3mm or 5mm - which is more versatile fullsuit?

[Scuba-Stu]

It's really cool to see the range of responses here. Personally, I think a 3mm is worthless, save your money and just by skins. But then again I'm the guy who dives in regular swim trunks when ever I get back down to Florida or Louisiana. I think the 5mm is a much better buy for an all around suit. Though, diving in the northwest has gotten probably gotten me all off kilter. To me 70' to mid 80's is bath water.

 

[Scubagolf]

This is really diver-specific.

Personally, I carry my 3mm full to most warm water locations on the planet with temps from 76 deg (plus a hooded vest) recently in Hawaii up to 84 deg in French Polynesia.

If I were diving consistently in 75 - 78 deg water I would probably get a 5 mm. In Southern California I use a 7 mm plus hood and gloves. Below 60 deg I'm on the golf course.

 

[Ms.DiverUSA]

I believe that the best thing to do is layer your suits. You should always have full body protection at all time. I wear a skin in anything that is about 80 degrees and up. If I am doing multiple dives I would bring a short sleeve shorty for later in the day, just in case. For anything between 70-80 degrees I wear my Wetwear 3 mm jumpsuit with the long zippers in the arms and legs. If I get a little warm I just unzip the arm and leg zippers a little, and I am fine. I would rather be on the warmer side than be cold. If I am doing several days of multiple dives I would being my 3 mm short sleeve shorty and wear it over my full suit if I find I am getting cold. I also wear that combination in colder temperatures (I can wear it in water temperatures as cold as 58 degrees). I should note that my suit is made with Rubatex neoprene which dose not compress, so I am truly wearing a 3mm suit at depths up to 80 plus feet. A hood also plays a big role in warmth. I wear a 3mm short neck hood when diving 70-80 degrees and a 5mm short neck hood in anything colder.

I hope this is helpful

 

[Nismo]

I have a 4/3 suit that is really nice. Most surf shops will have them.

 

[twinkles]

I have a Pinnacle Marino lined 3 mil. They advertise it is as warm as a normal 5 mil and I think it is true. It is great. For those times when I want a little more warmth, I have their 3 mil core warmer. It goes under my full suit and it is equally great.

I liked that combo so much, I bought the Pinnacle Marino 5 mil and next time I am going somewhere a little cool--say Panama City in January, I am getting the Pinnacle Marino 7 mil.

The suits are a tad more expensive but well worth the extra.

I am generally not one to rave unless I am really overwhelmed. I have been overwhelmed with those Pinnacle suits.

 

[Brishar]

I also have a 3mm Pinnacle merino full suit (seal) and a 3mm merino vest. This covers most of my needs here in Fl. If you add gloves and a hood or beanie, I'm warm from 68f and up. I too have been most impressed with Pinnacle and would suggest you consider them for your next wetsuit purchase. I also have wetsuits from O'neal, Henderson, and Tusa in various thicknesses. The seal is my hands down favorite.

Since you already own a 7mm, a quality 3mm, with a vest and hood, would give you the most options for your dollar. Stay warm and be safe.

 

[Damselfish]

I'd be happy in a skin for a week of 4 dives a day at 84F, if you were cold after 4 days I'd say you run a bit on the cold side for a CA diver. Still, a 5mm seems like a bit much and not different enough from the 7mm, you already have.

A new 3mm fullsuit is a whole different story than an old 3mm shorty that was "like a 1mm." I would go for a 3mm, and consider layering a shorty or vest over it if you need more, or maybe a hood or beanie. Layers are versatile.

 

[Paco II]

I dive a 7mm in 49F here in Monterey, but got cold in Fiji. What can you do? Either way, I am definitely going with the 3mm. And thanks to the suggestions of people here, as well as my own experience, I am going to splurge on the Pinnacle Elastiprene Merino 3mm.

I'd be happy in a skin for a week of 4 dives a day at 84F, if you were cold after 4 days I'd say you run a bit on the cold side for a CA diver. Still, a 5mm seems like a bit much and not different enough from the 7mm, you already have.

A new 3mm fullsuit is a whole different story than an old 3mm shorty that was "like a 1mm." I would go for a 3mm, and consider layering a shorty or vest over it if you need more, or maybe a hood or beanie. Layers are versatile.

 

[donooo]

I think that you will be happy with the Seal, good choice. I was looking at it and ended up with an Xcel 5-4-3. I am always cold, to an extreme, anything under 78 is dry suit time. 80 dg's and a 3 mil is not a problem, but multiple dives and a few that are an hour long, and I need more.

adios don O

 

[Stu S.]

After looking over the logbook info, I found I was getting more bottom time using a 3mm suit, even when the temperatures were in the 80's. You may not feel cold, but there is something going on.

Saying there is a large percentage of heat going out through your head, the hood or beanie is equally important.