So how do you know when its time for a new wetsuit?

[spectrum]

Setting aside wear , vanity and loss of fit which are pretty tangible it comes down to loss of insulation.

There's nothing hard and fast here and even as a personal experience you can always wonder if the suit or your metabolism is changing. I certainly wouldn't condemn a suit based on a dive, you may have gone in with low thermal reserves.

When I have seen a dive count it has been between 209 - 300. In that window seasoned divers note that the suit has lost performance and that a new suit made a big difference. This will vary with a slew of things such as original suit quality, storage and how deep the suit has repeatedly gone.

Pete

 

[F106A]

When it no longer does what you want it to do -

 

[Firediver32]

When you put the old one on, and it falls back to the floor...... then its time for a new one

 

[DiveMaven]

When you notice that your 3mm Hyperstretch is the same thickness as a 0.5 microprene!!

 

[BabyDuck]

when your buddies make cracks about your 'sunday wet suit' because it's so holey...

i'm looking at *you*, jean...

 

[meierdierck]

according to my girlfriend, when the color goes out of style,

 

[MConnelly2]

When the neoprene isn't holding the AquaSeal together any more...

 

[Nevis Diver]

My Scubapro 3 mil seems a bit compressed and the joint areas remain wrinkled even now after not using it for months. I bought a Mares trilastic 3-5-3 which had an acceptable fit in the store but when it got wet the legs were 3-4" too long. It still fits fine around the shoulders, chest and waist, but I have to fold it between my knees and ankles.

Wish I could find out more about the quality of the neoprene each manufacturer uses so I could make an intelligent purchase for my next one.

 

[D_B]

...

Wish I could find out more about the quality of the neoprene each manufacturer uses so I could make an intelligent purchase for my next one.

here you go ...
http://www.wetwear.com/images/chamber-left.jpg

This is from the Wetware site .. they have very good info on types of wetsuit materials and why Rubatex is more costly, but superior ... Wetwear - Why we only use Rubatex

looks to be almost indestructible .. You can ask Pete (NetDoc) about his.
if I do get another 7mm wetsuit (drysuit now) it will be one of theirs

 

[The Kraken]

When the other divers on the dive boat start putting dollar bills in you mask at the end of the dives and saying, "God bless . . ."



the K