Lavacore vs

[Ross Meinicke]

Hi all, just trying to decide between lavaskin , shark skin or frog skin for a light weight option for traveling

 

[Littlerayray]

They all do the same pretty much go with what feels right I have lavacore and I use it as an undergarment in my drysuit and wear it in the pool when assisting with courses and it keeps me comfortable I've never heard of frog skin but I'm sure they all are very comparable I would look at price above anything else btw I know lavacore claims to be neutral buoyant if that helps

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I have done a long review of frogskins in the exposure protection subforum of the equipment forum with a comparison to lavacore. They are not the same, at all. Frogskins are the best, hands down. Check it out. I do not work for them and spent my own $$ for them.. If I were looking for a lightweight travel option that is truly warm, these are the way to go.

 

[Hawkwood]

They all do the same pretty much go with what feels right I have lavacore and I use it as an undergarment in my drysuit and wear it in the pool when assisting with courses and it keeps me comfortable I've never heard of frog skin but I'm sure they all are very comparable I would look at price above anything else btw I know lavacore claims to be neutral buoyant if that helps

Littlerayray, I have been toying with the idea of trying mine as an undergarment. I just haven't yet because I'm loath to get all geared up, go in, then decide "nope" and then change everything out.

What have your experiences been? Moisture wise, water temps you've used it in, etc. How have you found it to compare with other undergarments you have used?

 

[Littlerayray]

Well the lavacore I find wicks the moisture away from my body and in 35 to 50 degree water I put a sweater over it for extra insulation the thumb loops on the shirt negate the need for sticks in your cuffs for dry glove usage I love the lavacore but then again it also takes a lot for me to get cold ymmv I also had nothing to compare it to I bought my drysuit for 100 bucks had to replace the cuff seals on it and it didn't come with undergarments and it's a neoprene drysuit has a few leaks that are slowly getting taken care of that being said I don't need as much loft as a trilam

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

I will say that my review was not for use as a drysuit undergarment, but as primary exposure protection in warm water, or a secondary layer under a wetsuit.

For drysuit use, the flaws of lavacore as "wet" exposure protection (loose fit, not much true warmth when wet) might not apply, and the breathability, which means nothing when wet, might even be an advantage in a drysuit. So, consider that when reading my review, as well.

 

[Hawkwood]

Great, thanks for the info. I might just give it a try when I am on the coast in mid February.

I absolutely love my Lavacore and I aways take it with me when I go south. The Lavacore and my Pinnacle Merino 3mm have me just about covered for most eventualities.

 

[Littlerayray]

Well there's your problem guy lavacore is meant to fit tightly like a wetsuit my lavacore garments are fitted to me and are tight maybe that's why your lavacore test failed

 

[Hawkwood]

Well there's your problem guy lavacore is meant to fit tightly like a wetsuit my lavacore garments are fitted to me and are tight maybe that's why your lavacore test failed

Yeah, I equate it to a pair of running tights.

 

[Littlerayray]

Not sure how snug a pair of running tights are since I don't run but I know I am quite comfortable in my lavacore