Lavacore: Any Real World Experience from Real World-Sized Women?

[JTemple]

I'm considering buying a Lavacore short sleeve shirt or vest (without hood) to wear under a 3mm when diving in Lembeh and Bunaken this May. I chill easily, but do not want to bring my 5mm. Any women out there using either? I'm curious as to the benefits/disadvantages of the short sleeve vs the vest, both in comfort and warmth. Sizing is also an issue. I normally wear xl or xxl or even 1x t-shirts, it all depends on the shirt, and really do not want it to fit too snug. Especially in the armpits. There isn't any place locally wear I can try them on before purchasing, unfortunately. TIA for any/all advice.

Cheers.

 

[pelan-pelan]

Bought a Lavacore suit. The design of the sleeves has a gusset which means it doesn't cut under the armpits. The sizing charts seem to be accurate. I ended up buying a men's size because Lavacore and so many of the other manufacturers seem to assume that women have huge behinds.

 

[buddhasummer]

My experience although a male is that the sizing is all up the s..t, the cut is also rather strange certainly on the long sleeve top I bought and all the ones i tried on. Thermal properties under my suit were nil. If you check over in Lavacores forum you'll get some more info. I would certainly not buy if you cannot try on first. Based on my experience I wouldn't recommend. Good luck.

 

[Wingy]

Dont buy Lavacore unless you can try it on first. I have and love my lavacore hooded vest but have had to make a couple of snips and adjustments as Lavacore seem to think small = you have the body shape of a 14 year old boy. The cut is the probem with lavacore as buddhasummer has mentioned. I would recommend Lavacore but you do need to try it on - even after trying mine on before I bought it - dive shop sales person telling me its supposed to be that tight so I understand trying on garments dry does make a difference but have done my own snips here and there - underarms and neck especially.

 

[Lorenzoid]

My wife who is 5'10" with a womanly figure says her Lavacore XL hooded vest fits her very well. She wears it under a 3 mm suit when the temp dips into the 75-80F range. In Lembeh she was comfortable without the Lavacore, but I don't recall what time of year that was.

I plan to get one just like hers.

 

[buddhasummer]

My wife who is 5'10" with a womanly figure says her Lavacore XL hooded vest fits her very well. She wears it under a 3 mm suit when the temp dips into the 75-80F range. In Lembeh she was comfortable without the Lavacore, but I don't recall what time of year that was.

I plan to get one just like hers.

you should probably buy the men's one

 

[chillyinCanada]

What difference, if any, is there between a lavacore longsleeve and a Bare Chillguard? Anyone?

 

[Lorenzoid]

you should probably buy the men's one

I knew as soon as I wrote it that some smartass was going to say that.

 

[buddhasummer]

I knew as soon as I wrote it that some smartass was going to say that.

Yeah I know a little predictable, but was bored and couldn't resist. No hard feelings.

 

[muzikbiz22]

When purchasing Lavacore, trying it on first is A MUST !!! I'm a guy, 6'1", about 175. I had tried on a couple of different mens pieces that "should have fit" according to their size chart, but they didn't. Or at least not the way I like my stuff to fit. On A whim, I was eyeballing another one hanging in my LDS, and it turned out to be a womens full suit. Well, guess what, I tried it on and the thing fit like a glove and that is the one that I bought and now wear. As far as the product itself goes, IT WORKS !!! I've been wearing under my 7 mil here in SoCal for the winter, and it certainly helps. You feel the cold, but you don't feel cold. It takes the edge/sting off the colder water. The past 2 months, I've been doing some deep/long dives and I've hit 50 degrees and was "comfortable".