Arctic fullhooded suit

[erdone]

I dive in the pnw, with water temp between 55-45 degrees. Would a 7mm arctic hooded Fullhooded suit be warm enough, or should I get the artic with a hood vest?

I am 6ft. 4in. weight 180lbs. with a 41in. chest, 36in. waist,and 39in. hips.
My age is 17 so I could still grow.
What size would you recommend?? Divers Wholesale said to go with XLT. That seems abit large to me, there chart indicates a LT.

 

[Snowbear]

As I'm sure others will chime in - though many people in the PNW dive in heavy wetsuits, they frequently get tired of being chilled between dives and are warmer and happier when they switch to drysuits.

 

[ScubaSarus]

I just dove Beavertail Lighthouse in RI last week. I have a 7mm Bare Full suit and used a 7mm homemade hooded vest. Water temp was 37 F, max depth was 37 ft. Dive time was 43 mins. 4 drysuit divers headed in before I did mainly due to cold hands. I didnt buy the hooded full suit since I'm at the cusp of a small-medium and the small hood would probably be too tight. I sewed extra seals into the arms and legs and used the Bare ice boots and Action Mitts. It was a wonderful dive. I would get a good fitting vest from the LDS

 

[Bob3]

Being 17, you still have a few years you can get away diving wet. Old farts can't handle the cold very well.
If you have a 1-piece hooded suit you should be OK for a while yet, though watch what ya pay for it. I wouldn't shell out more than what a decent used neoprene suit would go for. (about $200 +/-)

 

[firedogut]

I dive a Bare 5/4 and a Cressi 4mm hooded shorty in water temps as cold as 52 and have stayed very very warm. I paided about 200 for both suits.

I would buy the bare 7mm with out the hood and add the 4mm shorty if i was diving in waters as low as 45-48.
Remember everyone is different......if you can rent the suit 1st and make sure it warm enough it could save you a lot of money.

PM me and i'll send you the sites i bought by stuff from.