Question about vests and warmers.

[MikeM_scuba]

Anybody using vest or warmer? Does it work? I need a little extra layer for my 3mm for liveaboard (6 days - 24 -26 dives) in Belize.
Any suggestions?

 

[spectrum]

A 3mm vest is a magnificent accessory to a a full suit of any thickness. The extra rubber will help with warmth but mainly the vest will form a labyrinth seal so that zipper seepage never reaches you directly
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/product_details.aspx?pid=003101&dept_id=66

The next step is a hooded vest hich gives good head protection and essentially removes the neck opening from the heat loss equation. I suspect this may be a bit much for Beliize but I don't really know.
http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/product_details.aspx?pid=003106&dept_id=65

The head can be a great heat loss however so if you choose not to go with a hooded vest but are thermally challenged a beanie would be a great add-on.

Pete

 

[H2Andy]

i have a 3mm vest/hood combo that is great. the hood is the best part

if you add neoprene to your wetsuit (i.e. by wearing extra layers) that will help you conserve heat, particularly in key areas (head, chest, armpits, crotch)

 

[dannobee]

I'll second Andy's hooded vest suggestion. You could always pull back the hood if you get too warm. I've been cold on "tropical" dives and always carry a hooded vest, just in case.

 

[spectrum]

FWIW my 3mm hooded vest is 3.5 pounds buoyant, remember to add the weight.

Pete

 

[skdvr]

Do you guys wear your hooded vest over or under your wetsuit???

Thanks
Phil

 

[spectrum]

The hooded (or not hooded) vest that stops at the waist (see post #2) is supposed to be worn under the full suit so that it is not subject to direct flushing and it is a layer under a layer. Since it is usually an unlined "skin" interior it wants to cling and seal to your torso. Some divers do wear it on top but I can't imagine it bieng as effective.

A hooded step-in vest is worn over a full suit but that's way beyond the scope of your trip. http://www.bare-wetsuits.com/product_details.aspx?pid=003128&dept_id=102

Pete

 

[ronrosa]

I understand the benefits of wearing a hooded vest under the wetsuit, but if your suit is already snug as it should be, is there enough room for another 2 or 3mm of neoprene underneath it ?

 

[Bob3]

I understand the benefits of wearing a hooded vest under the wetsuit, but if your suit is already snug as it should be, is there enough room for another 2 or 3mm of neoprene underneath it ?

In most instances, yes, especially considering its going under a 3mm.
A little bit of snugness is OK anyway (though your mileage may vary), it would be more objectionable if it were in a joint area (arms/legs).
Hooded vests are great, especially the lighter weight ones around 2mm.

 

[spectrum]

I understand the benefits of wearing a hooded vest under the wetsuit, but if your suit is already snug as it should be, is there enough room for another 2 or 3mm of neoprene underneath it ?

Probably. It's a thin garment and since it's an open cut at the armpit there is very little restriction. If the fit is so close that adding a 2-3 mm vest inhibits on your breathing then then fit was borderline. It equates to aboiut an extra 3/4 of stretch when closing the zipper. Depending on the flexibility of the suit in question, the idiividual and the precise fit there will be a few cases where it's a problem.

I wear mine under my 3,5 and 7mm suits which I consider to be good fits with no issues.

As always trying it out at the dive shop is ideal.

Pete