How do you choose wetsuits?

[shakespear]

Specificly which ones will keep you warm?

I am planning some spring dives and some ocean dives at the beginning of the year. I figure my water temp will be 60's in the springs and 70's in the ocean.

How do I know what mm suit to get?

I just have a shorty now.

thanks!

 

[Teamcasa]

So much of it is determined by your tolerance for cold.
For me, diving here in SoCal (48-68) a full 7mm is minimum. When I dive the tropics, (72+) it’s a 3/5mm.

More importantly, it is the fit. Mine are custom made and the fit is perfect. This insures I’ll stay warmer as I will have less water circulation. So, unless you have an off-the-rack body shape, consider a custom of have a wetsuit tailor re-fit the off-the-rack suit.

 

[Captain12Pk]

TSandM recenty posted a great thread on how to determine whether or not you have the right wetsuit. It may not be exactly the information you're looking for but I would definately read it and evaluate your needs with her information in mind.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/210127-do-you-have-right-wetsuit.html

 

[muddiver]

The U.S. Navy Diving Manual and I think the PADI Encyclopedia of Diving have charts on what exposure suit is good to as far as temperature. You can use those and shoot for the center of the chart or the portion between suits that overlaps your temperature range.

U.S. Navy Diving Manual

 

[shotthebreeze]

Depending on you build, that'd be a full 7mm.

 

[Bobyjimmie]

Things to look for besides thickness are seams, are they welded, double welded etc. Neoprene itself will not permit water to pass through it but water will pass through where it is sewn so if you buy a 7mm suit with sewn seems without welded or sealed seams you will get water passing through the seams letting the fresh cold water in. I live in Southern California and I wear an O'neill J-type year round, its a tad warm in the summer so I just let a little water down my neck and I am good to go and in the winter I am not the least bit cold. Our water ranges from 50 to 65 degrees depending on the location, just FYI. Seems make a huge difference though.

O'Neill Products