7mm One Piece vs Farmer John

[Ca_Ghost]

I like to start with a full suit. I have a BARE Arctic 7mm and 5/4 Velocity. That I choose from along with a bodyglove 3/2mm.

Then I can add a beanie, a 3/5 hooded vest worn under or a 7mm hooded step-in sleeveless shortie worn over, 2 more BARE items.

I mix and match the suits and vests every which way. The 7mm combo is esentially the same protection as a John/Jane set except that I have 2 full layers in the shoulder where the John is usually only a strap for the bottoms. I prefer to have one continuous membrane covering my body such as a full suit provides. I can don all of it without assistance.

By not having the hood as part of the full suit I have flexibility in head protection selection.

I have been diving comfortably so far in water ranging from 44F to 76F. I hope to travel to warmer waters and will be diving colder water here soon. Probably going dry next year.

Don't forget the 3 most important things in selecting your suit, fit, fit and fit. It should fit like a glove. Slight compression is a good thing (it will probably loosen with use) but it must not interfere with your breathing. If it helps you exhale that's a red flag. You should have full range of arm motion and be able to bend over as well as you do in street clothes. If your proportions do not allow for this in an off the rack suit there are plenty of fine custom options available.

Water is not an insulator it conducts heat from your body 25 times faster than air. Your body tolerates the water that enters your suit. The suits job is to minimized the exchange or flushing of that water in the suit which is heated by your body. The suit via neoprene rubber, especially the gas bubbles contained there-in provide the insulation component, this component will diminish with compression as you dive deeper. As the suit ages some of this gas and the warmth it provides will be lost. If anything the suit will feel looser due to thinning/flattening as it compresses with depth. A too loose suit can pucker into folds and deliver welts from suit squeeze.

That's probably more than you wanted to know but I was on a roll.

Pete

Actually thats a lot of great information. I'll take all the advice, information, slection, discounts, etc etc I can get right now. being new to this I really have no idea what I like or what I need but don't want to buy gear to just upgrade or exchange 6 months down the road.

Keep the info coming!!!!

 

[dl348]

I have a 2 piece Henderson Gold Core in 7 mm and love it. I also wear the 7/5 mm Gold Core hood. The Gold Core dries pretty fast, faster than my wife's hyperstretch. I like the idea of having the additional thickness in the torso area, my motion doesn't feel limited at all.

 

[papps953]

I want to be able to dive in Puget Sound and in warmer waters. I am thining of buying a Henderson 5mm Hyperstretch full body suit and a seperate hood. I plan on adding a 3mm Henderson Core Warmer (also Hyperstretch). The question is: Will these two together with a hood be enough for 50+ water?

Bill

 

[nauidiver2004]

I went with the 7mmFarmer John. As everyone else said, it's all in the fit. I found one that fits perfectly and I really like the added material over my torso. I have taken it to 125 feet in Lake Erie at temps of 44F and was comfortable. I like to use only part of the suit in shallower/warmer dives. The Farmer John has been very versitile for me but a lot of that will actually depend on your particular tolerance for cold.

Ken

 

[abman]

Been reading about wetsuits and looking at different sites and have a few questions.

First offer I'm looking fora suit for diving in Monterey and the Channel Islands so a 6.5 - 7 mm is the only way to go. All the dives I've done (which isn't very many) were with Farmer John suits.

Is there a big difference in the one piece vs the farmer john? Will one keep you warmer than the other?

I saw the Ralf tech Storm one piece and have to say I like the way it looks. I also like the Aqua Lung Iceland Comfort.

I'd love to try drysuits but I don't have the training or the money to afford a dry suit. Besides since I don't have any gear now I'd like to start with the basics and work my way up from there.

ETA: What are some of the qualities / features I should be looking for in a good quality suit?

Also If my budget is say $300 for a wetsuit am I kidding myself to think I can get a good quality suit for that?

you can get quite a nice suit for quite a bit less that 3 bills. i just picked up a harvey's one piece. 7m, titanium, back zip, flex(it's one of the new neoprene suits that will stretch up to 250%). for 2 bills. it fits like a glove, it is the easiest suit to put on that i have every worn. and it keeps me warm in the 53 degree water that we have up here off of the northern ca coast. i know that henderson also make a "hyper-strech" suit, i was looking at it when i found the harvey's. the henderson was a bit more pricey. regardless of the cost, who makes the suit , etc.. the #1 factor is fit,fit,fit,and more fit. if it doesn't fit you WILL get cold! if your only concern is cost, you are wasting your money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! good luck ,ken

 

[Dive1Dennis]

I really like my Scubapro S-Tec 7mm together with a 5mm hooded vest. The hooded vest provides extra insulation over the torso, and it eliminates that cold water seepage down your back. (brrr) I think this combination is tighter that the farmer john suits I dove before I bought my S-tec. I agree that a close fit is critical. I've dove this combination down to around 40 degrees with no problem - for me.

 

[kidspot]

you may want to check out a custom hybrid suit from http://www.scubal.com - after shipping (which is about $50) a full 7mil custom suit runs about $150

not well known, but they get good reviews around here.


Aloha, Tim

 

[Ca_Ghost]

you may want to check out a custom hybrid suit from http://www.scubal.com - after shipping (which is about $50) a full 7mil custom suit runs about $150

not well known, but they get good reviews around here.


Aloha, Tim

I like that Hybrid suit. Why is everything so cheap there?? There has to be a catch!

 

[kidspot]

there definitely is ... they make the suits themselves I have bought around 8 of them so far (for myself and friends) and have been very happy with them so far. They are a no-frills suit, but well made and nice looking. Nylon inside and outside. Zippers on ankles and wrists.

 

[scuba_mike]

Lots of great advice. In addition to a good hood, I'd also suggest getting a good pair of 5 mm gloves so your hands can stay as warm as possible. I like the ones with the kevlar palms because they're very durable.