I live in a somewhat unique environment

[cloudflint]

I dive a 7mm semi-dry all year round. Typical winter temperatures are around 37f and summer temperatures are around 53f. Ive never had any trouble with these temperatures but I once dived in a river that was 61f and I ended up way overheating in my semi-dry. So much so that i ended up taking off my semi-dry and diving in my trunks. Outher guys where diving in membrane suits and had no problems since they had just put on thin under-suits.

So i guess in my experience, if i was going to be diving in temperatures above 53f on a regular basis i would probably get a membrane suit so i could vary my insulation. Or for the cost of that i could probably get at least two wetsuits of varying thickness for diving different conditions.

 

[SubMariner]

I believe he meant it ranges from 110 degrees to below zero.

Well, that's a leetle beet different then, isn't it?

Another vote for a trilam drysuit: it will handle the big swings with various thicknesses of undergarments.

 

[aquaregia]

While a trilaminate might be the best single-solution, it's far from being the most cost-effective option, which I think is the reason you're looking for a single-solution to start with.

I'd consider a crappy used 7mm, a crappy used 3mm and a decent new hooded vest or chicken vest. That should give you pretty good 40-80F options, and run you about $200 total if you're a common size.

 

[scubadada]

I use a 7 mil farmer john wetsuit year round. My bottom temps. range from 33F to over 60F here. When it hits 65 or over (on a trip South), I usually just use the top (you have to adjust trim without the bottom obviously). A shortie or body suit is best for temps. above 70-75 (in my case). Haven't had BC or reg. troubles yet (maybe lucky?).

I can't easily or comfortably dive below the high 40s in my full 7mm with 5/3mm hooded vest for the 45-60 min I would like. I would certainly dive dry for frequent dives in this temp range.

Good diving, Craig

 

[knowone]

Yeah. Buy the arm and the leg of a drysuit and will the rest to materialise or use the
aquaregia Knowone method and scratch together all your gear for a fifth the price of one. Then suck it in and go diving.