Drysuit recommendations for Florida?

[Marie13]

A used drysuit can be much less. I got my first one with light undergarments for $100 and had to replace a neck seal. I got my second one for $650 with two sets of undergarments. This one has rings for the wrist and neck seal and came with an extra neck seal.

If you’re a standard size, used can be a good choice. Many of us aren’t standard sizes though.

 

[Jcp2]

In my experience, it was quite hard to find a “standard” size used drysuit because there’s a lot of demand. A lot of them were actually not in the regular size range. Facebook marketplace was the best place for selection, although more disorganized than eBay. OP could take a look.

 

[Keith Blair]

If the cost isn't an issue then grab yourself a drysuit. I used to have one and would wear it to springs. I didn't need it but it was nice to have. If you're trying or need to save money then a wetsuit is what you need to look at.

 

[SubNeo]

You have no idea what drysuits cost. My made to measure DUI FLX Extreme was $4100 a year a ago. But I only dive cold water.

A good 7mm might run $500

Yeah no... No I'm not doing 4,000 for a suit lol, I know it may "use NASA tech" but this ain't a space suit

 

[SubNeo]

I am a snowbird diving a little South each winter, mostly in the Pompano Beach area. I am probably in the mid range of people for cold sensitivity. For recreational diving, I always use a 5mm wetsuit. I sometimes wear a hood. I am never cold.

I use a drysuit with medium undergarments for technical dives, both because the dives are longer and because I like the redundant buoyancy for my heavy tanks. That is common. I almost never see a drysuit for NDL dives.

I have friends who are more cold sensitive than I who use 7mm suits.

So a 7 could work... Will be tricky to know for now, especially since I mostly do shore diving right now. May (luckily) be something I worry about in the future once I'm more economically stable.

 

[Marie13]

If the cost isn't an issue then grab yourself a drysuit. I used to have one and would wear it to springs. I didn't need it but it was nice to have. If you're trying or need to save money then a wetsuit is what you need to look at.

Cost is definitely an issue if OP is calling a 7mm expensive.

 

[SubNeo]

If the cost isn't an issue then grab yourself a drysuit. I used to have one and would wear it to springs. I didn't need it but it was nice to have. If you're trying or need to save money then a wetsuit is what you need to look at.

Cost is a bit of the issue lmao, but if it was something I found myself seeking I could start budgeting for one. I just finished off getting my own equipment and that took some time to save the money up and put it aside.

Basically if I touch the water on a cold day and freeze, I wouldn't know if jumping to a 7mm or just going straight for dry would be the call. So far I've seen a mixture of "7mm can work" and "look for used drysuits in decent shape." Being the "average American male height" might have benefits lol

 

[Manatee Diver]

As @grantctobin drysuits in Florida are more common than most people think, but they are mostly on tech boats, and in cave country. Sometimes those that own them will pull them out on rec boats will pull them out when the air temp gets cold. But otherwise they are very rare on the Atlantic side of the state.

But as a new diver mostly in South Florida a Surf Fur for the surface and a thick wetsuit might be a better option.

 

[SubNeo]

Cost is definitely an issue if OP is calling a 7mm expensive.

A quick google pulled up a 7mm Henderson wetsuit package for $300. I'm not in a rough state that I couldn't set aside maybe $500 over the next month and look. I do know drysuits need training though (and that costs too), so it could just be something I weigh out and consider as I try some diving over the next few weeks. I've got a jacket on in the current FL weather though, so I'm a tad worried lol

I see some 7mm that run as low as 200, now I feel like the 180 I spent on my 3mm might have been a bust haha

 

[SubNeo]

As @grantctobin drysuits in Florida are more common than most people think, but they are mostly on tech boats, and in cave country. Sometimes those that own them will pull them out on rec boats will pull them out when the air temp gets cold. But otherwise they are very rare on the Atlantic side of the state.

But as a new diver mostly in South Florida a Surf Fur for the surface and a thick wetsuit might be a better option.

I don't go to tech depths, deepest my computer has recorded is just shy of 70ft. Since I shore dive mostly, I was thinking I might be ok in a thicker wetsuit if I couldn't survive in my 3mm with 1mm of under rash guard.

I've not had any issues yet in my current setup, but this will be the test once the weather dips.

What about the in-between, like what do you even do once you go to change out of your equipment on a freezing cold day?! Do you just throw a towel over your car seat and just stay suited up? XD