Is 5mm too much for Caribbean?

[scubatoys]

If you think 3 may not be enough, but 5 may be too much, why not just go with something like a Neosport 4/5 suit

Or the other option is just do the 3 mil, then get a Henderson Sleeveless Shorty to wear over it if you get cold. That would then turn your 3 mil into a 6/3 suit. And it give you the added option of wearing it just as a shorty if it's really warm.

 

[Geezer]

I thought the sleeveless shorty was made to be worn under a fullsuit. What is the advantage to wearing it on the outside, or is it just a matter of individual preference?

 

[Sue-ba]

We did 12 dives in 5 days at Coz last week. I used my skin on all dives except I used my .5 in the night dive. I was fine and even got warm on a few dives. Toward the end of the week, I did notice the cooler thermoclines more often. It is the first time I was even aware of the differing water temps during a dive. I chalk it up to the fact that repeat dives do make you more suseptible to the temperature. My 14 yr old son who is pure muscle and not a single cell of body fat was a little cold after the first couple of dives and used his .5 and was fine. He wore his skin under his .5 for the night dive and did not complain about being cold.

 

[Damselfish]

HAHAHA. Thanks again guys for the responses. I think I am just gonna go for a 5mm and be done with it. Better warmer than colder. Guess I could always leave the back a little unzipped.

You can let water in so a thicker suit isn't too hot, but if you don't really need the suit it's a shame to lose some of the benefits of diving warm water - not overheating on the surface in that thick suit, the comfort of a thin suit, easier to pack, and less weight needed.

 

[r00t0fallevil]

HAHAH... You are all going to laugh! What this all comes down to is that I have 5mm booties I am trying to match! HAHAHAAHAA

 

[kidspot]

I have 7mil boots and a .5 mil full suit hmm wonder if I should pick up a 7mil suit too? nah. . . of course I did something similar - I found fins I liked, then found boots to fit them and me both - took several tries but these did the trick.

 

[SubMariner]

Can a 5mm be that big of a difference with a 3?

It's a HUGE difference, not only from a weighting POV, but from a bulk and overheating POV.

Let's put in in Imperial terms: 3mm is approx 1/4"; 5mm is approx 1/2". That is about DOUBLE the bulk.

Again, way too much for the Bahamas.

 

[cdennyb]

A few of my friends went to the Bikini Atoll dive location and dove the wrecks there (Bas**rds!) while I stayed here and worked.
They used their dry shell suits and just a pair of boxers and tank top under it. They were very comfortable and the multiple dives every day were easy they said because they never got wet, or cold, or fatigued.
I like that idea. Never a wet butt again. :11:

 

[r00t0fallevil]

:dazzler1:

OKAY! You guys talked me into it. I got the 5mm psychosis out of my head. I will now get a 3mm. You know the fish down there do care about style! HAHAHAHA

Thanks guys once again!

 

[mmcdds]

:dazzler1:

OKAY! You guys talked me into it. I got the 5mm psychosis out of my head. I will now get a 3mm. You know the fish down there do care about style! HAHAHAHA

Thanks guys once again!

Well, I hate to disagree with the majority, but I just got back from 8 days in Cozumel where we were diving 3 dives a day, the water temp was around 84 degrees and I wore my 5mm Henderson Hyperstretch full suit the whole time and I was very comfortable, I never felt overheated. I did wear a 3mm shorty on the last day because it does dry faster. I guess it all depends on what you're comfortable with. And besides, a 5mm hyperstretch feels more comfortable to me then most 3mm full suits.