Need exposure protection recommendation--an interesting case...

[austinthor]

OK, here's my conundrum...I am female, 5'11" tall, 135 pounds and have about 11% body fat (that's significant because I have almost no natural insulation). I just wrapped up a dive trip to Cozumel and dove with Blue XT Sea (love them!), so our dives were long (between 65 and 80 minutes) and I dove an average of 3 times per day (4 times on 2 days). I need to mention my wetsuit does have some ill-fitting arms and some gapping underwater. On the first day, I started out with my 3mm O'Neill wetsuit and was frigid after my first dive, so I added a 3mm Henderson hat. On the second day I added a 3mm shorty *over* my 3mm wetsuit and put the hat on after about 25 minutes...if I put the hat on any sooner I got hot. For my 2 night dives I added a 3mm Henderson vest *under* my 3mm O'Neill wetsuit and the 3mm shorty on top of all of that. I know you are: 1) In disbelief that I wore so much clothing in Cozumel and 2) Laughing hysterically by now. It's OK... The 3rd day I tried the 3mm vest/3mm wetsuit/3mm shorty combination (during the day) but it was *way* too hot. I took the vest off and went back to the 3mm wetsuit and 3mm shorty. The 4th day I left the vest out of the mix as well. So where does this leave me?...I need a new wetsuit. I don't want to die sweating in a 5mm wetsuit in the tropics, so Christi from Blue XT Sea recommended a 3mm Pinnacle...merino wool lined. I know the Pinnacles have better seals and protection to begin with, and with the wool I'll get a bit of added protection without the bulk of a 5mm suit. If I have a vest and the hat plus the 3mm merino lined Pinnacle I think I'll be set. What's your opinion/guidance/advice? Thanks!!!!!!! Heidi

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Heidi, I have the Pinnacle 3 mil merino elastoprene suit. Extremely flexible and well made. I have a little more body fat than you(seriously now just a little, my wife says -yeah right!) but as an instructor I tend to do twice as many dives a day as the people I teach. Therefore I do tend to chill. All I can say is my 3 mil is nearly as warm as my 5 mil BARE velocity. I don't recommend anything to anyone I would not use my self. This suit I recommend. It is well made, comfortable, and very flexible. ANd with Pinnacle having like 16 stock sizes you should be able to get a good fit. This jumped out at me early in your post. No wetsuit will do what it should if it does not fit right. Again I recommend this suit as well. I dove it in Bonaire doing sometimes 5 dives a day of nearly an hour each time. No problems. Go for it!

 

[SteveAD]

sounds like you might be a candidate for a warm water drysuit.

 

[micklock]

maybe a DUI 30/30.

 

[salibandy]

Get a custom fitting suit. You won't regret it. Try Elios Sub.

 

[TSandM]

I'm not as tall as you are, but I don't have much natural insulation, either, and I get cold easily. I've gone to diving a 5 mil suit EVERYWHERE, with a 2 mil hooded vest if the water is below 80 degrees. I'm warmer in the water, and even nicer, I don't shiver on the boat any more.

 

[austinthor]

Heidi, I have the Pinnacle 3 mil merino elastoprene suit. Extremely flexible and well made. I have a little more body fat than you(seriously now just a little, my wife says -yeah right!) but as an instructor I tend to do twice as many dives a day as the people I teach. Therefore I do tend to chill. All I can say is my 3 mil is nearly as warm as my 5 mil BARE velocity. I don't recommend anything to anyone I would not use my self. This suit I recommend. It is well made, comfortable, and very flexible. ANd with Pinnacle having like 16 stock sizes you should be able to get a good fit. This jumped out at me early in your post. No wetsuit will do what it should if it does not fit right. Again I recommend this suit as well. I dove it in Bonaire doing sometimes 5 dives a day of nearly an hour each time. No problems. Go for it!

Jim.
Thanks much for your recommendation and feedback on this suit. It looks like I'll be a M--Tall, but the merino 3mm doesn't come in this size. Hmmm...I'll give Pinnacle a call tomorrow. Or, as another person recommended I may have to do a custom suit...
All My Best,
Heidi

 

[austinthor]

Get a custom fitting suit. You won't regret it. Try Elios Sub.

Thanks much! I'll look into this option too. Do you own a custom suit?

 

[austinthor]

I'm not as tall as you are, but I don't have much natural insulation, either, and I get cold easily. I've gone to diving a 5 mil suit EVERYWHERE, with a 2 mil hooded vest if the water is below 80 degrees. I'm warmer in the water, and even nicer, I don't shiver on the boat any more.

How would you comment on the bulk of the 5mm vs. the 3mm? I'm thinking I might find that extra bulk really irritating. I don't suit up long before the dive site (maybe 2-3 minutes) and I always remove my suit completely after each dive so I can warm up. Even sitting 2-3 minutes in a 3mm suit plus a 3mm shorty was really uncomfortable. What are your thoughts/comments about your 5mm...and what brand do you have? Thanks for the guidance!
Heidi

 

[austinthor]

sounds like you might be a candidate for a warm water drysuit.

Thanks! I'm going to look into a warm water drysuit too.
Heidi