Cressi Fisterra for scuba diving

[imby]

Hello, I finally upgraded my PADI scuba diver certification to the OW and I would like to make diving a regular activity, instead of just going diving during my summer holidays.

So, I'm starting to get my own scuba gear and since where I live waters are quite cold (max 18° celsius during summer, and 5-15° the rest of the year), I have trouble understanding what is the best solution for me (no dry suit, as I don't have the certification yet for it).

I was especially looking at the Cressi Fisterra 7/8mm (Wetsuits-Fisterra), high density neoprene and resistant to compression. My only doubt is that I don't understand if this suit is good for scuba diving, since sometimes it appears in Spearfishing/freediving categories, but it is not explicitly associated to spearfishing/freediving.

Can someone advice on this?

Thank you!

 

[CT-Rich]

I didn’t see it on the link, but I wouldn’t worry too much, a wetsuit is pretty much the same for all diving. A lot of shops will help you out with learning about using your drysuit. Just saw the Fisterra, it looks really warm. But this is a try before you buy wetsuit. With no zippers it might be a total bitch to get in and out of. 7/8 mm is a lot neoprene to get in and out of and you might find yourself hating get the thing very quickly.

https://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/close-call-in-the-dressing-room

 

[T.C.]

Hello, I finally upgraded my PADI scuba diver certification to the OW and I would like to make diving a regular activity, instead of just going diving during my summer holidays.

So, I'm starting to get my own scuba gear and since where I live waters are quite cold (max 18° celsius during summer, and 5-15° the rest of the year), I have trouble understanding what is the best solution for me (no dry suit, as I don't have the certification yet for it).

I was especially looking at the Cressi Fisterra 7/8mm (Wetsuits-Fisterra), high density neoprene and resistant to compression. My only doubt is that I don't understand if this suit is good for scuba diving, since sometimes it appears in Spearfishing/freediving categories, but it is not explicitly associated to spearfishing/freediving.

Can someone advice on this?

Thank you!

Well, it is not that expensive, but that's alot of neoprene to fight with. I hate my 5mm suit.
It may be something to start with, but if you need 8mm of neoprene to stay warm, may I suggest you think about a drysuit?

 

[Joris Vd]

The freediving wetsuits are actually the most warm suits you can get, also for scubadiving. Their main downside is that they are very fragile and tear easily. The fisterra seems to be more of a spearfishing-style suit, but there's no reason why it shouldn't be fine for scuba.

If you plan on diving dry eventually you could also look into buying a second hand wetsuit. There are several shops who usually have school attached to them who have very cheap suits second hand with alot of types to choose from.

I am not affiliated to any store whatsoever, but on tweedehands.be I often see a shop in Leuven-wilsele posting that they have a big collection of wetsuits second hand.

 

[imby]

Hi all, thanks for your valuable feedback. I know that 8mm is quite some thickness, but indeed it is the only solution if you don't dive dry. As Joris said, in Belgium people usually put an additional shorty vest over the 7mm suits.

My point was that the Fisterra suit is not a classical open cell neoprene suit, because it has an internal plush layer that helps you to get in without the need to use soapy water. Actually, I'm not even sure it is open cell at all. From what I knew the drawback of freediving suits for scuba was (in addition to the fact they are fragile as Joris said), that they usually are made of low density neoprene, so they compress a lot at certain depths, losing most of the warmth.

However, the Fisterra suit seems done on purpose to resist high compression in cold waters, but it seems a quite rare suit as I haven't found it in any physical shop (I could order it,but then I would be obliged to buy it).

Thank you

 

[northernone]

Back home it's common to see suits of that style.

Useful and necessary. If you're cold you'll not want to dive frequently.

A drysuit training is sometimes included when you buy a suit. If you're getting it used, you can find an instructor or mentor on how to dive it. They aren't complicated to use.

Freediving wetsuits are nice, but tend to need more care because scuba diving can be rougher on equipment.

I don't know what your personal comfort level is in the cold, perhaps the 7/8mm is enough.

Enjoy,
Cameron

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would consider looking at semi-dry suits. NEOTEK 8/7/6

 

[TMHeimer]

Back home it's common to see suits of that style.

Useful and necessary. If you're cold you'll not want to dive frequently.

A drysuit training is sometimes included when you buy a suit. If you're getting it used, you can find an instructor or mentor on how to dive it. They aren't complicated to use.

Freediving wetsuits are nice, but tend to need more care because scuba diving can be rougher on equipment.

I don't know what your personal comfort level is in the cold, perhaps the 7/8mm is enough.

Enjoy,
Cameron

Agree. My OW buddy a decade ago went dry and didn't take the course. No problem for him, anyway.

 

[taras8109]

Hi. Accidentally came across your post.
If you still didn't buy your suit, i highly recommend getting Fisterra 8mm.
Ive been diving it for 4 years now , mainly for our local quarry lake . Dove it yesterday in 10C , was comfortable for 30 min at 70 feet. Its the best wet suit ive ever had . I've used , Neo tek , various 7mm one piece, farmer johns , i also Have BioDry drysuit , and Cressi neoprene Drylastic Drysuit, And Fisterra beats it by a mile ( or 2 kilometers lol) when this one goes im buying another one 100% . For some reason they don't sell it here in US , but there's ways of getting it online. I bet if they'd sell it here , no one would buy anything else. Btw its completely dry wetsuit, i rarely have a drop of water inside, crazy.