wetsuit questions..

[guapo337]

If i bought a 3/2 wetsuit, and then wore a 2mm neoprene shirt under that, and 1.5mm neoprene shorts, would i be as warm as a 5/4 or 5/3 would provide?

what do the different numbers in the #/# scheme mean?

 

[guapo337]

nobody?

 

[geckojohn]

Not really... if you really need a warm wetsuit - i would recommend getting a 4/3 full suit. From what i've used, Hotline wetsuits are the warmest and most durable wetsuits out there. They keep me warm in santa cruz in the winter, so that says a lot. Let me know if you have any other wetsuit questions.

 

[geckojohn]

The first number represents the thickness of the main areas, like the chest and inside legs. The second number stands for the arm and the calfs.

 

[notfred]

God, I'd hate to think of the rashes from wearing what basically amounts to two wetsuits.

Just get a 5/4

 

[notfred]

double post

 

[guapo337]

Originally posted by: notfred
God, I'd hate to think of the rashes from wearing what basically amounts to two wetsuits.

Just get a 5/4

So you'd get rashes?

As far as I know, Santa Cruz is warm compared to Maine in the winter.

 

[guapo337]

Is hotline a brand? Or is it a special line?

Where can I find Hotline suits online? (Dont worry, I'll buy it in a store)

 

[notfred]

Hotline is a brand (Based in Santa Cruz), and the water temps in Santa Cruz are in the low 50s in the winter. Here's Hotline's website. Personally, I've found O'neill suits to be more comfotable than Hotline, but Hotline to be more durable.

And even with a pretty comfortable 4/3, you're going to get rashes if you're in the water for any length of time. It takes quite a while for your skin to get used to neoprene rubbing on it like that. A rash guard helps.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: guapo337

Originally posted by: notfred
God, I'd hate to think of the rashes from wearing what basically amounts to two wetsuits.

Just get a 5/4

So you'd get rashes?

As far as I know, Santa Cruz is warm compared to Maine in the winter.

For me, it always depended on the stiching etc. I never wore rashguard, my suits were always glue stiching. Never got a rash.

I live in S. Cali and the water isn't as cold. I've always had good luck with O'Neil.
I recommend 5/4 also for you.

 

[guapo337]

A 5/3 with a rashguard. That would work well, wouldnt it? Water temps are low 40s here in Maine in the winter.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: guapo337
A 5/3 with a rashguard. That would work well, wouldnt it? Water temps are low 40s here in Maine in the winter.

You're also going to want booties, a hood, and probably gloves. In the low 40's I'd go for a 5/4 over a 5/3. Low 40s is cold! Don't skimp on your wetsuit to save a couple bucks, it's no fun to be out in the water shivering.

 

[911paramedic]

The question is where are you going to wear this? (and for what, waterskiing, diving, surfing)

The numbers are mm of thickness by the way, the torso is usually thicker and the arms/legs are thinner.

 

[illusion88]

I have a 5/4 that I use here in Northern California in both the winter and summer. I use a rash guard because it rubs my neck like no other. It works fine. In the winter I have surfed in water that was said to be at 43 F. It worked fine. Although this year I have a few holes around the neck line and I am worried it might be really cold. I have a lifetime guarantee on the seams though.... now where did I put that warenty card...

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
The question is where are you going to wear this? (and for what, waterskiing, diving, surfing)

The numbers are mm of thickness by the way, the torso is usually thicker and the arms/legs are thinner.

He's going to be surfing in Maine.

 

[geckojohn]

Hotline's new wetsuits are a lot more comfortable and flexible. The top of the line one run about $300-350... they are expensive, but they have a good warantee.

 

[MaxDepth]

surfing in Maine? they have breaks that far north?

Henderson gold core is a good suit. Esentially it all comes down to fit. If it bags on you then that's where the water will be. And no amount of neoprene will keep you warm if you are getting a fresh supply of water inside the suit.

 

[guapo337]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: guapo337
A 5/3 with a rashguard. That would work well, wouldnt it? Water temps are low 40s here in Maine in the winter.

You're also going to want booties, a hood, and probably gloves. In the low 40's I'd go for a 5/4 over a 5/3. Low 40s is cold! Don't skimp on your wetsuit to save a couple bucks, it's no fun to be out in the water shivering.

Yeah I know about booties and gloves, I already have some. I'll buy a hood, or get a suit with one.

 

[911paramedic]

Well you don't need one as thick for surfing as you would for diving in that temperature. (I use a full body 7mm with a hooded vest) I would think about a 5/4 or something like that, as long as it's full body. You will be doing some work so that should keep you warm enough, if not throw a vest underneath.

I have about five wetsuits, a thin shorty for teaching the pool portion in summer, a full 3/2 for winter pool classes, etc. Being able to combine pieces is a good way to go depending on water temperature. (throwing on my vest, etc.) Dry suits are nice too.

If you do get rashes, you should wear a skin underneath, they are fairly pricy but well worth it.

 

[guapo337]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
surfing in Maine? they have breaks that far north?

Henderson gold core is a good suit. Esentially it all comes down to fit. If it bags on you then that's where the water will be. And no amount of neoprene will keep you warm if you are getting a fresh supply of water inside the suit.

Yeah there are breaks. It's usually best in winter, right before or after storms. The water warms up then, too. During the summer and fall, before hurricanes, the water is REALLY warm, and the breaks are big.

 

[guapo337]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Well you don't need one as thick for surfing as you would for diving in that temperature. (I use a full body 7mm with a hooded vest) I would think about a 5/4 or something like that, as long as it's full body. You will be doing some work so that should keep you warm enough, if not throw a vest underneath.

I have about five wetsuits, a thin shorty for teaching the pool portion in summer, a full 3/2 for winter pool classes, etc. Being able to combine pieces is a good way to go depending on water temperature. (throwing on my vest, etc.) Dry suits are nice too.

If you do get rashes, you should wear a skin underneath, they are fairly pricy but well worth it.

So would you say a rashguard, plus a 3/2 full, plus various 2mm and 1.5mm shirts and shorts would work? I also want to use this in the summer when the water is slightly warmer.

 

[911paramedic]

That could work, but the only way to know is by trying it.

 

[notfred]

No offense to Paramedic911 or anything, but divers and surfers use different suits for different activities. You should be looking at getting a surfing setup, not a diving setup. You might be best off getting a 5/4 and a 4/3 or 3/2 for the summer. I wouldn't do the mulitple layers dive siut thing.

 

[MaxDepth]

Originally posted by: notfred
No offense to Paramedic911 or anything, but divers and surfers use different suits for different activities. You should be looking at getting a surfing setup, not a diving setup. You might be best off getting a 5/4 and a 4/3 or 3/2 for the summer. I wouldn't do the mulitple layers dive siut thing.

For cold water diving and surfing, there are differences. However, one piece wetsuits are good for any aqautic sport.

Here is the Henderson link. I have just as many suits as 911Paramedic does. He teaches, I do research diving. I have everything from a .5 mm surfing shorty (ONeil) to tri-laminate drysuit. I also have a 7mm neoprene dry suit that I use only in really, really cold diving or when I am helping an instructor in October and I'll be in the water all day.

The reason for recommending the gold core is that it is easy to put on, the lining keeps me rash free, and it is so snug around the ankles and wrists that I am nearly dry when I am surfing of the coast of NC (btw, surfing sucks in NC unless a hurricane is sitting of the coast). The only problem is that it is sometimes too snug and it is a bear to take off, especially when you are tired.