I just gotta ask....

[pjdc1]

Im looking into getting a wetsuit.
looking at either a 7mm semi dry or
a 7mm farmer john.

this would be for Chicago diving.

Question...

Which one would you suggest, I know the semi dry will cost
more, but have read that a good semi dry insulates as much
as a FJ.

also... has anyone bought theirs online and were you
satisfied with it when you got it ... buying sight unseen.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I would recommend a trilam drysuit.

No, I didnt answer your question, but I offered a better solution.

It is advisable to try on any suit before you buy it. Not a good idea to buy sight unseen. With that being said, you can look at sizing charts and make a educated guess. For some people, this does not always work. Hence, the first piece of advice...

 

[swope]

I just picked up a Henderson SemiDry for $500 from a LDS. I know LP has them for $400, but the LDS went thru the trouble of making sure that my new suit was gonna fit, so I gave them my business.

I should also mention that I was 99% sure I needed a large, but after getting fitted at the store I wound up getting up a medium. So, if you were looking at the Henderson, I'd say get a size smaller.

I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I'm still looking for dive buddy willing to brave the cold water with me

 

[theskull]

For Chicago diving I would definitely recommend the trilam drysuit, especially if you are somewhat experienced or plan to dive often.

But I'll also answer the questions you asked:

1. The single piece jumpsuit semidry, with a hooded vest, will be just as warm and far more comfortable than the farmer john. Plus you'll require much less weight to sink.

2. I have ordered online, but was never satisfied with what I received where wet suits are concerned. The fit was never right, they seldom had what I wanted in stock, and the quality was poor (unless I knew the brand and it was a top quality one, such as Henderson, Seaquest, or Scubapro). By the time you pay return shipping for a return or exchange you have blown most of the savings over buying locally. And locally you get to try it on first! Even if they have to order a suit for you, they take the responsibility of return shipping if it doesn't fit the first try.

theskull

 

[redacted]

If you know what you want, then online is doable but consider what extra postage will do to potential savings. If you are really sure you are size "A" or "B", then order both and ship one back. You can probably do the same thing even with 3 or 4 different sizes and still come out ahead.

Watch out for the LDS that wants you to pay shipping cost because they don't have the size you want to try. Or the one that trys to sell you the wrong size because that is what they have in stock.

 

[Warren_L]

I'd probably just skip the semi-dry suit and go straight to the dry suit. With the incremental cost, it's still probably worth it.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

You will be much more comfortable in a drysuit.

Particularly if you ever go up towards the wrecks in the Straits or up towards Munising or Marquette.

yes, you CAN dive wet. But remember that the more uncomfortable it is, the less likely you are to enjoy the experience. Plus, the after dive boat temps up north are rarely balmy.

If you don't go with a trilam drysuit, I suspect you will soon wish that you had.

Doc

 

[Dive Source]

Semi dry or wetsuit...hmm..

Any wetsuit will still be cold and clammy when you get into it for that second dive of the day in Lake Michigan. Brrrrrr...

Go for a decent entry level trilam dry suit ( i.e. BARE Nexgen). You LDS will fit you properly and I'm sure they will do their best to meet your target price.

 

[Paco]

I agree with theskull. I have a 7mm Scubapro jumpsuit with a hooded vest and I've dove some very cold water with it: Munising, Lake Michigan etc. I also just bought a Bare Nex-Gen drysuit (for under $500) and the post dive warmth was well worth it. I intend to keep diving until the ice keeps me from getting in the water.

 

[Ice Blue]

I would recomend the Bare 7mm Arctic Full suit and Hooded shorty. That's what I dive with in Quebec and I don't get cold with it. I've been ice diving with it and prefer a dry suit but the wetsuit wasn't bad. I've been diving with it late Feb. to late Nov. Cost $460.00 with Tax CND