Questions on Wet suit styles

[JahJahwarrior]

When I buy a new wetsuit, it will be a 1 piece, probably 5 mil. I'll also buy a hooded vest. And it will have ankle zippers. And the Henderson Gold Core sounds like a good suit.

I would encourage you to go 1 piece with a hooded vest. It will still give you extra coverage for your torso, and your head (which is where you lose alot of heat!), while still being quite easy to get in and out of.

Back zip or front zip wouldn't be important to me, that's what buddies are there for. If you were doing a type of diving, like tech or public safety, being able to get in fast and without any addition help would be key, but for rec diving, if you ever wanted help, just get your buddy to help. Usually my buddy, with a 1piece back zip, can get it just fine, sometimes he can't quite find the strap and I'll hand it to him.

Get a wetsuit that goes on easy but fits you tight, not too loose, so less water flow. You could potentially ask if you could buy one, and dive it once in some freshwater, and if you really hated it, return it minus a few percent or something, you know?

 

[PM-Performance]

I actually find the back zipper easier for some reason. The front zipper over my belly sucks sometimes. lol. Gotta suck in to zipper. The rear just goes easier.
I was a fan of the ancle zippers too, but the LSD stated about how they are a weak point if not maintained and even sometimes if maintained and can cause a leak spot.

I guess if I decide to do the hooded vest underneath the 1 piece, I should prob try it on first before deciding on my size of the 1 piece?

Damn this wetsuit stuff adds up. lol. Never knew it would be this expensive for the right exposure suit. Im now looking at $500 suits as compared to the under $200 suits I orig thought I would get. hahahaha

 

[NorCalDawg]

Doesn't have to be that much. Check out www.scubatoys.com, they have a 7mm Bare Velocity one piece going for like $220, probably gonna be the suit I go with as soon as I get some money together.

 

[PM-Performance]

The problem is finding someone local that I can try one on and see how it fits. That was my orig idea until I felt the silky gold core.

 

[NorCalDawg]

The problem is finding someone local that I can try one on and see how it fits. That was my orig idea until I felt the silky gold core.

Personally, I find that the Bare suits are the easiest to get in the right size without trying them on. It seems that Bare really wanted to make more sizes so a person can get the RIGHT size, rather than fit into a "almost right" suit. Check out their sizing chart and see if you fall into one of the categories. And if you want to try one on, go to Bare's website (www.bare-wetsuits.com) and they have a dealer locator.

BTW, just found a better deal on LeisurePro, they have a 7mm Bare Alpine full suit with hood for just $199, and it comes with free shipping.

 

[spectrum]

He said 1 piece I might be good for mid to lower 50's.

He's right, that's why I said to add a hooded vest.

Make sure this guy isn't suggesting according to what he has on the rack.

Pete

 

[PM-Performance]

Thats why I get sketchy on just going to one place and asking the questions. Of course they push whats on the shelf. lol

Do the Bare have any inner lining to make them slip on easier like the gold cores?
I guess if I do the Bare and the vest, I will still end up cheaper then the Gold Core over all. Then I can just add when the vest is needed. Never really thought of it that way.
Im gonna check into the Bare's more.
My problem with fitment is my belly. I have normal legs and arms and chest, but have a big belly. lol. So fitment is kind of hard. The one piece I tried on at the LDS was a 2xl. Usually the farmers I wear are 3xl because the top 1/2.
I wonder if I need to step up in size with the 1 piece with the vest?
Does the vest have to go on the inside?

 

[spectrum]

Thats why I get sketchy on just going to one place and asking the questions. Of course they push whats on the shelf. lol

Do the Bare have any inner lining to make them slip on easier like the gold cores?

Bare does not have a skin-in suit anymore. For a year or so they had the SGS (Silicone Glide Skin) series which were the same cuts as the Arctic line with a skin-in materials. Divetank.com is still trying to clean out inventory on these but what's left is limited to ladies and a few odd mens sizes.

I guess if I do the Bare and the vest, I will still end up cheaper then the Gold Core over all. Then I can just add when the vest is needed. Never really thought of it that way.

The "skin in" suits like the gold core have the benefit of clinging to your skin to minimize water movement. If you have a poor fit or wear a dive skin you have defeated the design. From what I've seen I'd rather be getting into a well fit nylon lined suit than a goldcore.

Im gonna check into the Bare's more.
My problem with fitment is my belly. I have normal legs and arms and chest, but have a big belly. lol. So fitment is kind of hard. The one piece I tried on at the LDS was a 2xl. Usually the farmers I wear are 3xl because the top 1/2.
I wonder if I need to step up in size with the 1 piece with the vest?

First thing is that brand by brand and style by style you need to start from scratch more or less. The sizes and fits are not universal which is good because people are not universal either. Henderson will do modifications to stock suits A full custom is also an option and the costs will be comparable. This is not something to cheap out on. you have a lot invested and a lot of enjoyment opportunity in this sport. An extra $200. is a drop in the bucket if you haven't figured that out yet. I do understand that sometimes we just need to make do, I just needed to add that perspective.

Does the vest have to go on the inside?

The step-in hooded vests are worn outside of the fullsuit. They are designed to take into account the extra bulk of the fullsuit layer underneath so you usually end up with the same size. There are lighter waist up hooded "chicken" vests that are worn under but they are not what you need to get the most out of a fullsuit configuration.

Pete

 

[PM-Performance]

thanks for all the info guys. i deffinately appreciate it.