thinking about getting a new wetsuit

[wetb4igetinthewater]

SP, Bare, and Henderson are all great suits. Might want to think about getting a hooded vest as well if you start getting cold after days of diving.

Or just a good hood. I've learned to take my K-01 with me.

 

[-JD-]

are zippered arms/legs overkill for a 3mm? I'm asking because it seems like very few have them (AFAIK just the Scubapro Definition that I mentioned earlier, which is list price $299 (ouch).

Body type may play a significant role in your selection.

I believe the SP suits are cut very slender all the way through. IME If you are somewhat muscular or broader through the chest/shoulders, you may find it difficult to find a matching (common) size. I bought a SubGear (value rebrand of SP) Definition. It had a good fit through the legs & hips, but I couldn't get even remotely close to get it over my arms & chest. Fortunately it fit my son with some room to grow.

I got a Waterproof W3 3.5mm with seals and zips at both ankles and wrists and I am very happy with it. The current "equivalent" is the W5, but you may find a leftover W3 out there. Downside is it is going to list for more than $299 ...

 

[Robert H. Diver]

Or just a good hood. I've learned to take my K-01 with me.

I generally always wear a hood, but if he’s going to be getting a thinner wetsuit, wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a vest as well, to help insulate the core.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I generally always wear a hood, but if he’s going to be getting a thinner wetsuit, wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a vest as well, to help insulate the core.

I'd go for a thicker wetsuit if that was the case. I will admit that I've never tried a hood with a vest. Not sure how comfortable that would be with my existing wetsuit. A K-01 is probably the warmest hood on the market, and we all know we lose a lot of heat from our heads.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

I'd go for a thicker wetsuit if that was the case. I will admit that I've never tried a hood with a vest. Not sure how comfortable that would be with my existing wetsuit. A K-01 is probably the warmest hood on the market, and we all know we lose a lot of heat from our heads.

OP said “ouch” to a $299 wetsuit…so idk if he’s going to get a thicker quality wetsuit…I’ve never used a K-01 but I’ve heard they’re great. I have a waterproof 7/5 and 5/3. They fit me perfectly. Might try a K-01 one day.

 

[ontdiver]

@jsyteng : You might want to reach out to the dive operator in Palau to see what they have for rental suits. This might solve your immediate problem of choosing a suit too quickly and possibly not getting what you want, particularly if $299 is pushing your budget. The other problem is trying to pick and choose from the good advice in this space. In a perfect world your LDS would carry every brand on the market and allow you to try them out in their custom dive pool..