Significant advances in unsaturated soils testing have been gained through the development of high suction tensiometers allowing direct measurement of suction beyond 100kPa. This has allowed the implementation of techniques that measure and control suction directly, where the soil is tested in the same conditions as in nature. Previously, much reliance had been placed on indirect measurements of suction and on control of suction using the axis translation technique. It is argued that this technique should be avoided as the use of an elevated air pressure does not replicate natural conditions. This paper presents advances resulting from the use of high suction tensiometers for laboratory testing and field measurements. It also describes an automated suction control system using the air circulation method that can impose controlled cycles of drying and wetting. ► Development of high suction tensiometers. ► Identification of saturation and calibration procedures. ► An alternative to the axis translation technique for testing unsaturated soils. ► Determination of soil water retention curves with high suction tensiometers. ► An automated suction control system using air circulation.