Additional layer for warmth?

[cburdick1]

Hi Everyone,

My wife gets cold while diving, and I'm looking for a vest that she can add to her 5mm fullsuit when it isn't warm enough.

Suggestions that we have received are:

-Lavacore insulating layer under the fullsuit
-Henderson pro 3mm vest over the fullsuit.

I figure the Lavacore would be less bulky, but only if the fullsuit fit allows for the additional layer underneath. I worry that the 3mm vest over a 5mm sit would be too bulky.

Can anyone offer insight into the advantages and disadvantages of both?

Thanks.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

I have a 3mm vest that I occasionally wear over top other suits for extra warmth. However, it doesn't help with the head, arms and legs that also get cold. My wife wears a 3mm shorty over a 2mm full suit for colder dives. It works well for her. It seems a lot easier to wear the shorty over the full suit, than vice versa.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Hi! Please go to this thread to read my feedback on Frogskins. I. LOVE. THEM. Superior to Lavacore and Sharkskin. Plus the fleece dries in under 10 minutes!

Probe Frogskins--Best Dive Skins Yet?

 

[jeanco]

heated vested.

 

[happy-diver]

Take your wife and her suit to the shop

 

[d^2b]

Hi Everyone,


Suggestions that we have received are:

-Lavacore insulating layer under the fullsuit
-Henderson pro 3mm vest over the fullsuit.

Thanks.

I have found a 3mm hooded vest works OK under a 3mm full suit. Not sure how much less stretchy the 5mm suit is, but it seems worth a try. If you can handle the hood, it makes a huge difference.

 

[Umuntu]

The most important is too make sure that the head and the chest core are warm. If these are warm, then you feel comfortable.

Start with a decent hood with an excellent fit. A good hooded vest is even better.

 

[Angelo Farina]

In summer I dive a simple 3mm single-piece wet suit, which is just fine here in the Mediterranean sea.
In spring or autumn I add:
- a 2mm torso-only
- a 3mm hood
- 3mm neoprene socks
- 2mm neoprene-leather gloves
Of them I find the most beneficial the hood, as the head dissipates a lot of heat, and the hood avoids water to enter so easily on the neck.
When young and diving also during the cold winter months, I did wear a two-pieces 6.5mm full suit, which did double on the tors (the pants were the type also including full torso, and the jacket did include hood). I also had a 3mm vest including short sleeves and short legs, to be worn under the main 6.5mm suit.
If I had to dive again in winter, i could possibly consider a dry suit, or at least a semi-dry.