Inexpensive Shell Drysuits

[hex92]

The Nex-Gen is the way to go. Its priced right, and the large selection of stock sizes make it easy to get a suit that fits. I am very happy with mine. I just wish I had ordered the XXL undergarment vs the XL since it does not stretch at all. My g/f modified it a bit to get a greater range of motion so I could reach my valves, but its still not perfect. They run the specials all the time for suit, undergarment, boots, gloves, and hood. I got all of that and training for $750 + tax.

 

[Sea View]

Same thing happened to me in Kauai in mid Feb this year (froze my toucass off on a boat dive), water was 72 at 100' I had a Shorty 3 mil with me that was just fine for single tank 40' shore dives. As far as the boat dive they told me I would need a full suit, "aint no way your stay warm w/that shorty" - I though it was BS, they talked me into a well worn 3-5-3 rental (prob more like 2-3-2) I thought it was much more than I needed.
Tell you what, by the 2nd Dive I could not stop shivering, I couldn't believe it ...it's 72 degree water! but when you stop to realize your body is doing everything it can to keep you at 98.6 ...and 95 is a danger point for hypothermia setting in - it makes sense.
The owner laughed, he said his motto: "you can't have too much rubber" ...I'm a believer, while I personally would never consider (or be caught) w/a drysuit in Hawaii ... I could see a full 5mil. ...maybe even a hood.
But if a drysuit gets you in the water - do what it takes!

the coldest i've ever been on a dive was in 72 degree water at dos ojos in mexico. air temp was about 95. after two one hour dives i was freezing my can off. it happens.