Best drysuit undergarments for Lanier year round?

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BORG

Contributor
Messages
613
Reaction score
64
Location
Tucker, Georgia, just northeast of Atlanta
# of dives
100 - 199
I will be diving dry in the near future. Finally!!!
I have seen some drysuit undergarments sold on E-bay that advertise keeping the diver warm down to the mid-40s temps. The drysuit will cost enough, I'm trying to save a few bucks on the undergarments. It will be a tri-laminate suit. I guess I can say it's name, it will be a Pinnacle EVO 2.
What are some good, relatively inexpensive , undergarment solutions to keeping a drysuit diver warm in Lanier's chilly depths?


Fellow EVO2 divers, I'm coming in!!!
 
I have no clue what I am talking about, but why cant you just wear thermal underwar or something similar that you would wear on land. That is the point of a dry suit, to keep dry, Right ?
 
No related to undergarments...

I just started diving dry, and after a few newb mistakes I have to say it's the best thing I've done dive related since getting into the sport.

Get into freezing water while toasty underneath, and get out the same way.:D

My wife wanted to go on a shopping spree. I told her I'd buy her a drysuit, or give her the money for the shopping. She did her shopping spree, and the following weekend went diving at a spring that wasn't too warm. She has a 7mil and was fine in the water. Once out she froze. Didn't you know it, but I sure as h&// reminder her she had her choice as she sat shivering for 2 hours inbetween dives.:coffee:

I have money that says next year she makes the change.;)
 
Hey, Borg . . .

Head out to the Bass Pro store at Discovery Mills and go back to the undergarments section.

Poly-props, thermals, etc.

I don't really think there is any one "the best" arrangement.

One of my favorites is simply some thermal knits under some fleece.

the K
 
it is a bad mistake to try and cheap out on the undergarments. you will be miserable. As GA Under Water has said, the only time he has called a dive due to being cold was in a dry suit - wrong undergarments. also, the wrong garments or materials will make you colder and damp by keeping sweat against your body rather than wicking it away, will have cold patches, may trap air inappropriately causing buoyancy issues, may have lumps or spots that rub or cause pressure points leading to discomfort, and may also bind up preventing full motion for kicking, reaching equipment, or valves.

you could get away with some good technical running gear - I have used that when I was renting, however that gear costs as much or more than proper undergarments and has some of the problems noted above.

I have the Pinnacle Temperate, well its the Merino wool lined one anyway. I have dove it comfortably down to 42 degrees. this weekend with temps in the mid 50's I was quite warm. with water temps in the 60's it would be too warm for me. I plan on getting a 100gm and possibly another 100 or 150gm that I can wear separately or double up. you s/b able to get 100gm jumpsuit thinsulate for under $80.

it depends on what depths in Lanier you plan on going to. temps are generally mid 50's year round below 70-80' but in the summer are usually warmer shallower - 60's or more above 30'.

if you're spending the money on the suit DON'T waste it by not getting proper undergarments. Also, run down to REI and get some good Smart Wool hiking socks.

Also, trust me on this, get a p valve. look at Salvo Supply - Home for an inexpensive balanced valve. I installed a quick disconnect on mine about 6" from errr my unit and its great for pumbing yourself in and out of the suit. I was able to stay errrr connected but take my suit on and off as it was hot on the SI. great $15 investment.
 
Thanks. I've seen some fleece jumpsuits for drysuit diving rated to around the mid-40s on Ebay. Not too expensive. I may go that route. Looking forward to seeing you guys at the Ga. Dive Show.
 
I use the defaults that shipped with my Bare bi-laminate I have dove them in 40-60 degree water and been toasty. I believe they are 200 gram equivilent.
 
Pretty much agree...the only reason I have the Bare undergarments is because they were included free when I bought the XD Tech Trilam suit on one of their monthly specials they do. Other wise it would have been off to BassPro for something not priced out of this planet. Actually had to get some lighter weight because the Bare undergarments were a bit too warm for 40 Fathom Grotto.

And I would second getting a p valve. Check thedecostop.com for some really good information on using them in their exposure protection forum.
 
I've heard that the ebay undergarments are good, but tend to be larger than indicated on ebay, and tend to be larger volume (->more possible buoyancy problems) than equivalent garments from major drysuit manufacturers. I have a very thick DUI undergarment which I've had down to ~40F without problems. I think I would have gone with an ebay undergarment if it had not come with the used suit I have.

That said I generally use non-diving fleece undergarments (such as those mentioned above for other sports or hunting/fishing) in waters above 50F. Possible problems you may have are extra buoyancy and cold spots due to shifting cloths. That is if you have separate pants and shirt, they could move on you leaving your midriff cold.

I'll note I haven't been in Lanier as I moved north before going dry, but now I have colder water to deal with (40F below the thermal is as good as it gets up here.)

Aside: How is everyone down in the greater Atlanta area?
 
I just purchased some of the $80 undergarments that Phil Ellis had on sale. I'm hoping they won't be anywhere near as warm as the undergarments I already have. My Undergarments were soaked when I was diving at Vortex this weekend - too warm.
 

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