Wetsuit for December Cozumel Trip

[Dogbowl]

In December I'll take a 3MM full suit and a tropic beanie any day over a 5MM-7MM suit without the beanie. For years I never wanted a beanie... Those things are for women to keep their hair up! That was until I got chilled on a windy December trip a few years ago and noticed those wearing beanies were perfectly comfortable. I scoured the Island for one and none to be found. All that could be found were full hoods which squeeze my fat head, screw with my mask, and I just downright hate.

Get a tropic Beanie in the 3MM range and experience the difference. I'll never dive without it again. Umm... The DM's who strap on the hoods and beanies December-March know what they are doing! They say 90% of your heat is lost through your head and since wearing my beanie I believe it is ABSOLUTELY true.

I love my beanie. Someone in my drysuit class saw me wearing it (in the pool) and bought one from the dive shop the next day. It looks stupid on but it's so functional.

 

[deepsea21]

I love my beanie. Someone in my drysuit class saw me wearing it (in the pool) and bought one from the dive shop the next day. It looks stupid on but it's so functional.

During our first 12 years of diving, all UW photos taken of me show me bare-headed. Until I die (unless I am diving in 83+ degree water) every future photo will show me wearing my beanie. NUF SAID!

 

[gopbroek]

The other big factor is how aggressive a dive schedule you plan to do. If you plan to max out your diving every day even in summer you will lose core temp after a few days. I always wear a full 3MM suite (crushed out to 1.5 MM) with a light hood year round and even in 85F water can feel a chill after a week of diving (about 25Hrs of diving). Last year I got a new true 3MM suit for winter diving and this year I have a Lavacore on my Xmas list

 

[Lorenzoid]

Can someone point me to the beanie you're talking about? I have been using The Scap. Interested in other options, though.

 

[imoto]

This was on another thread.

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-xssb/xs-scuba-2mm-tropic-beanie

I found the beanie to be a bit small as measured for my head, but other than that it worked well for my recent trip

 

[flyboy08]

I'd want a non neoprene one.....I'll research tomorrow

I'm heading to the shop tomorrow to check out the lavacore and or sharkskin suits....I just may purchase the pants to wear with my array of rash shirts....maybe they make a beanie too?

Interestingly I live near Leisurepro during the week, and Prime scuba on weekends.....

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

I think the biggest factors are the water temp, the amount of body fat on you and how long your dives are. Last week, the water temps were between 81-83 degrees depending on who's computer you looked at. Our boat had dives ranging from 70 -90 minutes. Most people wore a 3mil, some with a chest layer underneath. The lightest covering was a swimsuit and a upper body 3mil. I wore a 5 mil.

Also, lots of jellies at the surface last week. I was happy to have full body protection.

PH

 

[Lorenzoid]

This was on another thread.

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-xssb/xs-scuba-2mm-tropic-beanie

I found the beanie to be a bit small as measured for my head, but other than that it worked well for my recent trip

Looks practical--perhaps lacking the stylishness of The Scap. Then again, the older I get, the less I care if people think I look dorky. I AM dorky.

 

[dflaher]

I'm going to use a 3mm with a skin underneath. The skin serves two purposes: it makes it easier to put the 3 mm on, and it provides an additional layer of warmth, although not much.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

In my opinion, a full Lavacore with 3 mil shorty on top when cold,is the best option for Cozumel year round.

Dave Dillehay

Aldora Divers

www.aldora.com