Warm Water Wetsuit Alternatives & Options

[Dave616]

I am looking for options or alternatives to wearing a Full Wetsuit or a Shorty. This is for warm water diving between 80-84 degrees F. I'm not looking for lightweight Lycra/Spandex full suits. I have looked at 4th Element Thermocline products, but I do not want to pay $150 for a shirt. I have considered a 1.5mm full suit like the Pinnacle Shadow 2. I have also considered wearing a thick neoprene long sleeve rash guard and Highland Pocket Shorts. It would be nice to have as much protection as possible but without getting too warm.
I would like to keep the thickness under 3mm and the cost under $200.

Does anyone travel with multiple pieces of dive attire?

Are there any alternatives to using a 3mm Full Wetsuit or Shorty?

 

[ronbeau]

I am looking for options or alternatives to wearing a Full Wetsuit or a Shorty. This is for warm water diving between 80-84 degrees F. I'm not looking for lightweight Lycra/Spandex full suits. I have looked at 4th Element Thermocline products, but I do not want to pay $150 for a shirt. I have considered a 1.5mm full suit like the Pinnacle Shadow 2. I have also considered wearing a thick neoprene long sleeve rash guard and Highland Pocket Shorts. It would be nice to have as much protection as possible but without getting too warm.
I would like to keep the thickness under 3mm and the cost under $200.

Does anyone travel with multiple pieces of dive attire?

Are there any alternatives to using a 3mm Full Wetsuit or Shorty?

I wear a Bare 1 mm neoprene dive skin for all of my Caribbean diving. I usually dive in the Caribbean during the summer. I believe I cost me about $100. I have found it very adequate. I always bring along a shorty just in case but it has not come out of the suitcase yet

The link shown below is one I am referring to

Cost $107.95

Bare 1mm Sport Full Men's Jumpsuit

 

[vladimir]

Does anyone travel with multiple pieces of dive attire? Are there any alternatives to using a 3mm Full Wetsuit or Shorty?

Yes, I usually bring a 3mm and skin, both of which you've ruled out. Sometimes I bring a 1mm neoprene suit by Henderson. This one is "physique enhancing," so you'll look good on the boat, and only costs $65. I used to layer a full skin and a shorty--that may work for you as well.

 

[tbone1004]

That'd be a bathing suit and underarmour T-shirt... on a good day, bathing suit on a bad day, and bathing suit and normal tshirt on a normal day...

Neoprene is a pain in the hot summer and unless I'm doing long deco, it's not worth it. Deco dives get a 3mm shorty or drysuit. I travel with a drysuit and a 5mm usually. If I dive with and it's too warm for the 5mm, I don't zip it. With the Nomad or Transpac it doesn't matter, not sure I'd do it with a steel plate without a pad back there

 

[rongoodman]

In those temps I use a 3mm full suit and have never gotten too warm.

 

[Dave616]

Thanks for all the info so far. I came across the Bare 3/2 Velocity Full when I was looking at the Bare 1mm.

I'm also thinking about getting a 1mm full with a 2-3mm Vest like this.

 

[Downing]

I'm fairly warm-blooded so in those temperatures I wear either just a bathing suit/t-shirt or my 3mm Henderson shorty. Often start the day with the former and end it with the latter unless I'm going particularly deep on the first dive in which case I'll wear the shorty all day.

I'd cook in a full 1mm suit with a 3mm vest at 80-84F, but there's no arguing comfort. If you're cold, you're cold and vice-versa.

My wife wears a Harvey 1mm full suit on every dive in those temps and loves it. Compared to me, she's cold-blooded (in oh so many ways ) but this seems to work well for her. That vest is relatively inexpensive and won't take up much room in your bag so I say go for it!

 

[Dirty-Dog]

I'm also fairly warm blooded, but I do like to cover skin for protection from accidental contact and/or bites. I wear a Henderson Neo Sport lycra skin (which is less than $30). If I need warmth, I layer either a 3mm or 5mm over that.

 

[Damselfish]

I wear a 1mm for all my warm water diving. I hate feeling constrained or too warm and I don't find the 1mm to be a problem. They're compact enough I usually take along 2 so I can always have a dryish one. I also take along a 3mm vest in case I need something more.

 

[iztok]

Are there any alternatives to using a 3mm Full Wetsuit or Shorty?

Drysuit.