how much neoprene?

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E

Earl E. Retire

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Sandy Eggo
I want to begin to do free diving with snorkel for bugs, and some spearfishing. I need a new wetsuit that will keep me warm year round (i.e., through the San Diego winters when H2O temp can get to 50 degrees F).
My question is, is 7mm thickness too much? I use a 3mm fullsuit for surfing and waterskiing. But I need something warmer for diving. I'm thinking I could use a hood also when water gets below, say 58 degrees F.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

EER
 
7 Mil is a must for scuba diving but you may be able to get away with 5 mil for free diving.
 
Last year our heaviest suits were 5mm with 3/5 hooded vests underneath. We were skin-diving down to almost 50F and it was doable as lomg as you keep moving. After 1-3/4 hours we got out feeling a little cool but not distressed. Now that I have a 7mm I'd definitely wear that.

You will want the good well before 58F, it's a huge heat looser otherwise.

Especially with scuba diving in the picture skip the 5mm. I only use my 5mm for mid summer fresh water scuba dives and mid summer ocean skin-dives. On any given dive you are better off being a little warm than a lot cool.

Pete

Earl E. Retire:
I want to begin to do free diving with snorkel for bugs, and some spearfishing. I need a new wetsuit that will keep me warm year round (i.e., through the San Diego winters when H2O temp can get to 50 degrees F).
My question is, is 7mm thickness too much? I use a 3mm fullsuit for surfing and waterskiing. But I need something warmer for diving. I'm thinking I could use a hood also when water gets below, say 58 degrees F.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

EER
Click to expand...
 
Better to get a 7 mil long for a 5 mil job than a 5 mil when you needed a 7 mil.
 
I am a new diver from the Northeast and wear a Henderson 7mil two-piece farmer john wetsuit with hood, gloves and booties. I hit a thermocline the other day which dropped the temp from 62 to 54 and my suit kept me nice and toasty:)
 
Thank you for all the replies and advice. Looks like 7mil it is! I agree, better to be a little warm that cold. Now it's time to go shopping, then to get in the water!

EER
 
Earl E. Retire:
Thank you for all the replies and advice. Looks like 7mil it is! I agree, better to be a little warm that cold. Now it's time to go shopping, then to get in the water!

EER
Click to expand...
One source for wet suits is www.ScubaL.com with 7 mil, custom made, hybrid neoprene jumpsuits for around $200 including freight from Viet Nam.
 
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