3mm or 1mm

[dandan]

Hello,

I will be doing all my diving in tropical waters.

So I am wondering shd I get a 3mm or 1 mm full wetsuit or maybe just 0.5mm.

What difference will it make?
And any advice on a good decent wetsuit?

Thanks in advance

 

[diveaway]

It depends heaviliy on how "cold' you are.

This varies by individual, I know people who get cold in 5mm wet suits even in tropical waters.

Take following into consideration:

. How easy do you feel cold (maybe you know from previous dive experiences)
. How many dives are you going to per day - the second and third dive will already feel different!
. Where is the diving? How warm is the water actually? Do you need to expect thermoclines (Yes, there are thermoclines in warm waters - try Florida)
. Weight - The thinner the suit the less weight you will need. You'll have less trouble controlling you bouyancy and you will have more fun.
. Do you want full body protection - e.g. shorty could also do the job.
. Do you need additional protection (e.g. from sharp objects in wrecks)?

I personally own a Scubapro 0.5mm wetsuit. Does an excellent job for me in tropical waters. I never got cold and have full body protection, even on wrecks. I love diving this suit with BP/Wings. Total freedom - it's like flying!

Just some food for your thoughts ...

Ray

 

[dandan]

Thanks for your advice.

I will be doing my diving in Malaysia waters. So do u think a 3mm full wetsuit will be a bit too much for the malaysia water temperature?

Thanks 10q

 

[Zept]

dandan once bubbled...
So do u think a 3mm full wetsuit will be a bit too much for the malaysia water temperature?

Where are you from? I dive in Singapore and around Malaysia. In my experience, people who are from this area or who have been living here for a while usually wear full-length 3mm suits. I am a wimp and wish I had bought a 5mm suit. People who come here on holiday from Europe or North America are used to being cold and seem to be able to get away with less.

Zept

 

[dandan]

Hi Zept,

I am from Malaysia.
So you think 3mm will be a better choice in the waters over here?

I really need help, coz I am going to buy wetsuit very soon. I don't wanna make a choice which I regret, u know.

I am looking at full wetsuit. Any brands u recommend?

10Q

 

[raviepoo]

The fit of the suit matters as much as the thinkness. I have been warmer in a .5 mm skin that fit like a glove than I was in a 3 mm suit that allowed water to surge in at the neck, ankles and wrists.

I do 99% of my tropical diving (from 78 degrees on up) in a .5mm skin.

 

[diveaway]

DanDan

What wonderful memories I once had a two week vacation on Layang Layang. Awesome diving.

Three dives a day, no problemo with a .5mm suit. But then again, I'm originally from Switzerland where diving is cold. Mhhmm ..


Hope this helps

Ray

 

[Phaedrus]

I'm about 6'2" and 205lb - low body fat, so I get cold very easily. Whenever I dive in warm water, I wear a full-body 3/2 wet suit from SeaQuest - 3mm torso, 2mm arms and legs. It has kept me warm for entire two-tank dives in Florida during the fall, although I've occasionally put on a hood for night dives or three-tank dives. It also provides good protection against scrapes and such.

Remember, like raviepoo says, the fit of the suit is very important. That's why I bought my suit, even though I live in Indiana and dive in warm water much less than I'd like. I don't like to play roulette with rental gear, unless it's something that can't really get screwed up, like tanks and weights.