Wet Suit for Monterey?

[JTDivers]

Another suit you might want to consider is the Oneal J-Series. I am sure you could find one used for a reasonable price. I have been diving my since 2004 and have been down to 41 degree in a local lake when doing a January 1st dive. 7 mil with dual core with an attached hood, and welded seams. I have been very happy with its performance. Just my .02 cents

 

[Ouvea]

You're going have a very a limited choice with a budget of $250.00. Blue Water Aquatics in Mountain View is selling the Pinnacle Cruiser wetsuit 7/5mm one piece for $195.00. You'll just be slightly over budget with a hood. If you don't get cold quickly, you could squeeze by with only a hood but I think you will need a hooded vest.

Also Aquatics Discovery in Santa Clara is selling the H20 Coronado 7mm Hooded wetsuit for $200.00. I tried one of their rental units and did find it easy to don. It didn't fit properly so I can't give you accurate feedback on the suit. Although the lack of reinforcement on the inner seams gives me pause.

If you looked on line, you should find a hose of one piece wetsuits for under $250.00. Bare makes good wetsuits at an economical price. Difficult to know how it fits though.

Hope this helps.
Claude

 

[kathydee]

What mm hood/vest are you all using? Sorry for the hijack!

 

[Hepcat62]

Kathy - I was hoping to meet you (and a few other new folks) at the NorCal meet-and-greet, but sadly couldn't make it due to conflicts at work. Next time for sure!

Before I switched to a drysuit, I dove a Scubapro Everflex 7/5mm one-piece, with their 5/3mm hooded vest. That gave me 10mm on the core, 5 on the head, and 5 on the arms/legs. It is a very comfortable suit to move around in, and I didn't get too cold (a bit chilly on slow moving dives though). It's probably the thinnest wet suit I would be willing to dive in Monterey with though, and I'm not a tremendously cold-sensitive person.

 

[kathydee]

Kathy - I was hoping to meet you (and a few other new folks) at the NorCal meet-and-greet, but sadly couldn't make it due to conflicts at work. Next time for sure!

Before I switched to a drysuit, I dove a Scubapro Everflex 7/5mm one-piece, with their 5/3mm hooded vest. That gave me 10mm on the core, 5 on the head, and 5 on the arms/legs. It is a very comfortable suit to move around in, and I didn't get too cold (a bit chilly on slow moving dives though). It's probably the thinnest wet suit I would be willing to dive in Monterey with though, and I'm not a tremendously cold-sensitive person.

Howdy neighbor! 1ft vis ya didn't miss much! Hopefully we'll meet soon! I have a 5mm Everflex (love it!) & nearly froze in Fla's 72F water! 7/5 brrr !

Still working the exposure suit out for Monterey, but got some great ideas & excited to join our local scene soon!

 

[eric gundrum]

Also Aquatics Discovery in Santa Clara...

I wasn't aware of this shop. Is it new?

Aquatic Discovery, 414 Martin Ave 95050 - Google Maps

 

[kathydee]

I went wetsuit shopping today.

FYI Aquarian in San Carlos had the Womens Oneil J series 7000 7mm (not semi dry) with hood & built in core heater for 1/2 price! Unfortunately they didn't have my size ;-(. Might be worthwhile calling to see if they have the men;s model. Think it was 50% off $350?

 

[mikemill]

I'm currently using a 7mm wetsuit with a 3mm vest/hood. The only time I've felt cold is during a 48 degree lobos dive. A few times I've had a "hmm this water is cool" feeling while diving. Except for two days, I have to strip off the vest/hood between dives or I'll over heat during the SI. And as those who I've dove with can tell ya, as soon as I suit up I'm making a bee line for the water.

 

[Ouvea]

I wasn't aware of this shop. Is it new?

Aquatic Discovery, 414 Martin Ave 95050 - Google Maps

I believe it's been opened for 1-2 years. I happened to see it when I parked my car the SJ International long term parking.

There's another dive shop called Pacific Coast Divers near Bailey Avenue in South San Jose/Morgan Hill area. It's in the middle of the fields close to a cluster of homes. It's an unusual place for a scuba shop.

Claude

 

[dannobee]

I went wetsuit shopping today.

FYI Aquarian in San Carlos had the Womens Oneil J series 7000 7mm (not semi dry) with hood & built in core heater for 1/2 price! Unfortunately they didn't have my size ;-(. Might be worthwhile calling to see if they have the men;s model. Think it was 50% off $350?

DUI TLS 350 drysuit small womens with undergarment

If you're like the vast majority of local divers, you'll be happier in one of these. I take my drysuit everywhere the water is colder than about 72 degrees.

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