I'm going to be cold huh?

[Mobius1]

im in sd and it is about 52 or 54 now , i use an oneil fire wall with fluid seam welds and man its so comfortable.. i was almost getting a bit too warm on my last dive to the yukon..

but then again im the guy who walks around at mammoth mountian in shorts and a t shirt..

i dont feel cole much unless its windy and im wet.

 

[divinman]

Hey Mobius. I too am in San Diego. Diving an O'Neil J-type and I too stay toasty...but last March it was 48 on the Yukon and I bought a dry suit. Never looked back.

just my 2 cents

 

[firediver293]

...I got mine, delivered to house for less than $750.00. Then I went to the Softwear website and had Janice 'custom make' a 300wt one piece under suit for less than $200. I'm always 'toasty' especially now that I have gone to the dryglove system.

My Viking Xtreme has an attached hood and an insulated beenie you wear under it, so even in VERY cold water, you have minimum exposure.

Good luck with your decision....

Tom,

I having been talking with Bob about a Viking X-treme. What are your thoughts on the attached hood? Is that something that you would recommend? I dive up your way (Great Lakes) often and do quarry diving as well as my normal fire department diving. We currently use wet suits, but really want to go dry.

 

[The Fresh Prince]

Tom,

I having been talking with Bob about a Viking X-treme. What are your thoughts on the attached hood? Is that something that you would recommend? I dive up your way (Great Lakes) often and do quarry diving as well as my normal fire department diving. We currently use wet suits, but really want to go dry.

Forget the latex hood and get a good dry hood. I started with the latex and beanie and you leak cold water every time you move your head. It also fills with air causing water to re-enter from the seal pulling away from your face. Even if you poke holes in the top to let air out, you will still get the same result, just slower. BTW, I dive the same water as you and hit Gilboa all winter.

 

[Tractor Tom]

The drysuit hood WORKS. If it is properly trimmed and you are careful how you put it on.

I SWEAR by my dryhood. It always seemed strange to me, when a drysuited diver here on the Great Lakes, puts on a wetsuit hood and plunges into the cold water. I put on my little insulated beenie, pull up the attached drysuit hood and check the seal in the mirror, then add my mask and head into the water. About 80% of the time, my hair is dry (what hair I have, as I wear it VERY short during the warm weather) and my head is nice and warm.

If I SKIP one of those steps (don't check in the mirror) I tend to have a small leak near my eyes, and it will slowly perk water in and the beenie gets wet. Then when I pull the hood off at the surface, I'll get a little water and have wet hair.

As the Viking Xtreme COMES fitted with a latex dry hood, I think it's worth a try to make it work for you. Doesn't cost any more, and if you have been wetsuit diving, you HAVE a wet hood that you can always go back to.

Good luck with the Viking Xtreme, I LOVE mine.

 

[Pimbura]

The drysuit hood WORKS. If it is properly trimmed and you are careful how you put it on.

I SWEAR by my dryhood. It always seemed strange to me, when a drysuited diver here on the Great Lakes, puts on a wetsuit hood and plunges into the cold water. I put on my little insulated beenie, pull up the attached drysuit hood and check the seal in the mirror, then add my mask and head into the water. About 80% of the time, my hair is dry (what hair I have, as I wear it VERY short during the warm weather) and my head is nice and warm.

If I SKIP one of those steps (don't check in the mirror) I tend to have a small leak near my eyes, and it will slowly perk water in and the beenie gets wet. Then when I pull the hood off at the surface, I'll get a little water and have wet hair.

As the Viking Xtreme COMES fitted with a latex dry hood, I think it's worth a try to make it work for you. Doesn't cost any more, and if you have been wetsuit diving, you HAVE a wet hood that you can always go back to.

Good luck with the Viking Xtreme, I LOVE mine.

I have a Bare Commercial Trilam. I put a dry hood on it and will never go back. I also put a purge valve in the top and it vents excess air without letting water in. I haven't had an ice cream headache since I went with a latex dry hood. I'll never have another dry suit without one. Even when I have accidentally flooded it, my head still stayed warmer than with a wet hood. Bill.

 

[SubMariner]

3. Drysuit
Henderson 3mm shortie

Frankly, I would consider going to a 3mm full length suit for exposure protection against cuts, scrapes, and those otherwise lovely exits in pounding surf in the tropics.

As for the drysuit, think trilam; use that with a variety of undergarments & you've got it made in the shade.

Bonne chance,

 

[BrianM]

I have been diving an O'neil Avalon 7mm for the last year in Monterey and I find I am ready to get out after 30 minutes and I still have air and computer time left. So I just bought a drysuit (used) on ebay and hopefully it is in as good shape as it was described.

By the way, does anyone know of a good Diving Concepts drysuit dealer in the SF bay area? I tried looking on their website and the link doesnt work for "find a dealer".

Thanks

Brian

 

[melfox26]

Thank you all for your helpful input on my dilemna. I decided to bit the bullet and order a drysuit, then just rent when I'm in Cozumel this summer. I decided on the DUI TLS350, ordered it, and I should get it in a week or so. Now if I can only afford the undergarments, I would be in business. Any ideas on undergarments? The DUI line seems awful pricey, maybe I can get them if Uncle Sam sends me a nice little check.

Mel
PADI Rescue Diver/Nitrox

 

[SubMariner]

Thank you all for your helpful input on my dilemna. I decided to bit the bullet and order a drysuit, then just rent when I'm in Cozumel this summer. I decided on the DUI TLS350, ordered it, and I should get it in a week or so. Now if I can only afford the undergarments, I would be in business. Any ideas on undergarments? The DUI line seems awful pricey, maybe I can get them if Uncle Sam sends me a nice little check

I have the DUI TLS305... love it!

As for undergarments, well you CAN go the less expensive route by layering. You start with a wicking garment (the type that hikers or skiers wear), then build on that with sweats or whatever. It all depends on the temp of the water and what your personal tolerance is for cold. Remember: it's all about the temp about where you'll be diving, NOT on the surface!

For example, in Ginnie Springs where the water temp is 70F, I wear a long sleeved wicking shirt under a sweat shirt and a pair of fleece-lined bike leggings. Then a good thick pair of socks to fill up the CF200 neoprene sock at the bottom of the DUI (I use Rock Boots).

The really thick woolie bears are great in REALLY cold water (40F or lower), though.