why a 7mm shorty?

[Lorenzoid]

What would one use a 7 mm shorty for? I suppose I could see an argument that a thick shorty keeps your core warm while allowing freedom of movement, but still, if your arms and legs are not chilly, then I would think 5 mm over your core would be more than enough. And I can't imagine one would wear a 7 mm shorty plus some other wetsuit, like a jacket--that would be too much. So, how useful is a 7 mm shorty?

 

[spectrum]

They are worn with a "farmer John" (Jane). You may also be talking about a step-in vest which is layered with a full suit.

See here

Pete

 

[Lorenzoid]

No, spectum/Pete, I don't mean the type of jacket worn over a farmer John, or those vests that are worn with a full suit--I mean a shorty, with short sleeves and short legs, shown in bottom right photo of your link. Just like the shorty that I dive in the tropics with, but 7mm. Maybe some people wear them with a full suit as well, but I can't imagine 14 mm of neoprene.

 

[spectrum]

14 mm of neoprene on the core is SOP for cold water wet diving. The only difference is the short sleeves. Cressi makes a shorty as you describe (but 5mm) with the integrated hood. The addition of the short sleeves provides much better closure than armpit gaskets.

It may also make some sense for something like water skiing where you could want the freedom, core warmth, padding and buoyancy. Is this a new item for sale?

Pete

 

[Lorenzoid]

I guess that answers my question. I just happened to be looking through the sale racks at a dive shop and wondered whether they had several 7 mm shorties there because it doesn't sell well, at least down here.