Hooded vest for under wetsuit question

[divebrasil]

Hey guys, I have seen differing opinions about whether or not a polyester based layer (polytherm, polypro, etc..) does anything to add warmth under a wetsuit. What's your opinion?

I am looking for an under layer to wear on those repetitive dives where the 5/4/3 fullsuit falls just a bit short towards the end of the dives.

I was looking at this Excel hooded vest, I like the 2mm hood, but the vest is 10 ounce polypro...Will that vest add any warmth or not make a difference?

Another option is this Aqualung 1.5mm hood and vest. Will definitely add warmth to my core, but hood might be too thing.

I was actually hoping to wear whatever hooded vest I buy also during my wetsuit when I go surfing.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[diver 85]

Don't know if this would help any, but it's only about 30 bucks USD...2 mm thickness, I ve had one for years...

Evo Unisex 2mm Hooded Vest for scuba diving

 

[maniago]

Don't know if this would help any, but it's only about 30 bucks USD...2 mm thickness, I ve had one for years...

+1 on the Evo. Actually +2 as I bought one for my wife as well - I dove mine in the Bahamas a few weeks ago under a 5 mil; she went without. Neither of us had an issue, so I don't think it adds a huge amount as a core warmer, but enough for me and the hood was perfect. I did 4 dives a day x3days, not cold once. Water temps were low to mid 70's.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I used a Lavacore hooded vest (they refer to their material as POLYTHERM(TM)) under a 5 mm wetsuit and found it was just not quite warm enough for me in 72 F water. So I am in the process of selecting a neoprene hooded vest to use instead. I am thinking 1.5 mm of neoprene will be about equivalent in warmth to the Lavacore--which would be no gain in warmth for me--so I am leaning toward a 2 mm like the Evo mentioned above.

Lavacore and the like seem too good to be true: extra warmth, no buoyancy, easy to don and doff. They may be useful in some situations, but I believe they are of marginal value for many of us who are looking for substantial added warmth.

 

[Steve_C]

I picked up a 5/3 hooded vest. Wore it with my 4/3 in Jan in Key Largo during a cold week. Was comfortable.

Today I did a local dive with the 5/3 hooded vest and my 7 in a local quarry at 46 degrees. Arms and hands got cold at 35 minutes but it was not the vests fault. Had on only 5mm gloves.

I would go with a heavier one but in a nice stretchy material.

 

[LowVizWiz]

Hey guys, I have seen differing opinions about whether or not a polyester based layer (polytherm, polypro, etc..) does anything to add warmth under a wetsuit. What's your opinion?

I am looking for an under layer to wear on those repetitive dives where the 5/4/3 fullsuit falls just a bit short towards the end of the dives.

I was looking at this Excel hooded vest, I like the 2mm hood, but the vest is 10 ounce polypro...Will that vest add any warmth or not make a difference?

Another option is this Aqualung 1.5mm hood and vest. Will definitely add warmth to my core, but hood might be too thing.

I was actually hoping to wear whatever hooded vest I buy also during my wetsuit when I go surfing.

Thoughts?

Thanks

I wear a Bare 1mm Hooded vest under my 3/2 suit for water in the low 70s. The added protection for my head alone keeps me warmer.
I recently wore it just with a dive skin and shorts in 75 degree water and I was very comfortable.
The one I wear is this one and it's lined with nylon material.
Bare 1 mm Men's Sport Hooded Vest, Black at LeisurePro

 

[Instructor_Tom]

If your getting cold towards the end of the dive and your not wearing a hood now, just get the hood. I recommend a Bare elasta hood preferable in a 7mil. Its what i use. Even in 70 degree water if your in there for 60min you get cold because 80% of you heat loss is coming from you head.

Dive with the hood just 1 day and you'll understand what i mean.

Dive safe.

T.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[buddhasummer]

I used a Lavacore hooded vest (they refer to their material as POLYTHERM(TM)) under a 5 mm wetsuit and found it was just not quite warm enough for me in 72 F water. So I am in the process of selecting a neoprene hooded vest to use instead. I am thinking 1.5 mm of neoprene will be about equivalent in warmth to the Lavacore--which would be no gain in warmth for me--so I am leaning toward a 2 mm like the Evo mentioned above.

Lavacore and the like seem too good to be true: extra warmth, no buoyancy, easy to don and doff. They may be useful in some situations, but I believe they are of marginal value for many of us who are looking for substantial added warmth.

Totally agree. I was not overly impressed. I do feel the cold. Maybe if you're cold tolerant to begin with a LC might be ok but if you feel the cold and want something that will actually add some noticeable warmth, IMO, you're best served adding some neoprene.

 

[divebrasil]

Don't know if this would help any, but it's only about 30 bucks USD...2 mm thickness, I ve had one for years...

Evo Unisex 2mm Hooded Vest for scuba diving

Thanks for the advice. The thing about the Evo under my wetsuit for temperate waters (5/4mm) would be adding to a total of 7mm on the core area. Just seems like overkill for let's say low 70 degrees which would be the coldest for example in Hawaii.

 

[Steve_C]

70 is not just 70.

70 on a bright sunny day with no wind and only a shallow dive or 2 is one thing.

70 on a cloudy day with the air a bit cool and several deeper/longer dives is another thing.

If during a dive you feel a little warm it is easy to dump heat. Just add some water. If during a dive you feel cool and getting cooler you just get to feel uncomfortable.

As I get older, and I exert less under water, I tend to err on the side of warmer.