how thick is your wetsuit?

[Homunculus]

hey fellow new englanders,
i'm in the process of buying a wetsuit for Cape Ann diving (and surroundings), from June till October. i'm thinking of getting 5 mm full suit and hooded vest of 5 mm, but i'm debating whether i should get 7 mm full suit and 5 mm hooded vest. i've been renting 7 mm farmer john 2 pc suit, so 14 mm on torso and 7 mm on legs and arms and 7 mm hood, gloves and boots. i'm wondering how thick is your wetsuit to get an idea. I know that quite a few of you are wearing drysuits but at present i can't afford one, maybe in a few years.
Also, i'd greatly appreciate if you could tell me what brand you use and how happy you are with your suit.
thank you

 

[Lursxt]

You know my response in the exposure suit forum. I'm using a henderson gold core full suit with integrated hood 7/5mm. I'm using gold core 7mm gloves and gold core 7mm boots. I was comfortable from July (open water cert) though the end of october when I stopped for the season. I'm concerned about being cold when I get wet for the season mid-april. I may purchase a pinnacle 3mm vest as an extra layer. I'm also interested in the Pinnacle Polar, but I think I'll start with the henderson and see how I feel.

 

[Rick2]

prior to going dry, I used Henderson 7mil hyperstretch Farmer John & 5 mil hyperstretch gloves and hood. If your weight bounces around a bit, you'll find the hyperstretch line a gift from heaven. The material does pill a bit under straps and friction points but a small price to pay for the increased flexability. Try on plenty of suits and be sure the fit is a good one. Snug but not too tight, Good Luck

 

[LobstaMan]

When I'm not dry, it's a Bare 7mm Arctic with a 5mm hooded vest underneath.

Lobstaman

 

[Soggy]

When I'm not dry, it's a Bare 7mm Arctic with a 5mm hooded vest underneath.

Lobstaman

Me too...though it's been like 3 years since I dived wet up here and I got pretty cold even in that config.

 

[matt_unique]

Before I went dry I used a Seaquest Contour 7 with a 2nd layer torso overlay w/integrated hood.

I know this sounds annoying, but the first day I dove with a drysuit my first thoughts were "why did I waste $400 on a wetsuit?" Within the last 2 years I found a brand new 7mm neo drysuit for $500.

I bought the same suit 7 years ago for $750. I will buy another and I have had less leaks in those 7 years than all of my friends in mucho expensive DUI suits among others. Hands down...the best leak record among my dive buddies.

--Matt

 

[Green_Manelishi]

During the summer, depending on the site, either a 5mm SP "Steamer", or 7MM Oneill one piece, with hooded vest. Otherwise I use a drysuit.

 

[Scott5644]

I'm a bit different than most people. I use a 3mm suit and a hooded vest down to about 50 degrees. Below that I switch to my Henderson Gold Core 7mm

 

[paulthenurse]

Before I went dry I used a Seaquest Contour 7 with a 2nd layer torso overlay w/integrated hood.

I know this sounds annoying, but the first day I dove with a drysuit my first thoughts were "why did I waste $400 on a wetsuit?" Within the last 2 years I found a brand new 7mm neo drysuit for $500.
I bought the same suit 7 years ago for $750. I will buy another and I have had less leaks in those 7 years than all of my friends in mucho expensive DUI suits among others. Hands down...the best leak record among my dive buddies.

--Matt

Now I'm really curious, what suit is that? Thanks.

Also, to address the original question, thicker is better. You can always pull the neck open and scoop in some water if you get too warm. If you are cold you are going to stay cold until you get out. And probably for quite a while afterwards, too/

 

[TimK]

I dive a Xcel Polar Tri-density semi dry and have been comfortable down to 35 - 37 and 104 fsw as well as toasty during the summer when the water temps get up to the 60's. It's a great suit with no water flushing through it at all. At most, about a cup comes out as I take off the suit. I think my LDS is kinda sorry they sold it to me -- they keep asking me if I'm ready for a drysuit but I'm so comfortable in my wetsuit that if it weren't for taking it off in the chill after the dive, I wouldn't even consider a drysuit. It has 9mm in he torso area, 8mm in the upper arm/leg areas and then 7mm in lower arm/leg areas. Also has integrated 7mm hood.