5mm or 3mm exposure suit

[Puffer Fish]

I get cold after multiple dives on vacation. I am purchasing a new 3mm full wetsuit, but plan on purchasing a skin to wear underneath. Does anyone know if you have to buy a larger wetsuit to accomodate the skin? Should the hood be a part of the skin or a seperate 3mm hood? Thanks.

Usually no.. but if the suit is really tight.

I suggest a seperate hood... much warmer.

Most skins are not that much warmer, but there are some medium weight ones (the pinnacle one comes to mind) that are just a bit thicker and fairly warm. Only down side is it holds a lot of water between you and the suit, so you weigh more when getting out of the water.

 

[keyshunter]

I get cold after multiple dives on vacation. I am purchasing a new 3mm full wetsuit, but plan on purchasing a skin to wear underneath. Does anyone know if you have to buy a larger wetsuit to accomodate the skin? Should the hood be a part of the skin or a seperate 3mm hood? Thanks.

The answer to your first question is no.
But, a thin lycra skin will do nothing to increase warmth. They are, however, sometimes used to make it easier to slide into or out of a wetsuit. A thicker woven skin will help a little to increase warmth. I recommend that you add a sleveless hooded vest (Pinnacle makes an excellent one) to your dive wardrobe. Worn under a full suit, a vest will greatly increase your warmth and, of course, can be left off if the water is warmer than you anticipated. Also, keep in mind that the super stretch suits, while much easier to don/doff, are not as warm as typical less stretchy wetsuits of the same nominal thickness.

 

[Hank49]

I get cold after multiple dives on vacation. I am purchasing a new 3mm full wetsuit, but plan on purchasing a skin to wear underneath. Does anyone know if you have to buy a larger wetsuit to accomodate the skin? Should the hood be a part of the skin or a seperate 3mm hood? Thanks.

I use a 3 or 3.5 mm suit and when it's cold here I wear a 2mm hooded vest under either one. It fits just the same.