What type of wetsuit should I buy (beginner)?

[BrianOrange]

Hey everyone -

So being the total new scuba nerd that I am, I told my girlfriend to get me a wetsuit for my birthday tomorrow. But I need some advice on what type of suit to get.

I live in New York City but will be doing 90% of my dives in Florida, the Caribbean and other warm water locales. I'd like buy something that I could ideally use anywhere I go. For example, I'd like my suit to be compatible with doing a dive in the Keys in April but I'd also like to use it for a wreck dive off the coast of Long Island in August. Basically I want one wetsuit that will suit me for wherever I dive. I am not sure if this is even possible but I'd thought I'd ask. I am looking for advice on what type of thickness to look for, specifically.

 

[SeaHound]

I dont think there is any ONE suit that would let you do anything! I think the most versatile suit for most people is the 3mm or 3/2 mm. This is the most widely sold suit. I have used a Bare velocity suit for summer dives in North Carolina and winter-diving in Florida. I would buy that as my first suit and use it for Florida waters. If it turns out to be cold then my next buy could be a 5mm full suit.

 

[george w]

3mm or skin suit for warm water and 7mm for the NY, Nj water even in the summer

 

[ScubaSam]

Agree that there is not one suit that will suit diving FL and diving NY. I have a 3mm for FL diving and a 7mm for local diving. Even if the water temp is warm on the surface, it does get colder at depth in the local waters. Fit is just as important as the thickness of your wetsuit. Make sure you try it on before purchasing, fit is key.

 

[Belce]

get a dry suit, a trilam or bilam and with variation in insulation you can dive anywhere with it.

 

[sladerer]

No way one wetsuit will do what you want. Even if the surface temp in NJ/NY is upper 70's, the temp
at depth will likely be much cooler. As an example, I dove OC, MD this past weekend. 81F at the surface 10 miles out,
58F at 70' with the thermocline right about 35'. At 81 I normally wouldn't wear a suit except for the jellies, but
at 58 I was VERY happy I had my 6.5mm Down130 suit plus 5/3 gloves and 5mm hood.

Since you're still very new, you likely don't even really know what your water temp tolerance is yet. I'm very
happy diving a bathing suit and rash guard at 78 or above, my wife is happy in a 3mm at those temps. What's
comfortable for me or others may not be comfortable for you. Even in FL the difference between the keys or panhandle,
July/Jan makes a big difference. While you probably can't go wrong with one wetsuit in the 3 range and a second in
the 7 range, the 7 may still leave you cold in NY and the 3 may feel too warm in the Keys in July.

For the 7, you'll have to choose between one piece or two. Many colder water divers (who
haven't gone dry yet) like to double up the core, diving a full suit with a hooded vest
underneath, or wearing a two piece farmer john/jacket style.

Hope this helps.

 

[SubMariner]

get a dry suit, a trilam or bilam and with variation in insulation you can dive anywhere with it.

A drysuit is great in anything up to about 78-80F, but beyond that a full 3 mm is best; you simply cannot stay cool enough in a trilam in warm water.

We dive trilams in temperate climates, and full 3mm for tropical. Those two options pretty much cover it all.

JMHO,