choosing a wetsuit

[qai4321]

Hi All

Im new to freediving and Ive been looking into getting a wetsuit specifically made for freediving online, but I have to admit Im a bit overwhelmed. I mean whats the practical difference between Heiwa and Yamamoto? Do I really need to spend the extra cash to get a copper coating over titanium? What are the differences between the various coatings and linings? Is smoothskin or open cell that fragile?

I guess I asking for a walk through on choosing a wetsuit...
Any suggestions/advice?

 

[Rude]

I'm in the same boat as you.
I'm just getting into freedive/spearfishing and it is difficult in finding all the gear and making a well informed decision. Most scuba shops don't carry a wide selection of freedive specific gear.

forums/underwater-hunting/321341-norcal-wetsuit-question

After sifting throught the web and looking for freedive specific sights, this one is the the most impressive in terms of gear, descriptions and variety;

freediveshop.com

Here's what I know so far:

1. get freedive specific wetsuit
2. there are some doubts about the safety of semidry wetsuits
3. if you can afford it, go for a custom made suit.
4. 100% Yamamoto Japan Neoprene is the prefered (can't tell you why personally)
5. begin looking at specific temperature ranges that your going to be in
6. if you buy on line, don't be surprised if you have to return items for better fit.

I've still not figured out why 2 pc > 1 pc. If anyone knows, please explain.

I hope this helps you. I broke my foot and won't be able to get into the water until after March so I'm taking my time in getting all my gear.

Let me know what you find out and what you decide on. Good Luck

 

[dumpsterDiver]

A 2 piece suit is much warmer because there are no zippers to leak and the attached hood is probably the warmest configuration possible. the smooth skin inside usually needs shampoo to put on, but it is very quick to don, somewhat harder to get the jacket off.

A true competiion freedive suit is expensive and very delicate. contact with the bottom or a finger nail or a hard tug will damage the suit and UV light will destroy the back of the suit which is exposed to the sun in a little over a year of hard use.

If you want a wetsuit for spearfishing, this is probably different than a freedive suit. A spearing suit will usually have nylon on the outside for strength, uV protection and there are many camo options available as well.

custom wetsuits are only necessary if you are built unusually and or you are diving in very cold water with a think suit. If you are close to normal and you are getting a 2-3-3.5 even 5 mm suit, usually the suits are very elastic and they will still be very warm and flexible enough to accomodate a bit of stretch here and there. I have one custom jacket, a 7 mm one which is super nice, but even in low 50 degree water i prefer an off the shelf 5 mm suit because the thinner suit is thinner and uses less lead.

 

[qai4321]

Well I gotta thank all the guys who helped de-mystify the whole buying a new suit process a little. I ended up getting a custom made Elios-sub 2 piece suit in 5mm Heiwa neoprene. Nylon outside and a metallic coating on the inside. Im hoping that by custom making it ill avoid the miss sizing issues.

 

[qai4321]

Itll take 4 weeks to make its way to me, ill have to let you know what i think of it once I get it.