wetsuit selection...again

[Jambo]

Hi Folks,

I'm new to Scuba and to this board and hate to start another thread on what appears to be a very common topic but I'm kinda stuck.

I'll be diving in New England by the way. I guess that's important when looking for advice

I was set on getting a Jacket-John combo and had basically just used Rodales Scuba Diving Gear Buyers section to do the research (are there other gear review sites people can recommend?).

My instructor had also said that the two-piece was the only way to go.

I had settled on one of the following:
Bare Supra
Henderson Gold Core
Seaquest Contour 7

I went to a second dive shop to get an opinion on the Henderson and got conflicting advice about the value of the two-piece. Downsides including:
1. bouyancy and therefore comfort
2. less protection around the armpits and groin where most heat is lost from

So now I've got a new set of recommendations!
Henderson Hyperflex
Henderson Gold Core Jumpsuit
Seaquest Isotek
And to any of the above add a bibbed hood if still too cold.

Help!

I guess it would be ideal if I could rent one of each type but the shops tend not to rent higher end equipment so I don't think that's going to be an option.

The one thing that has been stated consistently by all that I've spoken to is that the best wet suit is the one that fits you best and is the most comfortable, so I guess 3rd party opinions have to be considered in that perspective, however I would still appreciate some advice.

Thanks,

Scott.

 

[large_diver]

Hey Jambo,

I am a fellow New England diver (MA). I currently wear a 2 piece 7mm Bare wetsuit. Is this the best choice? I agree regarding the fit comments -- a great-fitting wetsuit can provide you better protection than an ill-fitting one that may be thicker.

If you can try out mutiple models before buying, that will serve you best. Each manufacturer fits differently and often diff. models from the same mfr. will fit differently. I ended buying a Bare Sport because the Supra (more expensive model) did not fit me well in the shoulders (had to do with the way in which the sleeves of the wet suit were attached).

Comfort and mobility -- a one piece will generally be more comfortable in terms of mobility (assuming it fits well) because you're covered/restricted by less neoprene.

Buoyancy -- more neoprene = more buoyant. I wear a XXXL jacket/john and I pay the price by having to wear almost 40lbs of weights.

A hooded bib used with a 1 piece might be a decent compromise -- extra protection for your torso/neck (water always seems to reach me via the neck first) but not as much neoprene as with a john/jacket.

The ultimate would be a custom wetsuit -- more expensive, but obvioulsy more comfortable in terms of warmth and mobility. One firm I've heard good things about is Liquidfit

Hope this helps.

http://www.liquidfit.com

 

[Warhammer]

There are two different types of 2 piece suits. In one corner you have the Farmer John style. Those 2 pieces do have some of the shortcomings you mention. Like no protection under the arm pits on the john, for one. Another is that the john is very inefficent by itself.

The other common 2 piece is a full suit and shortsleeve shorty combo. IMHO, this type offers the best protection as well as the best versatility of any wetsuit combo on the market. You can wear the full suit on warmer days and have the benefit of complete coverage. On even warmer still days, you can wear the shorty by itself and still have all the big heat loss aeras covered. On colder days you can wear them together for more warmth and throw a bibbed hood itno the mix on the real cold days, or maybe even a hooded jacket. Your extremities will still only be covered by the full suit, so mobility differences between the 2 types are minimal.

As a side note, my wife dives a Henderson Gold Core and likes it very well. I dive custom fit Liquidfit Platinum suits(full/shorty combo) and I love them. There not as sexy as some of the designer suits but warmth is what I'm after when diving, not ....

 

[seatacea]

I've owned a few different "cold water" wetsuits, including Body Glove, Bare, and Seaquest. 2-piece and full suit. The warmest combination I've found is the Seaquest Isotek 7.6.5 warn with the matching Seaquest 3mm hooded vest. I'm in San Diego and spend plenty of time in low 50's water. I have about 200 dives on the Seaquest combo, and it's starting to break down a bit -- probably because many of my dives are 100 ft +. I now have a Mares Isotherm semi-dry on order, which doesn't cost all that much more that the Seaquest. Good luck!