Top 3 Bee Suits for Beekeepers:
1. Best Splurge: Bee Suit from Natural Apiary
If you need a heavy-duty bee suit that keeps you cool simultaneously, this one is worth every penny. This suit will feel sturdier than your other bee suits because of the excellent quality. But, it also has mesh that lets the breeze come in. I can wear shorts and a t-shirt under this suit and still feel safe.
2. Best Mid-range: Bee Suit from Oz Armour
This is a comfortable suit that offers excellent protection. It’s well ventilated, so you won’t be sweating bullets in the heat. What I appreciate the most is the design. It comes with two veils, plenty of pockets for your hive tools, and high-quality leg zippers that make taking it on and off easy.
3. Best Budget: Bee Suit from CocoBee
This is a good quality suit that fits true to size. It’s made of cotton and mesh and works well if you’re on a budget. The only caveat to this one (and other budget bee suits) is that you want to make sure you wear a hat with it. The hat will stop the veil from touching your face, preventing bees from stinging your nose and chin.
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
You’re looking for the best beekeeping suit, but you’re not sure where to start.
Couple that with the fact that there are literally hundreds of different bee suit options, and well…
It gets confusing, doesn’t it?
Trust me. You’re not alone. But I want to let you in on a little secret:
If you ask any experienced beekeeper you know, they’ll tell you that your bee suit should have two things:
- Great protection against stings
- Ventilation to keep you cool
But this is where most beginners run into trouble.
They get the first part right. They find a suit that the bees can’t sting through.
But then?
They’re sweating bullets because the cotton material isn’t breathable. So now they’re miserable because they feel like they’re going to pass out during hive inspections.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
That’s why we’ve found the top three best bee suits that keep the bees out while letting the air flow in.
You ready?
Let’s begin.
The 3 Best Beekeeping Suits:
1. Best Splurge: Bee Suit from Natural Apiary
If a point is worth making once, it’s worth making twice.
As mentioned, you want a bee suit that features two things:
- Strong protection against stings
- Ventilation to keep you cool
This bee suit is a game-changer for those two reasons.
And like the old saying goes…
You get what you pay for.
So if you want a great quality bee suit that’ll last, this one is for you.
When you first pull it out of the box, you’ll be pleased with how well-made it is.
This bee suit is about 50% thicker than other beekeeper suits. But despite being thicker, the Natural Apiary suit is about a pound lighter overall.
I live in Georgia where the heat index gets over 100 degrees. That said, I feel so much cooler when I wear ventilated suits like this one versus the traditional cotton suits.
I also feel safe wearing shorts and a t-shirt under this bee suit because of its protection.
More importantly?
This suit allows you to take your time with your hives. Because it doesn’t matter how agitated the bees are; this bee suit will let you focus on beekeeping instead of getting stung.
The design is well thought out because it allows you to move around freely. It also has full-length zippers on both legs, which let you slip the suit on and off easily.
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Triple-layered mesh
- Offers incredible protection
- It keeps you cool because it’s well-ventilated (even in high heat and humidity)
- Easy to take on and off because of the zippers on the legs
- Machine washable for easy cleanup
2. Best Mid-range: Bee Suit from Oz Armour
This bee suit offers great protection and ventilation. It has three layers of mesh fabric that let the breeze in and keep the bees out.
Because I don’t know about you…
But I live in a hot and humid climate that makes hive inspections brutally hot. If you’re not careful, you can get overheated.
With that said?
This is another suit that I can wear shorts and a t-shirt underneath and still feel completely protected and cool. I’ve had zero stings with this suit.
The sizes range from XX-Small to 8XL, and the sizing chart is incredibly easy to follow.
But what I appreciate most about this bee suit is how well designed it is.
For example, it has high leg zippers that allow you to slip in and out of this suit easily. The material is high-quality and sweat-absorbent, so you won’t feel sticky or gross.
More importantly?
This suit is machine washable, which makes cleaning a breeze. Say goodbye to the hassle of handwashing.
This bee suit comes with two veils:
- A fencing/folding veil
- A round brim veil
This allows you to pick the veil you prefer or have a backup veil if you need to replace one. Both veils also have high visibility, so your line of sight isn’t blocked.
Also, you can unzip the fencing veil to drink water. Like this:
It comes with plenty of extra pockets that are strategically placed around the suit. These pockets easily have room to carry your hive tools, extra bee smoker fuel, and your phone.
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- It offers excellent protection against stings
- Perfect for hot climates because it’s nicely ventilated
- Functional design with two veils, multiple pockets, and nice zippers
- Various sizes ranging from XX-Small to 8XL
- Machine washable for easy cleaning
3. Best Budget: Bee Suit from CocoBee
This bee suit is true to the sizing chart and is made of sturdy material. For the price, you’re getting a solid bee suit that’s well-made and breathable.
Just like the other bee suits on this list, this suit is protective and ventilated.
This suit allows the breeze to flow in, so you don’t feel like you’re going to go into a heat stroke. And more importantly, you can enjoy your backyard beekeeping without worrying about being stung.
The hood fits well, so you can easily see your bees and turn your head.
That said, I recommend wearing a hat with this suit to prevent your veil from touching your face or neck. If your veil touches your nose, chin, or neck, then the bees can sting you.
Last but not least:
This suit has elastic wrists with thumb holds to keep everything in place. The pockets are roomy, and the flaps covering the zippers are very secure.
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Good value for the money
- Solid protection against stings
- Well-ventilated, so the breeze flows in during hot days
- Sturdy fabric with plenty of pockets
The 4 Things Every Professional Bee Suit Must Have
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re in one of two camps…
You’re a beekeeper who wants to find a good quality bee suit. Or, you have a wasp or yellow jacket problem, and you need something to protect you while you remove them.
Either way, there are four things your bee suit will need to keep you safe.
Let’s start at the beginning.
1. A beekeeping hat + veil
Let’s face it.
Taking a sting to the hand or arm isn’t terrible for most people.
But the face?
Not so much.
That’s why you always want to keep your face and neck protected. Some bee suits, like the ones from Natural Apiary or Oz Armour, don’t need a hat for extra protection. That’s because the veil is sturdy and doesn’t mash up against your face, which can put you at risk of being stung.
But other bee suits (like our budget option from CocoBee) do require a hat for extra safety.
If you’re in doubt, put a hat on just in case.
Our Hat Pick:
These are the lightest weight, best ventilated beekeeping hats I’ve found. It’s helpful to use under your veil to keep the mesh away from your neck, ears, or face. It has a wide brim which also keeps the sun out of your eyes and offers sun protection for the top of your head. It also has an adjustable inner headband to fit multiple head sizes.
2. High-quality gloves
I’ll be straight up with you.
Many beekeepers dislike gloves because you lose some of your sense of touch. They can also restrict your movement.
I get it.
But, if you’re a newbie beekeeper, you should definitely start with gloves. If you later become comfortable with your colony and want to go without gloves, then you can.
But always start with your safety in mind first.
Many bee suits don’t come with gloves, so you’ll need to add a good quality pair to your cart.
Our Gloves Pick:
These gloves are soft and allow for a good amount of flexibility for dexterity. The elastic fits tightly which is good because it means bees can’t get in your gloves. They’re also reasonably priced and high-quality enough to last you a long time.
3. A sturdy beekeeper suit that’s breathable
Spoiler alert:
Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are like ninjas.
They’ll sneak up on you without you realizing it and go to town. This is why at the bare minimum, you should have a veil and a beekeeping jacket.
You want something sturdy that won’t let the bees slip in.
Because if you ask any beekeeper you know, they’ll tell you that having bees caught inside your suit isn’t fun. Plus, wardrobe malfunctions can be dangerous if you’re standing near an aggressive colony.
With that in mind, bees and wasps can easily sting through jeans. That’s why we recommend purchasing a full-body beekeeper suit.
You can order bee jackets and pants separately from each other, but that leaves more room for the bees to creep in.
(Ask me how I know)
Our Bee Suit Pick:
This is a comfortable suit that offers great protection. It’s well ventilated, so you won’t be sweating bullets in the heat. What I appreciate most is the design. It comes with two veils, plenty of pockets for your hive tools, and high-quality leg zippers that make taking it on and off easy. The two veils make this a great value for the money because you can switch between them or try both and pick your favorite.
4. Beekeeping boots
Last but certainly not least:
You need a solid pair of shoes that prevents the bees from getting to your legs. Any good quality boot will do. This includes rubber rain boots or standard work boots.
My only recommendation is for a taller boot that comes up past your ankle. These offer better protection than short boots.
Our Boots Pick:
These are solid boots that serve their purpose and will last you 10+ years if you take care of them. They can be rolled down if you prefer them shorter, but I personally leave mine high for extra protection. They also come with some safety features like a steel toe and slip resistance, which you may not need, but they’re a testament to the quality of these boots. Be sure to check the sizing chart before ordering since they’re unisex.
The Top 10 Best Bee Suits
Want more options?
I’ve got you covered. Let’s discuss our full list below.
1. Best Splurge: Bee Suit from Natural Apiary
4.5 stars on Amazon
This bee suit is worth every penny because it offers great protection. I can wear shorts and a t-shirt underneath without worrying about getting stung.
It has great ventilation, which keeps you cool during the hot summer months.
When you first pull it out of the box, you’ll be surprised at how good the quality is. One of my favorite parts is that it’s machine washable, which makes life so much easier.
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
2. Best Mid-range: Bee Suit from Oz Armour
4.7 stars on Amazon
This suit offers great protection, and it’s comfortable. Like the others on this list, you won’t be overheating in this bee suit because it’s well ventilated.
More importantly?
It has a functional design that shows it’s high-quality.
It comes with two veils that you can choose from, plenty of pockets for your hive tools, and leg zippers that make putting it on and taking it off easy.
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
“I’m new to beekeeping. I had bought a cheaper single-layer bee suit and gave it a run. I tried to remove a hive from my neighbors and got stung ten times through that suit. Then I talked to a friend who does beekeeping, and he recommended this suit. Firstly, this suit fits way better than my old one. It allows airflow a heck of a lot more too. I like the velcro around the wrists and ankles. The hive I removed had several thousand bees in it. They got very angry with me when I was transferring them to a hive box. But I didn’t get stung at all.”
3. Best Budget: Bee Suit from CocoBee
4.4 stars on Amazon
This bee suit fits true to the sizing chart. It’s a great value if you’re on a budget because it’s good quality. It’s made of cotton and mesh, which helps allow the breeze to flow in.
The only disclaimer to this bee suit (and other affordable options) is that you want to wear a hat with it. The hat stops the veil from touching your nose and chin, where a bee could sting you.
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
4. Bee Suit from Humble Bee
4.7 stars on Amazon
Humble Bee’s suit is a popular one because it’s great quality without excess bulk. This means it helps keep you stay cool during hot summer days.
But don’t get me wrong.
If you’re working in 90-100 degree temps (like me), you’ll still feel the heat. But, this bee suit makes a world of difference at keeping you cooler than other suits you’ll try.
I appreciate that the hat supports the veil and shades your eyes, so you don’t need sunglasses. It gives you clear visibility with nothing to block your view.
The padded knees make this bee suit comfortable and practical. The zippers are sturdy and metal, so no bee will slip into your suit and sting you.
Ultimately, this is a great bee suit that does what it’s supposed to do: prevents stings and keeps you cooler.
And last but not least:
Humble Bee donates 10% of its profits to bee conservation organizations.
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Offers great protection against stings
- Nicely ventilated to keep you cooler during hot days
- Functional design with cushioned knee pads, pockets, and a nice veil
- Good value for the money
- This company donates 10% of its profits to beekeeping organizations
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
5. Bee Suit from Buzz Beekeeping Supplies
4.5 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Great protection – 3 layers of ventilated mesh that keeps the bees out. There are elastic wrist and ankle cuffs that prevent them from slipping through small openings.
- Well-ventilated – It allows the airflow to come in and keeps you cooler during hot weather.
- Functional design – It features eight pockets that are deep, so your hive tools don’t fall out.
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
6. Bee Suit from BeeProGear
4.4 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Protective – This offers ultra-protection against aggressive bees.
- Well-ventilated – It allows the air to come in and keep you from getting overheated
- Multiple sizing options – The sizes range from small to 4XL
- Fits true to size – Follow the sizing chart, and you’ll get one that fits perfectly
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
7. Bee Suit from MS England
4.4 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Protective – Includes three layers of cotton/mesh fabric that prevents stings
- Well-ventilated – Lets airflow into the suit, which is ideal for hot and humid climates
- Functional design – Includes ankle cuffs and thumb/foot loops for extra security
- Machine washable – This makes cleaning much easier than hand washing
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
8. Bee Suit from Humble Bee
4.2 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Protective – This suit offers great protection without excess bulk
- Well-ventilated – Allows for the breeze to get into the suit to keep you cooler
- Functional design – Elastic wrist and ankles plus thumb and footholds
- Charity focused – This company donates 10% of their profits to bee organizations
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
9. Bee Suit from Massive Bee Store
4.3 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Protective – The material is sturdy and prevents stings
- Well-ventilated – It has 3 layers, but the mesh allows the wind to breeze in and keep you cool
- Multiple color and sizes – This is perfect for someone who wants something that’ll stand out
- Machine washable – This makes cleaning your bee suit easy
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
More to Explore:
10. Bee Suit from Forest Beekeeping Supply
4.9 stars on Amazon
What we like about this beekeeping suit:
- Protective – Offers maximum resistance against stings and attacks
- Well-ventilated – The breathable material lets air flow in to keep you cooler
- Multiple sizes – The size range gives you several options to choose from
- Removable veil – Allows for easy drinking
Customer reviews of this beekeeping suit:
What to Look for When Buying a Bee Suit
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a hundred times.
The two things you should look for in a bee suit are:
- Sturdy layers that protect against stings
- Ventilation to keep you cool during hot summer days
And since that’s the most important thing I’m going to say, I’m going to keep emphasizing it.
You don’t want a suit that’s too hot and makes you miserable while you’re tending to your hives. But you also don’t want a suit that’s too thin and lets you get stung.
Because remember:
There’s more to beekeeping than just extracting honey. You’ll need to:
- Check on your hives to ensure things are going well
- Give your bees access to a safe bee waterer
- Plant and maintain the best flowers for bees
- Use appropriate pest control to protect your hives
- Make sugar water for bees to help new or weak hives
With those duties in mind, let’s talk specifically about how we ranked these best beekeeping suits.
1. Sting Proof Protection
Here’s the thing:
Stings happen. No bee suit is going to be 100% bee-proof. For example, sometimes a bee might slip in without you realizing it.
Every beekeeper has been stung at least once. (And usually, way more than once if we’re honest).
With that said, the more careful you are, the less likely this is to happen.
Also, bee suits with extra, sturdy layers help protect against this threat. Many on this list offer three-layer protection to safeguard you against stings. They’ll also come with sturdy zippers and flaps over the zippers to seal them in.
So what’s the bottom line?
Your experience and comfort level with bees will determine which bee suit you pick. Some experienced beekeepers choose only to wear a hat and veil. Others wear a full-body bee suit.
Some beekeepers choose to wear no protection at all, which isn’t recommended for most. You really don’t want to be stung near your eyes, nose, or ears.
Ouch.
2. Ventilation to Keep You Cool
I don’t know about you.
But sweating to death and feeling like you’re going to pass out isn’t fun.
And I get it.
Most beginner beekeepers don’t do much research when it comes to finding the best bee suits. They just pick the regular cotton ones and call it a day.
The only problem?
They end up being miserable because they’re sweating bullets inside their suit. Sure, their cotton suits may keep the bees out, but it keeps the sweat in.
That’s why every backyard beekeeping suit on this list has mesh material to give you ventilation. This allows the wind to blow in and circulate throughout your suit.
Now make no mistake.
If it’s hot where you live, you’re going to be hot no matter what bee suit you wear. But the ventilated bee suits will make it 100 times more bearable.
Many bee suits also offer a sweat-absorbent inner layer, which is nice during the hot summer months.
3. Comfortable sizing
This also ties into buying a bee suit that offers ventilation. It all boils down to comfort.
This is especially true if you have multiple hives that you’re tending to. Hive inspections take time and patience, so you want to be comfortable while you’re doing them.
Your bee suit should fit loose enough so you can move around and have flexibility.
Because don’t forget:
Your bee suit is like your work uniform. You need to be able to get things done in it. So having a suit that’s comfortably fitting lets you check on your hives without worrying about stings.
That said, always check the sizing chart before buying a bee suit. Just because you normally wear a large in t-shirts doesn’t mean you’ll wear a large in bee suits.
Take your time, take measurements if you have to, and read the reviews before buying.
Also, some retailers will offer you a 30-day return window in case you need to get another size.
4. Easy to Slip on and Off
Let’s face it.
The last thing you want to do is struggle to get out of your bee suit.
That said, some bee suits don’t come with the most functional designs. So with that in mind, we picked several bee suits that allow you to get them on easily. This includes having leg zippers that make it a million times easier.
5. Machine Washable
Some bee suits require you to wash them by hand.
But for me personally?
I prefer the beekeeping suits that I can throw in the washer on a gentle cold cycle. This saves you so much time and effort. It also allows you to keep your suit from smelling during the hotter months.
Most bee suits on our list of best bee suits are machine washable. That said, veils have to be removed and washed separately by hand.
The Best Bee Suit Brands on the Market
The Ultra Breeze
Ultra Breeze’s tagline is “Bee protected, Bee cool.”
And their suits do exactly that. They’re made with three protective layers that have mesh. This keeps the bees out while allowing the air to flow in.
A man named Bill Samples started Ultra Breeze after working in the heat and humidity in Oklahoma. He needed a beekeeping suit that would keep him cool and comfortable while he checked his hives.
Based on his friendships and conversations with other beekeepers, he refined the Ultra Breeze suit until it became one of the best on the market.
Since Bill passed away in 2010, his family has continued his legacy by taking over the company.
Ultra Breeze has a user-friendly website that allows you to purchase your bee suit directly. They also offer free shipping to the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska).
Even better, their bee suits ship within one business day of ordering.
Best Bee Suit from Ultra Breeze
This is the bee suit you buy when you want to stay cool and protected. You’ll feel comfortable wearing light clothing or shorts under this suit, knowing that you’re safe. If you live in the heat and humidity, you’ll find that this bee suit does a great job at letting the breeze in. You’ll never go back to the traditional cotton suits after trying this one. It’s worth every penny because it’ll last a long time and it’s machine washable.
Oz Armour
Oz Armour opened its beekeeping supply company in 2013. Their goal was to sell the best quality suits and materials for beekeepers.
Fast forward to the present day, and they’ve become one of the most popular beekeeping supply companies on the market.
Their bee suits are of great quality and well designed. In fact, the bee suit we recommend from them comes with two veils. This allows you to switch your veils out or pick which one you like better. This is especially nice for new beekeepers who need to try things out before knowing what they like.
They offer triple-layered mesh suits that are well-ventilated. You can tell their suits were designed by beekeepers because they’re extremely functional.
For example, their suits offer plenty of pockets for all your hive tools.
Oz Armour doesn’t only specialize in bee suits. They also stock a full range of beekeeping supplies, including honey extractors, vertical hives, horizontal hives, and foundations.
More to Explore:
Best Bee Suit from Oz Armour
This is one of the most functional bee suits on the market. Even if you work with aggressive hives, you’ll feel safe with this suit on. The mesh layers are top-notch for safety and keeping you cool. I love that this suit comes with two veils. This makes it a perfect suit for beginners who are unsure which type of veil they prefer. No need to choose – you can have both veils! The pockets and leg zippers are a nice touch. This suit is so easy to slip on and off.
CocoBee
While there isn’t much information about them online, we do know that CocoBee is a US-based company. They also regularly run sales on their website.
A few of CocoBee’s features include:
- Free shipping and delivery on all orders
- 24/7 customer support
- 14-day return window
- 100% secure payment processing
Besides the fantastic quality of their bee suits, we know that this is a small company. That said, their website is very user-friendly. They provide a customer support number as well as a contact email.
Our only wish is that they included more information about themselves on their website.
More to Explore:
