1mm skin under a wetsuit

[Spratman]

I know that I've seen people doing this, however, I'm about to do my first Jersey wreck dive. I have a wetsuit that I dive in all year round and I'm looking to put a skin on prior to donning my wetsuit. I was diving 48 degree water this past weekend, however, it wasn't for 45 minutes like an ocean dive will be.

Any thoughts on this and does it change your weighting? I'm buying a drysuit next year and don't really want to spend a couple of hundred bucks now.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Hi, Jack. The skin will not affect your buoyancy or weighting. I don't even know that it contributes all that much to warmth, to be honest. I like using a skin for my 5mm wetsuit because it makes it easier to don the wetsuit.

 

[abitton]

My experience sez that FW nailed it.

 

[mike_s]

how about a 1mm neopreme wetsuit under a 3mm or 5mm?

(specifically the Tilos 1mm, which boasts that it's as warm as most 2/3mm suits)

 

[JodiBB]

I wear a .5mm isotherm underneath my 7mm wetsuit for the 48 degree winter CA waters....it really keeps me warm and the weighting difference is neglible. I use the same weighting with or without the isotherm....but the difference to my body heat is noticable for me as to what I can tolerate.

 

[spectrum]

Barrier layers are always good.

Since you say 1mm I reading that this is a thin neoprene suit and it will be helpful. Also being noprene it will modify your byouyancy but only by 2 pounds or so. To determine in advance put it in a mesh bag and then see what you need to use for weight to put it under.

Most lycra and other fabric skins mill do little for warmth of buoyancy. Polypro suits like an Aeroskin are said to offer some warmth with no byuoyancy penalty, I can't say from experience.

Pete

 

[Spratman]

Thanks to all for your input. I think I'll just dive the way I am now. I don't want to mess with my bouyancy, especially with a dive that will require more weight (Jersey wreck dive) on the 4th.