There are three theoretical approaches of Spacesuite design

Flexible force suits are the type most in use. They combine all the bad features: heavy weight, the require for a cool suit and hard motion because the suit wants to blow up like a balloon. Their one saving refinement is that they do not limit the range of motion.

Hard-shell suits are generally made of metal or composite materials. While they resemble suits of protective covering, they are also planned to maintain a constant volume. However they tend to be complicated to move, as they rely on bearings instead of bellows over the joins, and frequently end up in odd positions that must be manipulated to regain mobility.

Mixed suits contain hard-shell parts and fabric parts. NASA's Extravehicular Mobility Unit uses a hard-shell upper body and fabric limbs.

Skintight suits, or mechanical counterpressure suits, use a weighty elastic body stocking to compress the body. The head is encompassed in a pressurized head covering, but the rest of the body is pressurized only by the elastic effect of the suit. This eliminates the invariable volume problem, and reduces the opportunity of a space suit depressurization. However, these suits are extremely difficult to put on and face problems with providing a constant pressure everywhere. Most proposals use the body's natural be anxious to keep cool. See space activity suit for more information.

One inconvenience by means of some spacesuits is the head being fixed facing forwards and being unable to turn to look sideways: astronauts call this effect "alligator head".