tips for staying warm while diving dry?

[nimoh]

another thing bring some warm tea/coffee in a thermos and drink that before/after the dive and during your SI that should help warm you up. As for my feet I wear a pair of 3mm neoprene socks next to my skin with a pair of wool socks and never get cold feet but growing up in the prairies well its hard to make me cold enough to complain.

why neoprene?

I think that would keep any moisture next to your skin, wouldn't it? I suppose it doesn't matter though, if you are not cold then you achieved your goal

 

[Doomnova]

why neoprene?

I think that would keep any moisture next to your skin, wouldn't it? I suppose it doesn't matter though, if you are not cold then you achieved your goal

For me I'm one of those who are naturally buoyant and my feet can well get a bit annoying to 2 sets of wool to deal with in 2 sets of wool socks just made the issue worse when I was dealing with it. Yes the moisture stays next to the skin which you warm up just like a wetsuit. Also if you do get a flood the neoprene will help keep your feet warm (not that I would be staying in the water if my suit flooded with 6-8c water). Add in the wool and any heat getting through won't be going too far. At least that is how I understand it but several people I know use the same setup and don't have cold feet.

 

[rjack321]

I have had amazing results in pretty cold (40F) water using the weezle socks. Glove-wise you really need to go dry.

 

[Tigerman]

I just keep it simple.. Woll all the way..
Woolen socks, woolen shirt, woolen leggings - I just need a woolen face cause thats where the pain is (untill its gone numb)

 

[Storker]

I just keep it simple.. Woll all the way..

There's a Norwegian company that makes wool mesh long underwear. It's just fantastic. The wool makes sure it stays warm even when damp, and the mesh makes sure it doesn't get clammy and sticky even if your neck seal leaks and your underwear gets really wet. As a bonus, it doesn't stink like ripe roadkill after some months of heavy use, quite unlike synthetics. I've been using it the last five-six years from August to May for hiking, with an extra layer outside if it's really cold. Turned out it works just as well underneath a neoprene dry suit. Wintertime, I use an extra layer of thin wool outside the mesh.

Aclima - Norsk klimaundertøy

No, I'm not affiliated in any way. Just a big fan.

 

[Imla]

+1 for Aclima!!!

Works amazing under shellsuits as well! Gotta Love Mesh Merinowool!!

Edit:
Oh.. and the women's shirts have "modesty panels" on the chest area... So no need for uncomfy (wire) bras that serve no function other than requiring more lead....

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I used to rate my winter dives by how many toes I could still feel when the dive was over. Since I got a pair of the Weezle booties (socks, as Rjack calls them) I've been coming out of the water with all ten toes warm and comfortable. I wear a pair of smart wool hunting socks underneath them, and my toes don't even begin to suffer ... not even on long (70+ minute) dives.

Gloves ... go dryglove. I prefer unlined gloves with separate glove liners ... and have found that the warmest glove liners are the green woolies that you can pick up at any Army/Navy surplus store for about $5 a pair.

Hood ... that Otter Bay hood might be warm, but it's a helmet. Everyone I know who uses them loves them ... and they all struggle to get the thing on and off. Personally I prefer the comfort of a good 7 mm hood with decent stretch and a thinner lower panel to reduce jaw fatigue. The key is to replace the hood once it starts to wear. What I do is purchase a new hood for Christmas every year ... that way the neoprene's at it's warmest during the time of year I need it the most.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[j yaeger]

it's all about the hood!!!!
if your head is warm,your feet and hands will follow......

 

[lowviz]

I do a lot of winter diving. It's important to keep only moisture-wicking garmets next to your skin. ...//...

Yes.

it's all about the hood!!!!if your head is warm,your feet and hands will follow......

Yes again. Try to keep your head and core as warm as possible, you will end up dumping heat in the extremities.


edit: same thing Storker said, overlooked the reference, apologies.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

View attachment 145596it's all about the hood!!!!
if your head is warm,your feet and hands will follow......

You gotta be really jonesing for a dive to go do it in that weather in a wetsuit. Getting in ain't bad ... getting out su-u-u-u-cks ....

... Bob (Grateful Diver)