Dry Suit advice, part B: undergarment advice

[Storker]

Would those be adequate for ~8*c-15*c? (I dive 16*c in my 5/7mm wetsuit). This is the first time I've owned a dry suit as I've previously been living in a tropical environment for my diving.

People are different, so is their tolerance to cold. But I'd say you'll probably keep decently warm. I have a 200 gsm Scubapro undersuit, and I use it with a thin base layer from 10-12C down to ~6. If the water gets colder, I layer with a slightly thicker wool t-shirt or two and that keeps me nice and warm down to 3-4C. A not too thick polarfleece shirt is also an option, just make sure it's got a crew neck

And my second question, if it's not adequate, I have a Lavacore long sleeve shirt. Would I wear the Lavacore under or on top of the Bare undergarment I linked?

I probably wouldn't use the Lavacore. Granted, I have no personal experience with those products, but AFAIK they're designed for use under a wetsuit, not as a dry layer. Insulating layers developed for topside use are probably better suited (heh!) for keeping you warm while you're (reasonably) dry.

 

[oldflounder]

People are different, so is their tolerance to cold. But I'd say you'll probably keep decently warm. I have a 200 gsm Scubapro undersuit, and I use it with a thin base layer from 10-12C down to ~6. If the water gets colder, I layer with a slightly thicker wool t-shirt or two and that keeps me nice and warm down to 3-4C. A not too thick polarfleece shirt is also an option, just make sure it's got a crew neck


I probably wouldn't use the Lavacore. Granted, I have no personal experience with those products, but AFAIK they're designed for use under a wetsuit, not as a dry layer. Insulating layers developed for topside use are probably better suited (heh!) for keeping you warm while you're (reasonably) dry.

I have a Viking and have tried different undergarments. The Viking on me is like a big sack with a lot of space to fill to keep me warm. The problem with layering is the more I layer, the less flexibility I have. Try bending over to put your fins on with a bunch of layers on. I can't, anyway. Recently I have been using Lavacore pants, Lavacore vest and Lavacore full shirt with ski pants on top and a loose sweatshirt. The arms get chilly but the rest of the body is bearable for the type of diving I do.

I dive alone a lot and flexibility donning and doffing (as well as flexibility gearing up) is important with the drysuit. I have had a couple floods and the Lavacore will keep me warm a few (life-saving) minutes longer than the other types of drysuit garments when it gets soaking wet. Also my drysuit is one of those somewhat-dry suits. I sweat a lot in it and condensation is an issue I think. I have learned ways to stop most of the leaks I have had in the past. I would be a lot warmer with thicker garments but the flexibility is a big factor for me and I will recommend the Lavacore for this reason. It's not a cheap alternative. You will pay the same as you would for the good, thick undergarments.

 

[Derelict]

The only reason I mention the Lavacore long sleeve shirt is because I already had it for cooler water diving in my wetsuit, and I was going to use it with board shorts for tropical summer diving (but alas, I relocated away from the tropics before summer).