wet suit needs

[jrdivagrl]

hi. I was wondering if there is a type of wetsuit i can use in pretty cold weather that is one piece? I usually dive in La jolla and in New england. I will be diving in October in Dutch Springs PA and I was wondering if there is a one piece wetsuit i can use that is comfy and not tooo expensive!

thanks!

 

[northcoast_diver]

hi. I was wondering if there is a type of wetsuit i can use in pretty cold weather that is one piece? I usually dive in La jolla and in New england. I will be diving in October in Dutch Springs PA and I was wondering if there is a one piece wetsuit i can use that is comfy and not tooo expensive!

thanks!

You can get away with a 7mm one-piece full wetsuit in La Jolla Calif, if you have some meat on your bones and not totally thin. I cannot speak for the other coast.

 

[AtomicWalrus]

hi. I was wondering if there is a type of wetsuit i can use in pretty cold weather that is one piece? I usually dive in La jolla and in New england. I will be diving in October in Dutch Springs PA and I was wondering if there is a one piece wetsuit i can use that is comfy and not tooo expensive!

thanks!

You might try the Bare Arctic 7 mm with integrated hood, but I suspect that you'd be a lot more comfortable in a 2-piece 7 mm suit. The trick with wearing a wetsuit in cold weather is to look after yourself on the surface - get out of that wet suit ASAP, get on some dry, warm clothes, and drink something warm. Most wetsuit divers I've seen up here can cope with diving in 46°F water in a 2-piece 7 mm suit, but they get hypothermic very easily once they're out of the water in 46°F air temperatures, especially with wind.

Good luck!

 

[hoopa]

i would get a main one piece and then when in england add a vest/hood or shortie over that full suit..... Ill tell you have just gone through the wetsuit suffle and i can tell you its a pain the arse to find one that is both comfortable and warm and easy to put on-- but for me -- MY Henderson hyper stretch does just that... Its a joke how comofortable that thing is-- and it goes on sooooo easy its incredible... I would use that for your dives in la jolla( i was just there a week ago) and when you go to New England add a hyperstretch vest or even a hyperstretch shortie--- since these things stretch so well-- you can get away with a shortie and a full suit and STILL be comfortable.... Goodluck


ps-- im just a guy offering my 2cents-- no sales person here

 

[RonDawg]

I do the same as hoopa (one piece 7mm with a hooded 7mm vest) except I use the Bare Arctic. This setup has kept me warm into the low 50's. For somewhat warmer temps I omit the hooded vest and use a separate 3mm hood instead.

The disadvantage to using this much neoprene, aside from the "Michelin Man" sensation, is the extra weight that it requires...10 lbs in my case.

Atomic Walrus is correct, keeping yourself warm during the surface interval is key to staying warm during the dive.

 

[sleepyhead]

Hi
I don't know about diving in your area. I dive in Winnipeg, aka Winterpeg.. I dive in a lake close by at 8 degrees in a 2 piece 7mm suit. It was cold especially on a windy day due to the winds. All my instructors dive in their dry suits therefore i am considering buying that.

I would recommend renting till you can get a drysuit or you could work out a deal with your LDS. Good luck and don't freeze yourself.

 

[Desa]

I agree with hoopa. I dive dry if the temp is below about 60. between 60 and 75 I use my 7-mil, one piece, Henderson Hyperstretch. Its like wearing a pair of comfy pajamas. I honestly don't think it is as warm as other 7 mils, but the fact that it is so stretchy you can add other layers and not feel "over bulked" makes up for lack of warmth.

The other advantage to the hyperstretch is the fact that you can loose or gain 20 pounds during the season, and it still fits you like a glove.

Eventually, you will want to go dry, but until then there is no need to be miserable, so invest in something warm and comfortable. Just my 2psi worth

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

i would get a main one piece and then when in england add a vest/hood or shortie over that full suit.....

I've got a 7mm two piece (john and jacket) that I've been using for several years and I'm thinking of replacing it. Several years ago I saw a wetsuit advertised that consisted of a full suit worn over a shorty. This approach seems logical to me, as all the openings could be skin-tight.

On my step-thru jacket the leg openings are sized to go over the john, and would be too loose if I tried to wear it seperately. It seems to me that a shorty worn over a one-piece would have this same problem.

If the one-piece is sized to go over the shorty, then mid-section might be a little loose, but the the arm and leg openings on both would be tight. It seems to me that this would be preferable to prevent water exchange, especially if you wanted the option of wearing 'em seperately.

So, I'm thinking of getting a one-piece with hood and a shorty to wear UNDER it. Am I missing something here?

 

[mossym]

i have a henderson hyperstretch 5/7 one piece, with a 7mm vest with hood for under it, fits great..so comfortable, and very warm..

3dent, with the shorty you're really only getting an extra bit of coverage on your ***, why not just get the vest with hood for under the one piece?