What to wear under the drysuit

[Firediver]

Hello, I just ordered my first drysuit. Abyss Explorer. I have it custom fit.... I don't have the money to by a uni fleece undergarment.. What could I wear instead?? Wool Sweater any good if it's snug?? Also would Flanel pants with long underwear <also quite snug> be good? Water temp here in the summer gets to be about 10-11 degrees and in the winter about 2 degrees.

 

[capelli]

long underware and sweat suite would work just fine

 

[ABQdiver]

Cotton or wool is not a good option, the synthetics are much better undergarments. Once they are wet/damp you will get cold faster. I have dove with a cotton sweatshirt and had a slight leak at one wrist seal. I was cold on that side.

Its recommended that you wear something that wicks the moisture and sweat away from your skin like polypropylene long underwear and PolarTec over that. Or what ever combination that keeps YOU warm for the conditions your diving. The good stuff is more money but will work better in the long run.

Try it with what you have and then see what works best for you.

 

[Firediver]

Thanks. I do have a synthetic light weight undershirt from Mountain Equipment co-op and a sweat shift micro fleece from the same company. Should help.. Thanks for the help.

 

[Firediver]

Would Flannel be any good?? I have a few pairs of flannel PJ pants that are quite warm..

 

[Bob3]

Would Flannel be any good??

Nope, flannel is just fuzzy cotton.
Go with the polypro under layer, after that you can get away with a wool-nylon blend if youv'e got it around.
As already mentioned, polypro is the material of choice (unless you have some of that high dollar Capilene stuff).
You can use cotton if the water gets to be around bath temperature.

 

[Firediver]

Thanks. SOunds good.. Avoid Cotton.. stick with synthetics.

 

[deepdown522]

Patagonia wear for mountain climbing works for me in a shell suit down to 68 degrees.

 

[cyklon_300]

200 wt PolarTec tops and pants for under $25 each...then put a moisture-wicking synthetic shirt (Duofold Varitec/HotChillys MTF/Under Armour/polypropylene/ etc.) underneath.

It's not as warm as 400g Thinsulate, but nowhere near the price, either.

 

[Bob3]

200 wt PolarTec tops and pants for under $25 each

Better yet ... some of the heavy weight Polartec military surplus stuff:
http://www.scubaboard.com/t44403.html