Layering with a skin suit...

[Asathd]

I’ve been diving for a few years and for cold water (50F) I currently dive a 7mm XCEL Full Suit with an XCEL Infiniti Glideskin Hooded Vest, 7mm boots, and 5mm gloves. I’ve got a trip coming up next week to colder water (high 30’s/low 40’s F) and am looking for a way to get a little warmer but still avoid the dry suit plunge. My thought was to wear a 1mm skin but I’m not sure which to get. I’ve never worn a dive skin under a wetsuit before or at all for that matter. I’ve tried on the ScubaPro 0.5mm Profile Steamer (cause that was all the LDS had) and it fit well, but I was looking at the ScubaPro Hybrid 1mm Steamer as well. I think I’d like a 1mm skin over a 0.5mm skin. Any suggestions? I know the skin will make it a little easier to put the 7mm on, but am I crazy for thinking the skin could add warmth? Cheers.

 

[spectrum]

Industry terms like to get fuzzy on this one.

The term dive skin often refers to a lycra garment that is thermally worthless.

What you describe sounds like a thin wetsuit. Being another water exchange barrier it will help form a torturous path between you and the open water. The value will come from this labyrinth seal, not the thermal value of the .5 - 1 mm neoprene though that won't hurt either. If possible get the skin with the zipper opposing the full suit zipper.

If you can keep the glide-skin vest on your skin that would be best with the new skin over the vest and under the full suit.

Pete