rounded veil that keeps the bees at a safe distance from your face. So you can tend to your bees knowing that you will be protected in your comfortable beekeeping suit.
Check the price on AmazonWhy You Need a Beekeeping Suit
When you decide to keep bees you need a bee suit. You will need to protect yourself from the bees’ stings. Don’t automatically assume that bees are vicious creatures because they aren’t.
Actually, they only sting when they feel like their hive is threatened. So if you place yourself in their shoes and realize that a large person disrupting their home would probably seem like a threat to anyone if you weren’t sure what was going on.
So with that in mind, be kind to the bees and buy a bee suit. That way you will be protected from them doing what they do when they feel their home is under attack.
However, as time goes on, we have learned in our experience that the bees get used to you and no longer feel you are a threat so they are less likely to sting as you progress. But it is always better to be safe rather than sorry so always wear proper equipment when going through your bees.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Bee Suit
1. Temperature
I am personally a huge fan of the aerated suits because I live in the south and it is hot when layered up going through your bees.
So it is important to try to stay cool when keeping bees. For this reason, you might want to consider buying an aerated suit or at least a lighter-weight suit.
2. Color
Bees do not like dark colors. So when purchasing a bee suit you’ll have to stick with white or light pastel colors that won’t anger them.
3. Quality
Though I told you to look for a lightweight bee suit, you still need one that is made of good quality material so you won’t feel the stings if/when you do get stung.
Let’s be honest, you are going through a bee’s hive. You will get stung. It is only a matter of time, but if you have a higher quality suit you won’t feel it as much.
4. Veil
You need a suit with a veil. You don’t have to buy the suit and veil together, but I prefer a veil built into my suit so I don’t have to worry about the veil sliding up and my face being exposed to the bees.
However, I am a fan of the rounded veil because it keeps the bees farther away from my face. A lot of bee suits come with collapsible or fencing veils. If you wear one, I recommend putting a ball cap underneath the veil to keep it standing farther out from your face.
5. Security
You need a suit with quality zippers and elastic around the wrist, ankles, and waist. This will ensure that your suit stays down as it should so you don’t have uninvited bees flying around inside your suit.
10 Best Beekeeping Suits – Reviews
1. Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit
If you need extra airflow in your suit, then you’ll love the Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit. The polyester is durable and the cotton is breathable. Its elastic waist, wrists, and ankles provide you with a tailored fit.
Plus, this bee suit comes with a removable rounded veil to keep your face protected while working with your bees.
Pros
- Durable and breathable fabric
- Removable rounded veil
- Elastic waist, wrists, and ankles provide a tailored fit
- Available in sizes up to XXX-large
Cons
- Not available in linen white
2. Oz Armour Beekeeping Suit
The Oz Armour Beekeeping Suit provides good protection from stinging bees and is suitable for beginner beekeepers.
It is made from ventilated fabric and has adjustable Velcro elastic on the ankles and wrists. Leg-high zippers allow for easy wearing and removal of the suit.
This beekeeping suit has a round brim hat with a front-opening veil and it comes in a wide range of sizes that range from x-small to 8X-large.
Pros
- Good price
- Ventilated fabric
- Adjustable Velcro elastic on the ankles and wrists
- Leg-high zippers
- Round brim hat has a front-opening veil
Cons
- Sizes are not very consistent
3. VIVO Professional Cotton Full Body Beekeeping Suit
The VIVO Professional Cotton Full Body Beekeeping Suit is a basic suit that would be suitable for most beginner beekeepers. It has elastic wrist and ankle openings to keep the suit secure while working in your bees.
However, this suit also has a self-supported collapsible veil. It is also recommended to fit someone up to approximately 5’9” in height.
Pros
- Price is reasonable
- Has heavy zippers to fasten the suit securely
- Labeled as being comfortable and lightweight while also protective
- Does include a veil
Cons
- Collapsible veil instead of a rounded veil which does mean that the bees can get closer to your face
4. VIVO Professional Jacket Beekeeping Suit
This VIVO Professional Jacket Beekeeping Suit is a good investment for the new beekeeper. If you don’t wish to invest in a full-blown suit, then you might want to consider buying the jacket only and wearing it with some loose-fitting pants. This is a personal decision, but one that some new beekeepers do make.
So this beekeeping jacket is hand washable and has a large front pocket which is great for carrying necessary tools. It also has elastic cuffs on the sleeves and waist. The jacket is also lightweight while being labeled protective.
Pros
- Lightweight and protective
- Large pocket for carrying beekeeping tools
- Includes attached rounded veil
- Easy to care for
Cons
- Isn’t a full suit so it doesn’t provide full-body protection
- No thumb holds to keep the suit from sliding up while working in bees
5. MANN LAKE Economy Beekeeper Suit
This MANN LAKE Economy Beekeeper Suit has a lot of quality features. It has zippers at the ankles to make getting in and out of the suit quickly and easily much simpler. The suit also has a thumb hold to keep sleeves from riding up.
Also, this suit has a self-supporting collapsible veil with a double layer of fabric on the backside of the veil for extra protection. It also has elastic in the wrists and ankles along with heavy-duty zippers to keep the suit secured.
Pros
- Priced reasonably for all of the features available
- Thumb hold
- Easy entry and exit into the suit because of the zippers at the ankles
- Does come with extra protection on the backside of the veil
Cons
- Not fans of the collapsible veil. For me, the bees get too close to my face for comfort
6. Natural Apiary Beekeeping Suit
This Natural Apiary Beekeeping Suit comes with a lot of protection and a side of fashion. If you are looking for elastic in all openings to be kept securely closed off from the bees, then you might be interested in this suit.
However, this suit also comes in multiple soft colors. This is okay because bees just don’t like really dark colors. So you can still feel fashionable while working in your bees.
Pros
- Comes in sizes up to XXXL
- Available in different soft colors
- Easy zip on
- Secure seal with elastic at the ankles and hands
Cons
- Fencing veil
7. Ultra Breeze Beekeeping Jacket
As mentioned earlier, some starter beekeepers don’t like investing in a full-blown suit. This is a personal preference and decision to be made. Just realize that you do up your chances of being stung if you don’t cover the lower part of your body correctly. However, this Ultra Breeze Beekeeping Jacket is offered in ventilated material to keep you cool while working in your bees.
It does come with a veil as well which saves you money since you are buying it in a bundle.
Pros
- Available in sizes up to XXL
- Does come with a veil
- Made from ventilated material
- Easy care since it can be washed in a washing machine
Cons
- Fencing veil
- Doesn’t offer full body protection
8. Pest Mall Complete Beekeeper Suit
This Pest Mall Complete Beekeeper Suit is a complete beekeeper suit. Though the specifications are not given as to what exactly comes with your purchase, it does appear to at least send you the suit with a veil.
However, they are in limited sizes from a large to XXL. You also must email them to specify what size suit you desire, or they won’t ship your order.
Pros
- Full suit
- Rounded veil
Cons
- Product description is very vague
- Limited sizes
- Price is a little high considering the vague product description
9. Eco-Keeper Professional Grade Beekeeper Suit
This Eco-Keeper Professional Grade Beekeeper Suit gives you a lot of bang for your buck. You get a complete suit with a veil for a very reasonable price. You also get the security of heavy zippers and a double-layered hood.
Plus, it is also available in sizes from medium to XXL. However, it does only fit people up to the height of 5’10” which excludes those that are taller from being able to utilize this suit properly.
Pros
- Available in sizes up to XXL
- Heavy-duty zippers
- Double layered hood
- Two-way neck zipper
- Does include a veil
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Fencing veil
10. Holulo Beekeeping Jacket
This Holulo Beekeeping Jacket is only a smock with a veil. However, it can be paired with beekeeping pants to make a complete suit.
As the jacket is made from lightweight, breathable polycotton fabric, it is comfortable to wear in warm weather. Its detachable veil allows for easy cleaning and storage, and the large pockets are very handy for carrying tools.
Pros
- Lightweight, breathable polycotton fabric
- Detachable veil
- Large pockets
Cons
- Not a full bodysuit
- Only available in 3 sizes: L, XL, and XXL
Our Top Pick for the Best Beekeeping Suit
Our top pick for the best beekeeping suit is the Humble Bee 410 Polycotton Beekeeping Suit. When working with bees, it often gets so hot that you wonder if you are going to pass out. Having a breathable suit like the Humble Bee 410 allows you to get much-needed airflow, which is priceless.
This suit comes with a rounded veil that keeps the bees at a safe distance from your face. So you can tend to your bees knowing that you will be protected in your comfortable beekeeping suit.
Check the price on Amazon
