Sharkskin Men's Chillproof Titanium Long Sleeve Full Zip

[lowwall]

so my son gets really cold when diving - was thinking maybe a sharkskin but I see someone says they aren't as warm as they claim - anything else that helps keep you warm?

A wetsuit.

 

[Becca65]

well, he has a wet suit - was hoping for something a little easier to travel with/put on etc. in warmish water where he still gets cold

 

[chillyinCanada]

I have worn mine both over and under my wetsuit. Very successful and worked perfectly either way, so I decided to stay with the wearing over my suit because it's easier to don everything that way.

 

[lowwall]

well, he has a wet suit - was hoping for something a little easier to travel with/put on etc. in warmish water where he still gets cold

If you want to stick with neoprene, a shorty with a full front zip is easy to get into and noticeably more compact than a full suit. If just a little bit of warmth is needed, then one of the zippered watersports vests is inexpensive and very compact. You can pair it with neoprene pants for better coverage and a little extra warmth. They are also good as an underlayer if your existing suit isn't quite warm enough.

Here's some examples:
max warmth in a shorty - Pinnacle Escape 5mm Shorty
Amazon - Lemorecn Mens 3mm neoprene vest
Amazon - search results for "neoprene mens pants"

I use one of these 3/4 suits. It's not that much smaller than a full suit. but is really easy to get into. Start the zipper a couple of inches and just step in. It comes in 3mm, 5mm and 7mm. You can pair it with one of the 1.5mm neoprene pants for full coverage in warmer water or a farmer john (looks like bib overalls, but go under the top) for colder water.

Henderson Thermoprene Jacket

Divers seeking a great value will appreciate Thermoprene's balance of performance and price. The material combination delivers greater flexibility and improved features not found in standard neoprene...

www.scuba.com

There's a cheaper version as well:

Neosport by Henderson waterman

Waterman" A name given to a person who works or spend his life on, in or around the water, NeoSport couldn't think of a better name for their new 3mm Jacket. With its Trident Waterman Logo, this suit...

www.scuba.com

 

[thomschoon]

well, he has a wet suit - was hoping for something a little easier to travel with/put on etc. in warmish water where he still gets cold

I find that my Sharkskin is a little warmer then my 3mm wetsuit, I wear rash wear under it and have been comfortable in 68-69 water. It drys quickly if you turn it inside out so the fleece side is exposed, easy to pack for travel as well. I use it instead of a 3 & 5 mm wetsuits, and go dry if colder.

 

[NickMeKnot]

Just purchased a SharkSkin T2 Jacket for 80-81 degree diving (2 hours). Was FREEZING about 1/2 way thru the dive. Their claim that it's equivalent to a 4-5mm neoprene wetsuit doesn't fly in my opinion. It's more like a 2-3mm. And the Chillproof is more like a 1-2mm wetsuit. Just be aware, they are NOT was warm as they claim.

That said, it's still a nice suit and very flexible with almost no bouyance to compensate for.

Is it possible you bought a size that was a bit too big for you? If not quite snug in the water, you will be colder.

 

[Ishkrbibbl]

I know someone that has a Henderson ML Shorty for sale - never been in the water...

 

[autrichon gris]

I am sometimes diving in no less than 26°C water with 2 to 3 softshell layers, and that's fine, 3 times a day, 6 days of diving.

First layer is polyurethan surf shirt long sleeves, than sharkskin tshirt, than titanium Sharkskin vest. Bottom first layer is polyurethan tights (North face or Helly Hansen), than 2nd layer Lavacore softshell.

With only one Sharkskin layer, 29°C is a minimum for me.

(NB: Never seen anybody else on the dive sites to try to dive with two layers of Sharsksin... )