Wetsuits

[bjpell]

Can anyone here give me some help on what wetsuit to get. I will be doing a lot of diving in the lake I live on that is about 30-40 ft range and a deep spot of 60ft at one end. I don't want a dry suit for the sake that I'm not certified and my budget is way lower then that. IF possible I want to spend less then $300 and preferably more like 100-200 range. My dive shop is pushing me towards:

• Henderson premium neoprene 7m for $140.00
• Henderson gold core 7m $248.00

He wants me to get the Gold Core, so I think I might go with it, but I was wondering if there is a big difference between the regular and it. Seems like a lot more cash for a suit that I'm guessing isn't going to be that much more warmer. I take cold water good, it doesn’t bother me as much as most people. Anyway, your suggestions and help would be appreciated. Especially from you Great lakes divers, as soon as I take wreck diving I will be out there with you guys every weekend.
Thanks,
-=ben

 

[ArcticDiver]

Can anyone here give me some help on what wetsuit to get. I will be doing a lot of diving in the lake I live on that is about 30-40 ft range and a deep spot of 60ft at one end. I don't want a dry suit for the sake that I'm not certified and my budget is way lower then that. IF possible I want to spend less then $300 and preferably more like 100-200 range. My dive shop is pushing me towards:

• Henderson premium neoprene 7m for $140.00
• Henderson gold core 7m $248.00

He wants me to get the Gold Core, so I think I might go with it, but I was wondering if there is a big difference between the regular and it. Seems like a lot more cash for a suit that I'm guessing isn't going to be that much more warmer. I take cold water good, it doesn’t bother me as much as most people. Anyway, your suggestions and help would be appreciated. Especially from you Great lakes divers, as soon as I take wreck diving I will be out there with you guys every weekend.
Thanks,
-=ben

It all depends on you. From a comfort perspective different people react to cold differently. Also, different people with different metabolisms and body fat content actually do cool at different rates.

So, assuming you are currently certified, what do you use now? In what kind of water? From that make a guess. Your guess will be just as good as anything you are going to get from a bunch of total strangers who haven't a clue about your cold tolerance.

In your search for brands you might take a look at Xcel. They have line of pretty effective wet and semi-dry suits that look attractive.

 

[Bob3]

The lining of the suit - metallic/nylon has very little to do with the warmth; it's one of those bogus sales pitches you'll sometimes get.
Fit is everything. I'd suggest a 1-piece 7mm with a hooded vest underneath, or over, as the fit allows.
There are also some dandy suits with attached hoods that REALLY cut down on water exchange/infiltration, the main cause of chilling.

 

[ScubaRon]

It would help if you stated where you are diving and what typical air/water temps are.

As for the gold/silver/titanium linings: they do not add to the cold protection of the wetsuit, but offer 2 advantages:
- they make it easier to get in and out of the suit
- they dry fast, which is nice for the second dive

 

[fdog]

Absolutely! The Gold Core has made a difference in warmth of my suits. Using Gold Core changed my temperature tolerance by about 5-8 degrees F.

As Scuba Ron points out, GC is easier to pull on, and dries very fast. It also makes an excellent seal against the skin, reducing water flow, which in turn makes the suit warmer.

The difference is enough that my wife switched all her wetsuits to gold core.

Indeed, I have found the "titanium" claims for nylon inside suits to be bogus. However, the slick lined suits have no nylon inside, and the metal sounding names seem to refer only to the color of the lining. Hendersons' such suit is "Gold Core"; Xcel is SCS; Harveys' is Kobalt. All are made from the same rubber made by Yamamoto with different color to the urethane lining.

Quite a few years ago we would wear "Nylon 1" wetsuits with the rubber side facing in. These were quite a bit warmer than the same suit with the rubber side out, because the rubber sealed against the skin. But what a pain in the **s they were to put on...they had to be perfectly dry and lots of talcum powder. The GC, SCS, and Kobalt suits glide on and still seal excellently.

Of course all this is predicated on a decent fit. A loose suit with big "pumps" under each arm will freeze you no matter what.

If possible, try before you buy. That way, the most important factor of all...how well it works for you...will determine how you spend your $.

All the best, James

 

[dajmitch]

[*]Henderson gold core 7m $248.00

FYI, that is a great price on the Gold Core. LP has it listed at $304 (for the 7/5 jumpsuit). its almost $400 at my LDS. Can I get your LDS E-Mail?
Dave