Wetsuit ?

[trojanman]

We are thinking of diving the san diego area in aug probably mostly shore dives. What would be the minimum wetsuit needed for this sort of diving?

 

[Trixxie]

When I used to dive in the Monterey Ca area, I wore a 7MM Farmer John 2pc + gloves + hood.

I was kinda warm almost hot at the surface but at depth was nice and toasty.... Not sure if the water around San Diego is the same as around Monterey but I would think it's pretty close.

 

[Glycerin]

I'd recommend a 7mm with hood and gloves. The water temp will be warmish on the surface but below 60fsw it will be in the mid 50's

 

[dpbishop]

5 mil is OK for August, the water is at it's warmest. I dove 5 mil year round in San Diego until recently and rarely got cold. 3 mil would be pushing the envelope; I've done that in a pinch and you really know were the thermocline is.:eek_2:

 

[stanky1]

No less than 5 mil if you want to be comfortable.

 

[snoballz]

Hope OP doesn't mind me piggybacking on this thread since I'm looking for similar answers.

I'm heading to San Diego in December (Christmas) and only have a 3mm wetsuit. I guess I'll rent a 7mm wetsuit when I'm there. How thick should the hood be? Will 5mm be sufficient to keep my head warm?

TIA
:14:

 

[on_two_wheels]

I use a 5 mil hood so that should be fine. I absolutely HATE the cold so if I'm good in that hood (yes, I know how that sounds), then just about anyone probably would be. As for suit, 5 mil is the MINIMUM but like others, I'd recommend a 7mm. I have a 7 mil and it keeps me warm. If it's warmer than normal, I just pull the neck out a touch and flood it. Cools me down in a hurry!! I was in Laguna last month and the water at 40 fsw was about 64 degrees and this method worked just fine. Better to have a thick suit you can flood to cool off than a suit that's too thin. No way to warm up a thin suit underwater.

 

[Venom]

In Dec-Jan I wear a 5mm hooded vest under my 7mm suit with 5mm gloves.
I've never had to flood it to cool off.