EZ ON wetsuits

[Dave Kay]

I've been contemplating going to colder dives like Soccoro. I am really confused as to what to buy. Too many choices. My dive bag almost maxes out at 50 lbs now. I have shoulder issues that worry me about all the pulling I see divers do on the boats. One provider I saw at scuba shows was the EZ-ON wet suits that have big zippers both at the forearms and lower legs. Does anyone have experience with them. Positive/negative.

Also can you recommend a zero bouyance suite that is light or easy to put on. I'll want a 5 mil . Thanks.

 

[JackD342]

You may be asking for the impossible. I have never come across any 5mm wetsuit that is neutral buoyancy. The vast majority of exposure suits are closed cell foam neoprene, which is of course buoyant due to the air bubbles.

There are a few non-neoprene products such as Lavacore that are neutrally buoyant, but I have not seen any that claim to be as warm as a 5mm neoprene wetsuit. Perhaps someone else has seen something that warm. Lavacore provides the same warmth as a wetsuit in the 2-3mm range.

A quick solution to helping put on a wetsuit is to wear a lycra skin underneath. Almost no weight in your luggage, and it helps the suit glide on over the slick material. Adds just a little bit of warmth too, as it helps trap that layer of water next to your skin.

On warm water trips I wear a full Lavacore suit, and bring a 3mm shorty with in case I need to layer up a bit. But first I would add my Lavacore hood and keep the shorty dry for as long as possible. I rarely use it.

 

[rongoodman]

The other alternative would be a dry suit with lighter undergarments, but that won't be neutrally buoyant either. It's the trapped air which ultimately provides the insulation, whether in the bubbles in the neoprene or in the dry undergarments.

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

Any neoprene is going to be buoyant.
For easy don and doff get anything that indicates easy stretch/flex.
My 2 easiest to don and best fitting most comfortable are Mares 8/6/5 "flexa"
And Aqualung 3mm "aquaflex"
Generally you give up some warmth per mm for the extra stretch ease of donning.
To me the trade off is worth it.

 

[tridacna]

You may be asking for the impossible. I have never come across any 5ml wetsuit that is neutral buoyancy. The vast majority of exposure suits are closed cell foam neoprene, which is of course buoyant due to the air bubbles.

There are a few non-neoprene products such as Lavacore that are neutrally buoyant, but I have not seen any that claim to be as warm as a 5ml neoprene wetsuit. Perhaps someone else has seen something that warm. Lavacore provides the same warmth as a wetsuit in the 2-3ml range.

A quick solution to helping put on a wetsuit is to wear a lycra skin underneath. Almost no weight in your luggage, and it helps the suit glide on over the slick material. Adds just a little bit of warmth too, as it helps trap that layer of water next to your skin.

On warm water trips I wear a full Lavacore suit, and bring a 3ml shorty with in case I need to layer up a bit. But first I would add my Lavacore hood and keep the shorty dry for as long as possible. I rarely use it.

mm not ml. Never saw wetsuit thickness measured in teaspoons before.

 

[JackD342]

mm not ml. Never saw wetsuit thickness measured in teaspoons before.

Fixed. You know, there was something nagging me at the back of my mind as I typed that, but I didn't listen to it.

 

[Bob DBF]

The zippers help, but are usually on stiffer neoprene. Depending on how you are built, it may still be hard to get on, just easier at the cuffs.

Henderson, and probably others, have a stretch neoprene that is a lot easier to get on, I use one. They lose their thermal protection sooner, in my experience, than the stiffer neoprene, but for me it's worth it. If you can find a shop with one, try it out.

Also, you might think about a 3mm farmer John and step in jacket which will give 6mm on your core. Depends on how much protection you need, and where.



Bob

 

[Marie13]

Bare has stretchy neoprene on their higher end suits. They also have ankle zippers on the 5 and 7mm. Lycra full body suit and Lycra socks help a lot.

 

[-JD-]

My Waterproof 3.5mm has ankle, neck, and wrist zips. I found it ez on/off.

Their W4 is similarly constructed and available in 5mm and 7mm. Will be bouyant, though.

 

[azstinger11]

Fourth element has a line of suits marketed as being neutrally buoyant, no idea if it’s true or how easy it is to don/doff.

Personally I find most suits pretty darn easy to don/doff I’m wearing Lycra socks and Lycra skin suit. Makes a suit go from a straight jacket to comfy pair of PJs.