5mm full or 3+3mm?

[Hintermann]

These days I have started going on intensive dive trips involving 35 to 40 dives over 2 weeks or so. Where the water temperature is 'borderline' ie 26*C to 27*C, I have started to feel the cold midway through the trip.

Under such circumstances, I wonder which wetsuit is better - a 5mm full suit or 3 mm full + 3mm shorty combo? I find the latter easier to don.

 

[egovenatus]

I use both configurations. That said, you say the second is easier for you to don...I would probably use that in this case, simply for ease of use, I don't like things to harder then they need to be. My wife dives a 3mm full with a 3m shorty over it in similar temperatures and is fine as well. I have dove two 3mm shortys (one under the other) in the same conditions with a "beanie" type neoprene hat and been ok too.

 

[redacted]

I use both configurations. That said, you say the second is easier for you to don...I would probably use that in this case, simply for ease of use, I don't like things to harder then they need to be. My wife dives a 3mm full with a 3m shorty over it in similar temperatures and is fine as well. I have dove two 3mm shortys (one under the other) in the same conditions with a "beanie" type neoprene hat and been ok too.

The two separate pieces will also leaves you options when the temp climb to 28, 29. or 30 where the 5mm would be too much.

 

[chillyinCanada]

+1 awap

As the days of the trip start to have me feeling more cold, I begin adding pieces. I stsrt with a beanie, soon add a chillguard under my suit, I'm even known to wear a kerchief around my neck . . .and so on and so on.

If you're more comfy with your 3 and 3 combo, that's the way I think you should go. (And add a hood, etc. As and if necessary )

 

[Kharon]

I would go with layers. I use 2 polyolefin fullsuits a 3mm vest, and a 3mm neoprene fullsuit with hood and gloves and am comfortable in 12°C (about 53°F). As the water warms I can go with fewer layers. If I get a chill on later dives I can add.

Another benifit is that that each polyolefin layer adds about 2 mm of insulation with no added buoyancy. That translates to way less lead.

 

[Hintermann]

Thanks people. So I'll opt for the 3+3mm. I also have a rash vest that I can wear underneath.

 

[Kharon]

I would go with layers. I use 2 polyolefin fullsuits a 3mm vest, and a 3mm neoprene fullsuit with hood and gloves and am comfortable in 12°C (about 53°F). As the water warms I can go with fewer layers. If I get a chill on later dives I can add.

Another benifit is that that each polyolefin layer adds about 2 mm of insulation with no added buoyancy. That translates to way less lead.

One thing I forgot to say. Because of all the different possible configurations I had to take time with a 500 psi reference tank and do weight checks on all the configurations that I would be using. Then all I need to do is one weight check first dive of the season and a spreadsheet does all the adjustments if weighting has changed over the winter.