staying warm on a budget

[n3rdftw]

i dive primarily in tropical water, so I have a 3/2mm Full Wetsuit for most of my trips etc.

Its also perfect for diving in Texas from April to October.

However, I'm starting to get cold when I go dive in 70/60ish water, and I was wondering what would be the most cost efficient way to warm up.

I was thinking that adding a 3mm hooded vest and 3mm gloves would give me the proper coverage for 99% of the conditions down to about 50 or 60 degrees, or should I go spring for a full 7/5mm wetsuit?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Find a used or bargain price drysuit. Anything under 72 degrees and I'm diving dry. Especially if the air temps are lower. Evaporative cooling will mess you up.

 

[n3rdftw]

after poking around craiglist, I'm seeing entry level dry suits for 800ish ... what kinds of prices and types of drysuits should I be looking at? 800 is still a bit out of my range

 

[Wolfie]

I get cold as well with 3/2 in 71. That's with a hood. Go thick with hood gloves and boots. You're putting them on because your cold. Get the 7 mil accessories and if that doesn't work go to the 7/5 full suit of which you will already have the extras. FWIW I dive 7 mill booties in caymans 82 deg water. If you go two piece 7/5 that would give you more options and take you to the mid 50s. A dry suit can get a little sweaty and uncomfortable in water over 68. IMHO if you're looking at 60 -70 water get a better wetsuit with hood glove boot. If you're talking sometimes 67-70 get the thicker hood boots gloves and see if that's good enough for you. If your looking to regularly go into the 50s, just get a drysuit and worry about paying for it later.

 

[spectrum]

The 3/2 has no place in your solution.

The good news is that if 50F is your bottom end a good 7/7 wetsuit should do the trick. That's 7mm with 2X on your core. Much more here. You will also need heavy boots and 5mm gloves.

A 5mm may be nice in between but it won't get many people to 50F comfortably.


Pete

 

[Tortuga68]

Different people have different tolerances for cold... for me a 5mm steamer is only good for 70F for multiple dives, and then only with a 3mm hooded vest underneath.

I have a 3/2mm Full Wetsuit... I'm starting to get cold when I go dive in 70/60ish water...

For you, a hooded shorty oversuit may be ok down to 60 or less, on top of your 3/2. Scubapro make them in 5 and 7mm although they're not sold in all markets.

It gives your more flexibility (I wear mine on it's own sometimes) & saves some money. Only one way to tell if it works for you though.

 

[n3rdftw]

thanks!

i decided to just get a ton of random pieces via amazon prime... ship back the items uncomfortable or unnecessary as needed