Henderson 5mm Hyperstretch

[mmcdds]

I've decided its time for a new wetsuit. I live in the Chicago area and use a 7mm farmer john when I dive around here and a 3mm shorty when diving on vacation in warm water. Problem is the last couple of times I was on vacation I've ended up being cold after the second morning dive. We were in Florida over Thanksgiving this year and diving in 79 degree water off of Jupiter, and again I got cold during the second dive in my 3mm shorty, so I've decided to pick up a full suit.

I was at the dive shop trying on wetsuits this weekend and had an oppurtunity to try on a Henderson titanium hyperstretch. I have to say that it was by far the most comfortable wetsuit I've ever tried on. I've read quite abit about the hyperstretch line on these boards and I am aware that people seem to feel that they are less durable, take longer to dry and aren't as warm at depth because the hyperstretch neoprene compresses more. But the 5mm hyperstretch I tried on was everybit as comfortable as any of the conventional 3mm wetsuits. My question for those of you who use them, do you think that the 5mm hyperstretch will be warmer at depth than a conventional 3mm. I hate to spend the money on it only to find that I would have been warmer in a conventional 3mm fullsuit.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on the matter.

 

[scubasean]

I don't know about the 5mm, but I used the 7mm hyperstretch in the 55 degree Monterey waters and was fine. My son was cold in his arms, when using the exact same suit.

I agree that the Hyperstretch is quite a comfortable suit....

 

[yknot]

First, I wasn't aware that hyperstretch was said to compress more. I believe that it is the lycra outer of the suits which enable them to stretch and not a more compressible neoprene. In any event, I think that the close fit advantage of hyperstretch suits will more than compensate for any extra compression. I have a 7/5 suit which is 7mm in the core area-chest, etc. and 5mm in the arms and legs. This gives me the extra mobility of a 5mm suit with the core heat retention of a 7mm suit. I have dove this suit in about 40deg. water- not unbearable but I wouldn't recommend two dives at that temp. I have also used it in Florida Keys springtime water, 75 deg or so, and never felt too hot. The way these suits fill the gaps that exist in stiffer suits, such as crotch, spine, under arms, makes all the difference.

 

[Scubamedicjoe]

I dove a 5MM wetsuit in Fla this past weekend and was just fine and it was the Hyperstretch , i in summer time use a 3mm hyperstretch off the coast of NC and use a 5 Mm in winter and it just fine in winter up there i would think you would need a 7 mm and maybe 5 mm in summer .

 

[waterwraith]

Hey I have just purchased two 7/5mm henderson hyperstretch suits for both me and my wife.

I asked my LDS the same questions your asking.

When I asked him about warmth at depth he told me that he felt that the hyperstretch was warmer than standard neoprene because you get a much closer fit.

As for durability, he told me that the hyperstretch suits were about 80% as durible as standard neoprene. His comparison was that if a regular wetsuit lasts you ten years the hyperstretch will probably last only eight years. One warning, keep velcro away from the suit the two things do not get along (the velcro picks at the suit).

All in all I felt that the hyperstretch was the way to go. I got a suit that felt like it was custom made for me.

BTW When you try on a suit you may want them to give you a smaller size than you usually wear. I generally wear a large but a small fit me wonderfully. Also try out the hyperstretch hoods and gloves, they are way too comfortable.

 

[mmcdds]

Thanks for the input, I think the 5mm Hyperstretch is the route I'll take

Mike

 

[oversea]

I dive a 5mm up in the cold long island waters and it's fine. Early in the season I add a 7mm core warmer and I would go as far as saying its "toasty". I am also one of those people who walk around b _ _ ching that I'm cold and hate the winter. Some food for thought.

 

[jahhaas]

I'd like to ask a question about the 7/5 suit. I am going to Cabo San Lucas in February and plan to dive a couple of days while I'm there. I am considering the Henderson hyperstretch suit but can't decide between the one piece suit or the farmer john. I would certainly rather dive in the one piece because I don't want to have to use the extra weight that I would need for the farmer john unless I really need the core insulation that the farmer john would afford. For those of you who who posted here, when you refer to diving in the 7/5 are you talking about the one piece? The water in Cabo should be in the 55 to 65 degree range depending on depth: do you think that the one piece 7/5 suit would be warm enough for two dives in one day?

 

[5615mike]

Yes but if you have a microprene jumpsuit, skin or even a shorty 3mm you might use it too as it is very easy to layer under those suits.

 

[jewey4]

Yes but if you have a microprene jumpsuit, skin or even a shorty 3mm you might use it too as it is very easy to layer under those suits.

Hi 5615Mike,
Just wondering if you use the Microprene under your wetsuit? I'm thinking of buying it because I could use a little more warmth with my 7/5 mm Henderson Hyperstretch and I don't want to buy anything too thick. Do you or anyone else have experience with this microprene jumpsuit under other wetsuits and the amount of extra warmth it provides?
Thanks!
Jasmine