Ebay quilted or fourth element undergarment in 44 deg / tri-lam?

[dstrout]

Subject says it all. I tried out my new tri-lam suit (Mares Polar-fit) in 44 deg water with a pair of wool long-johns, doubled smartwool socks, and a long-sleeve cotton henley. I froze badly, mostly my shoulders and torso. Legs were fine.

So I'm shopping for better undergarments. I see good things about both Ron's quilted undergarments and the fourth element arctic. Since there is a $220 difference between the two, I'd appreciate any advice.

The water is 44 deg and I'm hoping to get 2 or 3 1-hr. dives. I have a 6.5mm hood and 5mm gloves.

thanks,
dave.

 

[maxguru]

I just got a set of 4th Element Arctic undergarments, and have now done about five dives in them. Water temps were 46F to 52F. I was chilled at the end of longer dives, especially during deco. I would layer something under the 4th Element Arctic for water colder than mid 50's. That said, I was MUCH warmer than i would have been wearing my Whites Mk2 undergarment. I was not wearing the booties - I prefer a couple pairs of hunting socks. I was using a 5mm hood and 5mm gloves.

Max Gilbert
DSAT Tec Deep Instructor
198186

 

[keithdiver]

Subject says it all. I tried out my new tri-lam suit (Mares Polar-fit) in 44 deg water with a pair of wool long-johns, doubled smartwool socks, and a long-sleeve cotton henley. I froze badly, mostly my shoulders and torso. Legs were fine.

So I'm shopping for better undergarments. I see good things about both Ron's quilted undergarments and the fourth element arctic. Since there is a $220 difference between the two, I'd appreciate any advice.

The water is 44 deg and I'm hoping to get 2 or 3 1-hr. dives. I have a 6.5mm hood and 5mm gloves.

thanks,
dave.

Look at the glacier 3 underwear, they are good to 34degrees, Call beverly, at indian Valley Scuba 1-215-256-6000, they are very knowledgeable store.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I've used Ron's undergarments over a warm base layer in 39* water and was warm. I forget which model but it was the colder rated multipanel flex ones. The only thing I didn't like was they were very thick and bouyant so I got a set of Arctics. The arctics are fine for me in dives under and hour with temps down into the mid forties, but I do use a base layer or two. Even then though it's doable, I still get a little cold by the end of the second dive. For longer and colder dives I use 4th Elements SubXero's and those do the job well, I can knock out several dives with water temps in the 30*'s and be fine. I have a buddy who uses DUI's newer 450 gram undies and says he likes them more than the subXeros. Also a few others I've dove with are extremely pleased with their Weezle Extreme+.