Advice: 1 piece of Farmer John

[ns2ny]

Hello everyone,

After being a warm water diver for a few years now, I decided that I want to explore a bit more here in the NorthEast. With that, the 3 mm won't cut it and I am debating about whether to get a 7 mm full /w hood or go with a farmer john.

Now for those of you that want to tell me to "go dry", I am on a budget :-( so a dry is out of the question.

For anyone else, your experience and input would be much appreciated.

Cheers....David

 

[redacted]

2 piece suit with front zipper does not seal as well as 1 piece with back zipper & good neck seal design. End result is little difference in protection but a good bit more lead.

 

[HarleyDiver]

I have a 1 piece 3ml & a 2 piece (farmer john) 3ml.
The 2 piece is much warmer to me.

 

[DiveTub]

Why not go a SemiDry ?

 

[ns2ny]

This is certianly an option. From what I have read on the previous posts, the semi-dry seems more of a marketing pitch.

As I have been looking into this, it is clear that some companies are making semis with wetproof zippers, etc.. Others are still using regular wetsuit zippers and putting a bib over them. The bottom line seems to be there are still wetsuits, just with slightly better seals.

I guess someone said on a previous post "semi-dry is like kinda pregnant ... you either are or you aren't." But as long as I can tolerate the price, I will look at it.

Thanks...

 

[DiveTub]

Semidry and Drysuit

The Semi I use is a Mares Isotherm 6mm top and 5mm bottom, it uses drysuit seals on wrists ankles and neck, it also uses a drysuit zipper.

It lets in very little water and is lovley and warm down to about 15c whatever that is in F ?

 

[Boogie711]

Again - latex seals on neck, ankle and wrist. Very dry on the inside - It floods on occasion, but when it does, the water stays trapped inside and comes out like bathwater.

And by the way - I was diving in 37 degree and kept toasty - that's not 15 Celsius - that's 3 degrees Celsius!

 

[ns2ny]

Hey Chris and Boogie....

Since you both seem to have good impressions about your Mares, can you tell me what depths you've gone with them and # of dives per day?

The couple of people I know around here say the same as you. They did however add that when they started getting around 70-80 feet, they started getting cold AND they would not likely do more than 2 dives at that depth per day.

They are not wearing anything under the suit. So I guess a 3rd question is whether you were a core warmer, fleece, etc. for added comformt?

Thanks...david

 

[DiveTub]

ns2ny once bubbled...
Hey Chris and Boogie....

Since you both seem to have good impressions about your Mares, can you tell me what depths you've gone with them and # of dives per day?

The couple of people I know around here say the same as you. They did however add that when they started getting around 70-80 feet, they started getting cold AND they would not likely do more than 2 dives at that depth per day.

They are not wearing anything under the suit. So I guess a 3rd question is whether you were a core warmer, fleece, etc. for added comformt?

Thanks...david

Deepest depth 180Ft was still toasty warm.
I teach in mine so anywhere up to 4 dives a day, 8 dives per weekend.

I have a thin Thermoskin I wear on deeper dives, but this is more for ease of getting the one piece on and off rather than for the warmth factor.