Air easy path in the Drysuit vs Undersuit

[Remy B.]

I ask here in not in the Undersuit threads, as the Tec divers spend more time exposed under cold conditions so I'm asking the right divers.

I'm a strong believer in the right tool for the job, if it can be easier with the proper gear, there is no need to fight to get it done, giving that you have the option to choose the right gear, if not it is battling until you get in harmony with it.

Having said that, I believe I don't have the right undersuit for cold water, as I think the problem rely in the floppyness -puffyness of the undersuit, I feel the air is not traveling easy enough inside the Drysuit to make it out, when I dive with thermal underwear only ( waters around 10*C and higher ) I have better response and notice the air leaving easier, which makes sense as there is less restriction.

Instead of fighting it I prefer just to buy a thinner undersuit but that is effective for 3 to 10*C waters, or I was thinking in thermal underwear with a 2mm fullbody wetsuit as undersuit.

What are your recommendations on thin and effective undersuit or have you use the combination of thermal underwear with 2mm wetsuit with success ?

 

[Patoux01]

Don't use a wetsuit under a drysuit...
- not comfortable (I like my pyjamas waaay more than a suit)
- no humidity evacuation: you're gonna sweat like a pig, smell like a turd, and still be cold (the exact reason we don't recommend sharkskins and the like)
- If like me you have no trouble peeing in a wetsuit, you'd be in big trouble using that combo


What undersuit are you using? Sounds like some weezle?

 

[tbone1004]

fluffy undersuits are really not ideal because they require an insane amount of air to be present otherwise they compress. Thermal fleece, or even better, real fleece *read wool* requires less air for similar thermal protection and will also dump easier

 

[stuartv]

I like to wear a thin Merino wool base layer and then Fourth Element Arctic shirt/leggings/socks over that. One of the reasons I like the FE stuff so much is that it is more "dense" than "fluffy". I.e. very warm, while adding a minimal amount of extra gas inside the suit, so less added lead to compensate, compared to a fluffy undergarment that requires more loft to keep you warm.

 

[Remy B.]

Don't use a wetsuit under a drysuit...
- not comfortable (I like my pyjamas waaay more than a suit)
- no humidity evacuation: you're gonna sweat like a pig, smell like a turd, and still be cold (the exact reason we don't recommend sharkskins and the like)
- If like me you have no trouble peeing in a wetsuit, you'd be in big trouble using that combo


What undersuit are you using? Sounds like some weezle?

Sea Lion Series - Undersuits :: No GRAVITY - diving clothing and accessories of the highest quality.

that is what I have, It is the Plus series with Polartec Pro lining, it keeps me warm, but it sucks for air drysuit evacuation.

 

[zider]

I've been wearing the Whites Thermal Fusion undergarment for years and have been very happy. This includes dives down into the mid 30s °F. These unders are fairly streamlined and are in no way bulky, which allows for easy air flow. The material and design also allows for great flexibility. I'd highly recommend giving this one a look.

Thermal Fusion Undergarment - Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Recreational and Professional Use

 

[Remy B.]

I've been wearing the Whites Thermal Fusion undergarment for years and have been very happy. This includes dives down into the mid 30s °F. These unders are fairly streamlined and are in no way bulky, which allows for easy air flow. The material and design also allows for great flexibility. I'd highly recommend giving this one a look.

Thermal Fusion Undergarment - Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Recreational and Professional Use

It seems of the same thickness that the one I have.

 

[Remy B.]

Products - Waterproof

Arctic Extreme Performance Undersuit for Diving | Fourth Element the two pieces set is what gets my attention.

if you have other suggestion and/or have one of these two above, please share your opinion on them

 

[stuartv]

Arctic Extreme Performance Undersuit for Diving | Fourth Element the two pieces set is what gets my attention.

if you have other suggestion and/or have one of these two above, please share your opinion on them

I have the 2-pc Arctic non-Extreme version of that FE gear. I love it. I tried on the Arctic Extreme stuff at the same time when I bought the Arctic gear. I decided the Arctic Extreme was just too thick/heavy/warm for me. And it was a fair bit more expensive, too. I use the Arctic gear in the local quarry, which ranges from 37F - 41F below the thermocline, depending on the time of year and exactly how deep you go. The Arctic gear, with a thin Merino wool base layer, doesn't keep me WARM, but it keeps me warm enough during a 45 - 50 minute dive that I don't mind doing a second dive.

I think that, before I bought thicker undies for more warmth, I would spring for an electric vest to wear underneath the gear I have.

Also, I got a set of the Fourth Element Xerotherm wrist warmers.

4th Element Xerotherm Wrist Warmer | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL - Dive Right in Scuba

I really like them as well. I put them on before I don my dry suit top, so they end up trapped under the wrist seal. That makes it where they keep my wrists warm and they allow my suit to equalize with my dry gloves. I put on thin dry glove liners (Pinnacle Merino) over the wrist warmers and then my dry gloves over that. The wrist warmers basically cover my whole hand except for my fingers. The result is that my hand is a lot warmer than with the thin liners alone, but without extra bulk that would interfere with my dexterity.

 

[Remy B.]

Thanks Stuart