Wetsuit in combination with diveskin?

[vlkr]

this is actually a question that was raised on a thread about what to wear diving on coz. i said that there is a school of thought which says using skins in combination with neoprene may actually lessen the warmth rather than enhance it due to interferring with the seal. somebody questioned where i got that info and i had to admit i could not recall.
so my question is, am i carrying aound some false info or is using the 2 together actually conterproductive?

 

[rstofer]

That's an interesting question! It is even more interesting in the context of semi-dry wetsuits where there are actually seals on the arms and legs.

I am using an AquaLung Sola FX (semi-dry) wetsuit in 50 deg F water with a Lycra suit. I don't notice any water surging through the suit and I am certainly not cold so I'm not sure how much of a problem the Lycra suit creates.

Same for another family member wearing a 2 piece 7mm Farmer John. Except his undergarment is more sophisticated (Thinsulate?). As far as I know, it is working well.

Now, for drysuits, the instructions will say to push the Lycra suit material above the seals before getting wet. After all, drysuits aren't supposed to leak at all. I suppose the same practice could work for a wetsuit - except a wetsuit is much tighter. Maybe having the material waddled up will be uncomfortable.

I look forward to seeing the responses of more knowledgeable divers.

Richard

 

[Captain Larry]

It depends on the make and model of the wetsuit and the fit of the wetsuit.
A rashguard probably won't make much difference in fit since it shouldn't interfere with any of the seals, maybe around the neck, but I don't think that there is any warmth advantage with a rashguard or lycrasuit. With modern lined wetsuits a rashguard or lycra doesn't serve much purpose.
The stirrups on a lycra may create a slight gap in the ankle seal of the wetsuit but the seal is snug enough that if any water gets in it will be a few drops. The theory of wetsuit warmth is to minimize the flow of water through the suit so that your body has a chance to warm what little water enters.
Every wetsuit will let a little water in. You want to purchase a good quality wetsuit that will actually do what a wetsuit is supposed to do, minimize water flow through the suit so that your body can warm the water in the suit and use it for insulation. My advice is to purchase a quality wetsuit with a Merino wool lining. The Merino wool lining is exothermic, it absorbs your body heat and passes it to what little water enters the suit. The neck collar seal on the Pinnacle combined with the excellent wrist and ankle o-rings or zipper seals will make a big difference. The Merino wool lining also eliminates the cold-clammy feel that you get when you take your wetsuit top down between dives then put it back on. Maybe that is why you want to wear a lycra under your wetsuit, if so the wool lining should solve your discomfort.

 

[don Francisco]

Standard 3-5mm wetsuits intended for warm water don't have true seals in the sense of keeping water out. They're intended to restrict water flow, and trap a warm layer of water between you and the suit. Wearing a skin wouldn't intefere with that function and might actually enhance it by increasing the thickness of the trapped water layer.

 

[djb_1965]

My wife says she seems to notice a little difference with a skin...a tad warmer...but what she really likes is the fact that the skin makes it much easier to get the wetsuit on.

 

[EastcoastdiverLLC]

Vlkr

I'll be wearing my 3mm wetsuit with my skin on our upcoming trip to Coz. Not only do I believe it increases thermal protection considerably, I like the ease of getting my suit on and off.

Gary

 

[divetatoo]

I dive in cold water. I wear a 7mm Oneil and a lycra suit. I only wear the suit to help slide on and off the wetsuit as well as it gives some protection from the sun. My seals at the wrists, ankles and neck are not affected.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I worked in a dive shop for nearly a decade and sold a lot of lycra and neoprene wetsuits. All of the manufacturers say the same thing, wearing a dive skin under a wetsuit eliminates the space between the wetsuit and your skin, making you feel colder. I have a friend who puts plastic bags on her hands and feet, making the wetsuit slide right on. Save the dive skin for warmer climates.

 

[msg]

I use the dive skin to help get my wetsuit on. Never noticed a difference in temp. I have always had a hard time getting my suit on with out the skin. In really cold water, I go dry.

 

[Belmont]

There is a misconception with some contributors here.

The water trapped in a wet suit has no insulating effect at all. The insulation is supplied by the air that is trapped in the neoprene cells.

There is a small amount of water that will sneak in when submerging, that water has to be warmed up at the divers expense.

Since it reaches skin temperature and is under the insulating neoprene it has to remain there rather than be replaced with new cold water.

Would a Lycra skin help water displacement under a wet suit? I think at best if the fit is loose it would fill some space and prevent water movement thus being helpfull.

If the suit fits well it probably would have no negative effect, depending on the texture of the inside surface of the suit, it could help water move with a smooth lining and less with a fleecy one. Moving water being undesirable.

In any case, immobile air is insulating water is not.