Full Suit Skin vs Shorty

[RobPNW]

Yeah the flat lock seam leaks a ton. Hold it up to the sun and you can see the light coming through. It is a strong and comfortable seam. Remember you have a back zipper down your whole back which leaks more. As mentioned, you are over thinking this.

LOL, overthinking is one of my specialties

 

[JMJ Wetsuits]

I'm a little confused on the flat lock seams recommendation. If those allow more water intrusion, does that not counteract the whole point of having a more compression resilient neoprene? the flatlock idea was a late-night thought on my part and not a tried or tested recommendation.

Sorry for any confusion - -the flatlocking idea it was more of a late-night thought than a tried recommendation. I will give it some more thought and maybe a test run before bringing it up again

Best you contact the shop and talk to one of the guys with (way) more design experience than I.

Best,
Derek

 

[PaulBtnn]

So among Lavacore, Exotherm, Sharkskin and Thermocline is there the one you would generally prefer?

 

[lexvil]

I use 1mm full suit and if it’s warm I don’t and if it gets colder like mid 70’s I’ll put on a second 1mm, they hold up fine and don’t cost much, pack easily and light.

I have a shark skin, not as warm as the 1mm and takes a long time to dry.

 

[drk5036]

So among Lavacore, Exotherm, Sharkskin and Thermocline is there the one you would generally prefer?

I have a bare exowear and I really like it.

 

[stuartv]

So among Lavacore, Exotherm, Sharkskin and Thermocline is there the one you would generally prefer?

Do you mean Exowear, instead of Exotherm?

I like my Exowear better than my Lavacore. I haven't really tried the other 2.

 

[RobPNW]

I've got my eyes on a 1.5mm neoprene full suit right now. Just got to see if it fits good enough. With the exowear and my SS BP/W, I'd probably be negatively buoyant. The neoprene suit will probably be about 40% less expensive too. We'll see if I can snag one and if it fits.

 

[drk5036]

I've got my eyes on a 1.5mm neoprene full suit right now. Just got to see if it fits good enough. With the exowear and my SS BP/W, I'd probably be negatively buoyant. The neoprene suit will probably be about 40% less expensive too. We'll see if I can snag one and if it fits.

1.5 mm of neoprene is going to result in very little buoyancy, just so you’re aware. Maybe 1 pound or so? But it will give you more lift than the exowear for sure.

(If you are using a regular stainless steel backplate I would still go with a regular 3 mm suit, but that’s my bias )

 

[inquis]

With the exowear and my SS BP/W, I'd probably be negatively buoyant.

Don't forget about the dive location -- warm water is often AL80 and salt. If that's the call, then I think you'd have to have one of the thicker SS plates to not be positive.

 

[RobPNW]

Don't forget about the dive location -- warm water is often AL80 and salt. If that's the call, then I think you'd have to have one of the thicker SS plates to not be positive.

With a 3mm in tropical water and a bulky rental BC, I needed 10 lbs. I'm assuming going to SS BP/W and not having the 3mm fullsuit would be 10 lbs. That's where I was thinking I would be negative or break even. With a 1.5mm, I figure I'd carry about 2lbs of ditch weight. We'll see how it goes.