Advice on buying a wetsuit....

[MrSmitty13]

I'm getting my certification in 3 weeks down in florida and needed some advice on a wetsuit. The reason I'm asking in this forum is because I live in the Grand Rapids Michigan area and after I have my certification plan on doing a few dives this summer in the great lakes (May-August). My question is i'm looking at two wetsuits a 3mm and a 5mm. I like the 3mm one a lot better but I'm wondering if it will be sufficient enough for the warmer months in lake MI around the grand haven area or south by chicago. Plus I think the 3mm would be better for travel. What do you guys that know the lake temps better think? Thanks for the input!

 

[superstar]

A 3mm is good for Florida but will only work in Lake Michigan in August and September if the water is warm and you stay shallow. Lake Michigan is cold in May and doesn't warm up until July.

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I agree that a 3 mm won't be enough protection in Michigan...and unless you plan on staying above the thermoclines a 5mm wouldn't be enough either. I'm in VA and I don't dive in local waters in anything under a 7 mm.

 

[tedwhiteva]

Agree that you are talking 2 wet suits - a 3mm for FL and a 7mm for Lake Michigan/Great Lakes

 

[rickydazla]

I usually advise my students to get a two-piece 5mm suit. I have a Henderson Gold Core and have used the "farmer john" (legs and body with no arms) comfortably in the tropics and then both parts pretty much every weekend in Lake Huron last year from May through October.

 

[parrothead600]

In most of the lakes around this area, including the Great Lakes, you are likely to have bottom temps ranging from 39-45 degrees. Even if the surface temp is 80 degrees. A 3mm or 5mm will not be suficient. I use a 6.5mm 2pc wetsuit for everything ranging from Ice to 75 degrees. I can always unzip the jacket to let more water in if I get too warm. Anything warmer than 75 derees is rare, but in that case I use a 5mm shorty. Hope this helps

 

[Barracuda2]

If you want to be comfortable and have some versatility, here's what I recommend for Great Lakes and/or northern quarry or inland lake diving: A 7mm farmer john custom fit suit and a 3-5mm hooded pullover vest under it. The 7mm with vest is just great in spring or at depth when the water is still very cold; heck, you can even ice dive in this setup for 30-35 min. In the warmer seasons you can shed the vest and still be comfortable. The reason for "custom fit" is to eliminate as much water exchange as you move, especially on the back and under the arms and at the knee joints. It would also be advisable to have a spine pad added to the suit to further curtail water exchange in this sensitive area. The farmer john style gives that added 14mm protection to the vital core of your body. Add the 3-5mm vest, and you can say "toasty". When I added the vest, I was really surprised at the difference it made. I only use my 3mm suit in warm waters, and I'm talking 86 degrees. After a full day of diving in the tropics, I even add a 5mm shorty to it when doing night dives. 86 degrees is warm, but it will still suck body temp. out over a period of time. In my opinion, you would not be happy diving a 3mm in the Great Lakes.
My $.02

 

[MrSmitty13]

Ok I appreciate you're input... I guess i'm going to have to suck it up, stop being a cheap ass, and go with two wet suits..... I can get the 3mm now for my trip to florida and save for the 7mm when summer rolls around up here in MI. I was hoping to get by with a 5mm medium. Thanks for the great input!!!!

 

[Mitten Diver]

If you want to be comfortable and have some versatility, here's what I recommend for Great Lakes and/or northern quarry or inland lake diving: A 7mm farmer john custom fit suit and a 3-5mm hooded pullover vest under it. The 7mm with vest is just great in spring or at depth when the water is still very cold; heck, you can even ice dive in this setup for 30-35 min. In the warmer seasons you can shed the vest and still be comfortable. The reason for "custom fit" is to eliminate as much water exchange as you move, especially on the back and under the arms and at the knee joints. It would also be advisable to have a spine pad added to the suit to further curtail water exchange in this sensitive area. The farmer john style gives that added 14mm protection to the vital core of your body. Add the 3-5mm vest, and you can say "toasty". When I added the vest, I was really surprised at the difference it made. I only use my 3mm suit in warm waters, and I'm talking 86 degrees. After a full day of diving in the tropics, I even add a 5mm shorty to it when doing night dives. 86 degrees is warm, but it will still suck body temp. out over a period of time. In my opinion, you would not be happy diving a 3mm in the Great Lakes.
My $.02

And whatever you do don't forget to tuck your skirt in!

 

[Mitten Diver]

Ok I appreciate you're input... I guess i'm going to have to suck it up, stop being a cheap ass, and go with two wet suits..... I can get the 3mm now for my trip to florida and save for the 7mm when summer rolls around up here in MI. I was hoping to get by with a 5mm medium. Thanks for the great input!!!!

Provide me with sizing info and I might be able to help you out with a 7mill suit for diving locally.