drysuit suggestions

[spacemanspiff1974]

Hey all you drysuit divers...

I've got to admit that the most insulation I've ever used was a 5 mil farmer john at 110' in a Texas lake in November.

On the other hand, I've been thinking of getting a drysuit for winter diving in the Gulf of Mexico and possibly for diving in the California current. Yet I know ziltch about drysuits except that they cost a lot.

I'm wondering if I can just buy a shell with little insulation for gulf diving and perhaps add fleece for pacific north west diving should I venture there. Is this possible or are there drysuits designed for kinda chilly water versus near freezing water?

Any suggestions for use in both?

Thanks in advance.

 

[turtle_guy]

Yes you can buy a drysuit for use in the gulf and even in florida. It all depends on how much you put under it as you thought.

 

[evil_xander]

After looking at my options and trying couple of different brands/models, I decided for a trilaminate suit, Pinnacle Evolution 2. I'll be ordering it in a couple of days. This should also allow different layering options for various temperatures...


Other option I considered was on the opposite side of the spectrum, Bare XCD2 hyper compressed 2mm neoprene drysuit. Also looked and felt good, just a different material and all that goes along (heavier, dries slower, needs a bit more weight but less layering so it adds up more or less the same, etc...).


Hope it helps...

 

[tonka97]

After looking at my options and trying couple of different brands/models, I decided for a trilaminate suit, Pinnacle Evolution 2. I'll be ordering it in a couple of days. This should also allow different layering options for various temperatures...

I just ordered a custom Pinnacle. No frills...just quality.

Remember to get the p-valve!

 

[dave4868]

Varying your insulation under a shell suit will work well, as you were suggesting.

Buy a large enough suit to have room to accomodate your heaviest combination of undergarments while still allowing good range of motion.

Dave C