Lavacore vs

[guyharrisonphoto]

With lavacore the issue was "poor" fit. This is all laid out in my review. The breathable/lycra combo material is just not as stretchy as the ultra-thin neoprene and so some areas are tight and some are not, so it allows water flushing through. Underneath a wetsuit, it is OK and of course warmer than nothing because you do have a second layer. The OP seemed to want lightweight primary exposure protection for travel. If so, frogskins are a better option than lavacore based on my experience with both.

 

[travelingfenley]

I've only worn lava core and shark skin. I thought I liked lava core better, until I needed the layers through multiple dive days. The interior of my shark skin was nearly completely dry overnight versus my husband's lava core, which was still SOAKED and the air temperature was in the 30s F. Not pleasant for him. I like the fit of my shark skin better too. It's more snug, at least for my body type.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

If you like the Sharkskin because the lining dries overnight, you will go bonkers for the frogskin. Peel it off and shake it and it the lining is completely dry in one minute. Peel it off and just hang it up and the lining is dry in about 5 minutes. You can, literally, see the water run out of the lining. Really nice for multi-dive days because each time you put on a dry warm suit. I am going to order one of their full wetsuits. Get out of the water, peel the suit down to the waist, put on a boat coat, and when the next dive comes you roll up a suit that is dry on the inside.

 

[travelingfenley]

If you like the Sharkskin because the lining dries overnight, you will go bonkers for the frogskin. Peel it off and shake it and it the lining is completely dry in one minute. Peel it off and just hang it up and the lining is dry in about 5 minutes. You can, literally, see the water run out of the lining. Really nice for multi-dive days because each time you put on a dry warm suit. I am going to order one of their full wetsuits. Get out of the water, peel the suit down to the waist, put on a boat coat, and when the next dive comes you roll up a suit that is dry on the inside.

No kidding! I'm definitely going to look into it! My number one reason for aborting or turning down a dive is because of the cold. Being dry to start the dive sometimes makes all the difference. Thanks for mentioning it

 

[chillyinCanada]

Wow frogskin. .. must find!! Who'd a thunk I'd be missing my chill guard here in north Sulawesi?

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

search Probe Wetsuits on the web, that will get you to their site. They are in Australia and seem to be well known there, but no retail outside of there--order by web. I found that they responded very fast to e-mail questions and were very helpful. Mine shipped to the U.S. in about 4 days! They have a generous return policy as well.

Also, the outside of the skin stays wet, like any neoprene suit, but the quick-dry lining makes a huge difference when you put it back on. The outside dries in about 12 hours or so if you leave it outside, still pretty fast.

 

[islanddream]

I own a Fourth Element farmer jane and zip top which I purchased several years ago. It's so lightweight and packs up small for traveling. I tried on a Lavacore wetsuit and it didn't fit my body shape as well as the Fourth Element. Just this last year I bought a SharkSkin wetsuit and love it. It's very much like my Fourth Element but fits a bit looser. It's easy to pack for travel. I have a custom-made 3 mm neoprene wetsuit which I don't wear much any longer because I love the Fourth Element and the Shark Skin so much more. Plus, there's no need to add additional weight like you have to with neoprene! However, I'm definitely going to take a look at the Frogskin. Ya just can't have too many wetsuits!

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

We dive in the same neck of the woods (I dive Jupiter all the time)! Look at my detailed review, might be useful. I think the frogskins are equal to a 3 mil, but much lighter and easier to pack.

 

[islanddream]

We dive in the same neck of the woods (I dive Jupiter all the time)! Look at my detailed review, might be useful. I think the frogskins are equal to a 3 mil, but much lighter and easier to pack.

Do you put the frogskin under your wetsuit?

 

[Ross Meinicke]

Thanks all for your help and information, thinking I will try the frog skin