3mm full suit which packs for travel well

[rongoodman]

I carry a Henderson Aqualock 3mm or 5mm in my carry-on(Patagonia 60L Black Hole duffel) along with Deep 6 fins, mask, computers, and swim suit/shorts/T-shirt if I think there's any chance of getting separated from my checked bag. The 3mm is obviously less bulky.

 

[Altamira]

I hadn't considered Sharkskin or Lavacore, while I think I want my own 3mm full suit I'll have to think about it. @Altamira and @RIHappyDiver I have an LDS that carries Bare near where I work in RI, I'll have to stop by. Is the Reactive really that much better?

@GreggS The Henderson suits in particular looked a bit bulky to me - glad to hear yours travels well. The fleece lining looks really nice for doffing and donning.

I do not have a Bare Reactive yet, but plan to order one soon based on discussions I have had with divers that actually use them. The resounding chorus has been "Yes they are warmer, and that much better than than my Elasteks." How much better are they than the Velocity Ultra, which just has the Omnired in the chest and back probably depends on the water temp. I have not had anybody tell me the 3mm Reactive is as warm as a 5mm in 70 degree water, but for tropical diving, I think either the Reactive or Velocity Ultra would work fine.

 

[NAUI Wowie]

I do not have a Bare Reactive yet, but plan to order one soon based on discussions I have had with divers that actually use them. The resounding chorus has been "Yes they are warmer, and that much better than than my Elasteks." How much better are they than the Velocity Ultra, which just has the Omnired in the chest and back probably depends on the water temp. I have not had anybody tell me the 3mm Reactive is as warm as a 5mm in 70 degree water, but for tropical diving, I think either the Reactive or Velocity Ultra would work fine.

I have bare reactives and henderson thermax etc.

disclaimer in advance I am not saying you believe what im typing below. Im just throwing it out there for newer divers that dont know.....

I will say that any wetsuit that spouts off about linings that make the suit warmer are all gimmick. There is ZERO proof of wetsuit brands being warmer with their heat reflective linings. some brands call them fire fleece, some say celient, some say titanium reflects heat....

it is all advertising lies to get our business.

you want a 3 mil to keep you warm like a 5 mil? it aint built yet.

not ranting on you but we all get this snake oil salesman pitch and its all fake.


as for the O.P. question the most flexible wetsuit is the easiest to travel with. Thatll be the henderson with 250% stretch. I have that suit also. it fits in my hydros carry on the plane backpack along with the bcd two dive computers two masks, two full regulator sets, all in a small backpack.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

For ease of packing, it would be hard to beat a Lavacore type. My wife's lavacore takes up a forth the space my 3 mm does..maybe less. It also keeps her warm. She hates being chilled during a dive. I guess there are several brands out there now, my wife has a lavacore and loves it. Since my gear is bulkier and larger than hers, and I do the gear packing, I love it too!

Good luck,
Jay

 

[Altamira]

@NAUI Wowie. I am not contending that the Bare Reactive is warmer because of the Omnired or any other trademarked lining. I have never used the suit, so I do not know one way or the other, and was just passing on what I have been told by divers that own and use the Reactive. Personally, I feel that a fleece type wetsuit lining probably is a bit warmer because when I wear my Henderson 17oz Polyolefin Dive Skin under my Bare Elastek, I do feel warmer, and the polyolefin skin certainly keeps me warmer when snorkeling compared to being in the water without it. However, I also think the taped seams on the Reactive will help reduce the inflow of water through the stitched seams as are on my Elasteks. So if the Bare's Reactive Omnired lining works as well as my dive skin under my current Elastic, I would be happy not having to carry the skin as well as the wetsuit. As I said in my first post, I have no financial interest in pushing Bare wetsuits, but they do fit me, have traveled well, and are very durable. That is all I can really ask of a wetsuit.

 

[ScubaTexas]

I just picked up and dived a Scubapro Sport Steamer 2.5 mm full wetsuit and was really impressed with it. It fit great and was very comfortable. The construction uses glued and blind stitched seams, which keeps water from flowing through the seams - so it held it's warmth very well. I was surprised how well it packed. Very compact for a 2.5 mm. My wife's 3mm Henderson took up much more volume. Hard to beat it for the price. Picked it up on Amazon - of all places - 2 day shipping and priced the same as other online retailers such as LeisurePro.

 

[AdivingBel]

You're certainly welcome to discuss such things, but IMHO it seems like an internet diving nitpick. If the water is warm enough for a 3mm or less, your exposure protection regardless of brand is going to pack pretty small/light compared to the rest of your gear. The real variability is figuring out what you need for the conditions as that is very personal. Once you decide, just pack/take that as opposed to getting caught up in the advertising stuff. Life's too short and there's too much diving to do. All IMHO, YMMV.

 

[MykaDives]

I know I am late to the party, but I have several Bare wetsuits, so I can provide some personal comparison. Keep in mind I am a cold person. I am ALWAYS the person with the most thermal protection. I also don't move much when I dive, so I don't keep warm from movement.

These are the ones I have (keep in mind these are the female model names):

3 mm Nixie Ultra (brand new, will use next week, "Ultra" has some Omnired lining, but kind of a joke)
5 mm Nixie (my most used suit, it has lived, and it's pretty much dead now)
5 mm Velocity
7 mm Evoke (Omnired thermo-reactive lining)
5 mm hooded vest (Omnired thermo-reactive lining)

COMFORT: The Nixie suits are my favorite because they are SUPER stretchy and VERY comfortable. The Evoke is a very thick suit, but it is also reasonably stretchy, fits me extremely well, and is also very comfortable. The Velocity is not very stretchy in comparison, and is not as comfortable. I hate the 5 mm vest because it's very claustrophobic, but warm!

WARMTH: The 7 mm Evoke (reactive) with the Waterproof 10 mm hood and the new version Aqualung Ergo boot (awesome boot btw) make a cold water dream team! I wear this combo when I'm diving water around 70F (20C). Colder than that and I will be in a drysuit.

The 5 mm Velocity is a bit warmer than the 5 mm Nixie, but I rarely use the Velocity because I don't like it. I'll wear these suits in water around 80F (27F). At 75F (24C) I'll add the 5 mm hooded vest. I also wear 5 mm in swimming pools with students.

I haven't used the 3 mm Nixie yet, but I bought it for an upcoming Indo trip because the 5 mm Nixie is worn out (too much time in the pool), I dislike the 5 mm Velocity, and I think the 7 mm Evoke will be too warm. I'm hoping I can layer the 3 mm and be warm enough because it would be really nice to only wear 3 mm.

WEAR: I think wear strength is probably directly related to ow stretchy the suit is. So the Velocity is the toughest suit. The Evoke is the anomaly in that it is quite stretchy, but much tougher than the Nixie. Be careful with the Evoke wrist and ankle seals though, they are delicate! The Nixies are not tough suits, but they are affordable and extremely comfortable. That makes up for it I think.

PACKING: Directly related to thickness. I can't compare same thickness, other brand though.

OVERALL: I would trade in every one of my wetsuits for Evoke suits. I LOVE the Evoke.

 

[ReadyDiverOne]

Hi, thanks to @tdallen for posting this. I have essentially the same question and am wondering what people think of the Fourth Element Xenos? I'd be curious about thoughts on the Proteus too. Thanks.

 

[rongoodman]

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