Weezle Extreme vs. 400G Thinsulate?

[metridium]

Bob3 wrote...
I've sold 400gm Arctic Thinsulate (Viking) to guys in Alaska & they complain about it being too warm.

That's what I'd heard about 400G, so that's why first I went with the 200G and varying layers of polypro. That approach served me well for rec until I started 1:00+ exposures at 42-45F.

Instead of rushing into a new undersuit, I think I'll see how the addition of DC drygloves and 400G booties changes the equation first.

 

[MissYoungDiver]

Hi, I just purchased a dry suit and am in the process of looking for undergarments. I tried on a weezle compact which felt comfortable, yet only diving it will tell. Of, course I am more interested in finding (gently used) a Weezle Extreme Plus or a 400g Artic Thinsulate equivalent. The feet are important though, and I would want the same thermal protection there as on the rest of the suit.

Pardon my ignorance on the topic, but what is PNW? And how could an undergarment be a contributing factor to a diving accident? Thanks for your helpful responses and feedback.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

PNW= Pacific Northwest. Too tight of an undergarment could restrict movement. Too big and it may bunch up in the wrong places and again restrict movement or allow air to be trapped in places where it may not be easy top get rid of. Too much air could cause an uncontrolled ascent. These are just off the top of mt head. Given more time I could probavly think of some other things in the increased task loading vein.

 

[rjack321]

Pardon my ignorance on the topic, but what is PNW? And how could an undergarment be a contributing factor to a diving accident? Thanks for your helpful responses and feedback.

The weezle has a very thin, windproof, nylon outer shell which is not quilted down to the remainder of the suit. The rumor was that this windproof outer material clogged the shoulder dump valve and led to an uncontrolled ascent with 1+ hr deco obligation remaining. This was a solo rebreather dive.

The instructor/diver died. Happened about 3 years ago.

I have not seen the dump valve in question, nor the suit. But this is the story. Oh and I heard its from a friend of the deceased who had also used a weezle up to that point. So never considered it a premeditated anti-weezle story, YMMV

 

[omar]

I had the weezle extreme plus and sold it on ebay after the suit sat in my closet for a couple of years unused. I sold it because it did not keep me as warm as a 300g thinsulate garment I have and it was horrible if it got wet. I have had 3 floods, two with the weezle and one with the thinsulate. I found that the weezle needed significant loft to keep me warm and I do not dive with excessive air in the dry suit.

When I have long exposures I have been using an electric thinsulate vest with the 300g. In case of a flood the vest just quits working and it still retains the wonderful thinsulate properties. This is the best thing yet.

As far as the PNW diver - He was diving with his fiancé, not solo. In addition there was the issue of inadequate emergency response, both in water on the divers part and out of water at the dock and hospital.

 

[rjack321]

As far as the PNW diver - He was diving with his fiancé, not solo. In addition there was the issue of inadequate emergency response, both in water on the divers part and out of water at the dock and hospital.

I'm not sure we're talking about the same incident???

 

[omar]

I'm not sure we're talking about the same incident???

GW...

 

[cmalinowski]

I have a wzl x+. It is warm... there is no doubt about that. But I hate--hate--the way it traps air and slows my dump valve. That said, that is my problem and that may not apply to you. I am going with fleece (320gX2) and I love the quick dump and lack of a need to keep it so lofted.

That's me. I haven't dove 400g thinsulate, but I know people who do who like it a lot. I may keep the weezle because it is so darned comfortable outside of diving

Chris