Dumb wet suit question

[Windwalker]

my .02c is this. The deeper you go, the colder the water will (most likely) get, and the thinner that 3mm suit is going to be. down at 100 feet in the Puget Sound I have seen 46 degree water and my wet suit was about as thick as paper. Survival at those temps are universally bad for extended periods of time. I don't agree with Weiva about drysuits being warmer IN the water, I find that I can stay in the water longer then most the drysuit divers for my first dive. The problem comes after the first dive, Surface interval, etc. I turn into frosty the snow man, while the drysuit divers are nice'n comfy.

If you stay warmer during your dives, you will be more inclined to do more dives with less thermal abuse to yourself, For these reasons I would recommend a thicker suit.

Of course the disadvantage of thicker suit is a more prevalent feeling about being in a bungee cord, and the fact that you need more lead to sink you.

 

[grow-n-gillz]

How's this, instead of buying any of the above, try renting from a dive shop and trying out yourself??? This way you could try all above options and buy the one for you

 

[UncleJoes]

Try a Bare 5/4 velocity wetsuit. It is fantastic. My son and I started using one this year and love it. In fact since I startede using a dry suit, this year was the first year in about 6 years that I wore a wetsuit other than a 3 mil. I was extremely comfortable in the Bare and will be using it next year. What is also nice about them is they have zippers on the legs and have short and tall sizing and some nice color choices. You can private email me if you are interested in pricing.

 

[CamG]

There has been alot of great advice and ideas offered on this thread. I like the rental idea best to experience for yourself what will work best. There are currently some really great deals on wet or dry suits available! I would encourage you to use a local dive shop for sizeing and other issues that can be a pain! But being sensitive to a tight budget I understand all to well. Liesure Pro has some stinging deals on the year end stuff. It has been my experience that a good dive shop will cost a little more but end up alot better in the end if trouble arise. Good luck! Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[Gary Knapp]

Most people eventually will have several suits to chose from both a 3 mill full suit and a 5 mill suit, take the one your going to dive with temperature wise... some areas will be clder than others research will tell you in adabce of your trip whihc tio take with you . also best to wear a full 3 mill suit as when your into areas that have
jellys or other insects in the water you will avoid being stung as much with a full suit versis a shorty. I have been on dives where guys are wearing shortys and other in full and the guys in shortys come out with bites..... better to be protected from the elements.

 

[Gombessa]

If warmth is an issue, I'd say go with a 5mm full-suit. You can definitely layer it with a 3mm shorty. I'm all in favor of drysuits as well, but that can be an order of magnitude higher in expense

 

[El Orans]

Seven mm full suit for local diving and a three mm full suit for tropical dive trips.

Still saving for that elusive drysuit...

 

[AlaskaDiver]

Scotty;
get a drysuit with some modergte undergarments for 60-70s and thicker ones for colder temps. A shorty is truly for warm water only. Although probably not to sexy looking, a hood is essential (3mm beanie for moderate temps and a 5mm for colder ones). Shivering will make you look even more dorky.

 

[mfalco]

water in upper 60s to low 70s means a 7mm fullsuit with hood and gloves! Don't try to save money when it comes to your wetsuit, it is important to stay warm for many reasons including to extend your dive time. Get a nice 7mm and save the 3mm shortie for tropical water over 80 degrees.

In late august the water here gets almost that warm. I go in the water with a 7/5mm suit with gloves and a hood. I usually end up surfacing with the gloves and hood removed, feeling hot.

 

[Gombessa]

I just wanted to add that IME, it's better to err on the side of being too warm. In the water, it's fairly easy to cool down (lower your activity level, or just pull on the neck and let some cool water into the suit) but it's NOT as easy to warm up if your suit is inadequate.