Wetsuit

[HardcoreRobot]

I might be in the market for one. Anything in particular I should know? What should I expect to pay for a decent one? Thanks

 

[JulesMaximus]

I own 4...what do you want to know?

What are you going to use it for? Where are you going to use it? Climate? Water temps? Time of year?

 

[mdchesne]

I usually like the dry kinds. I don't think your boss would like it if you were soaking wet at meetings

 

[HardcoreRobot]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I own 4...what do you want to know?

What are you going to use it for? Where are you going to use it? Climate? Water temps? Time of year?

It will be for diving. Not sure about the water temps bc I know it gets cold as you go lower even in warmer places. Basically I know nothing! Are there different types for different activities?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I own 4...what do you want to know?

What are you going to use it for? Where are you going to use it? Climate? Water temps? Time of year?

It will be for diving. Not sure about the water temps bc I know it gets cold as you go lower even in warmer places. Basically I know nothing! Are there different types for different activities?

Yes, dive suits are different from wetsuits designed for surfing (which is what I use them for). Dive suits usually zip up in the front where surf suits zip up in the back. Dive suits are usually thicker and heavier than surf suits because flexibility is more important in surfing. What thickness you get depends on how deep you'll be diving and where you'll be diving. I'd talk to someone at a dive shop familiar with the area you are planning on diving and get recommendations from him/her. I would imagine you aren't diving very deep since you don't know much about wetsuits.

Some places you'd get by with just a vest. Others you'd need a full wetsuit with hood and gloves. Depends entirely on the water temp where you're diving. Last thing you want is hypothermia.

 

[jjones]

Yeah, what Jules said. It all depends upon where you're diving and what type of diving you will be doing. I own two myself; a 3/2 mm shorty for tropical diving up to 60 feet, and a 4/3 mm full suit for cooler waters like when I was diving in California or deeper tropical dives.

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: jjones
Yeah, what Jules said. It all depends upon where you're diving and what type of diving you will be doing. I own two myself; a 3/2 mm shorty for tropical diving up to 60 feet, and a 4/3 mm full suit for cooler waters like when I was diving in California or deeper tropical dives.

You must like being cold... I would dive off cali without at least 6mm.

 

[Ronin]

I just sit and stare at women in em.

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: Ronin
I just sit and stare at women in em.

You like to see women covered in thick fabric that squishes their boobs, and makes them waddle?

 

[Ronin]

It's all about the camel toe. You have to appreciate the finer things in life.

 

[imported_Tick]

If someone is wearing anything more than a 2/1mm shorty that's 2 sizes to small, they will have no visible features.

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
I own 4...what do you want to know?

What are you going to use it for? Where are you going to use it? Climate? Water temps? Time of year?

It will be for diving. Not sure about the water temps bc I know it gets cold as you go lower even in warmer places. Basically I know nothing! Are there different types for different activities?

Yes, dive suits are different from wetsuits designed for surfing (which is what I use them for). Dive suits usually zip up in the front where surf suits zip up in the back. Dive suits are usually thicker and heavier than surf suits because flexibility is more important in surfing. What thickness you get depends on how deep you'll be diving and where you'll be diving. I'd talk to someone at a dive shop familiar with the area you are planning on diving and get recommendations from him/her. I would imagine you aren't diving very deep since you don't know much about wetsuits.

Some places you'd get by with just a vest. Others you'd need a full wetsuit with hood and gloves. Depends entirely on the water temp where you're diving. Last thing you want is hypothermia.

Most dive suits are two peice. At least all the ones that I have seen and used have been. Thickness is measured in mm (4mm, 5mm, 7mm etc.). Most suits have two numbers (4mm/3mm). The first number represents the thickness in the chest, back and sometimes crotch. It is thicker in these places because you loose alot of heat in these areas. The second number represents the thickness eerywhere else. As far as dive suits go, most of them start at 5mm/4mm. But I live in Northern California, and the waters up here are cold. Surface temps here can get as low as 45F! My buddy owns a 5mm/7mm and he says it gets really cold in the winter (diving).

What you need to do is go to a dive shop and talk to them. Explain your situtation and they will be able to help you. Remember, the thicker the suit the warmer it will be. It will also reduce your ability to move around.

One last thing. The first thing to go in any suit is the seams. The best seams are double stitched + glued. Some will have a strip of neoprene on the inside of the seam, covering it. So when you are picking out a suit, make sure you pay attention to the seams, as those are quite important. Alot of shops sell used suits for cheep. If you see one that looks like a good deal I would get it, as long as the seams look tight. I bought a real nice 3/4 step-in for $100. All it had was a tiny slice in the knee, that I patched with some wetsuit glue.

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: Tick

Originally posted by: jjones
Yeah, what Jules said. It all depends upon where you're diving and what type of diving you will be doing. I own two myself; a 3/2 mm shorty for tropical diving up to 60 feet, and a 4/3 mm full suit for cooler waters like when I was diving in California or deeper tropical dives.

You must like being cold... I would dive off cali without at least 6mm.

Well, this was strictly southern Cal and in the late spring through summer months. A 4/3 kept me warm enough for the diving I did there and I liked having the flexibility. Now I just dive here in Cancun in nice tropical waters, or in the cenotes, and all I use is my shorty. I hate getting into my full suit so I don't even do much deep diving any more. Most times I'm just lobster hunting anyway, or just very casual diving with some friends.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: jjones

Originally posted by: Tick

Originally posted by: jjones
Yeah, what Jules said. It all depends upon where you're diving and what type of diving you will be doing. I own two myself; a 3/2 mm shorty for tropical diving up to 60 feet, and a 4/3 mm full suit for cooler waters like when I was diving in California or deeper tropical dives.

You must like being cold... I would dive off cali without at least 6mm.

Well, this was strictly southern Cal and in the late spring through summer months. A 4/3 kept me warm enough for the diving I did there and I liked having the flexibility. Now I just dive here in Cancun in nice tropical waters, or in the cenotes, and all I use is my shorty. I hate getting into my full suit so I don't even do much deep diving any more. Most times I'm just lobster hunting anyway, or just very casual diving with some friends.

I wear a 3/2 fullsuit in the winter for surfing with booties. It keeps me warm enough in 53-55 degree water (of course that's at the surface). I can surf for a couple hours and usually get tired before I get too cold. I wear a 2mm shorty in the summer (San Diego area).

Yes, seams are important. Double stitched and glued is best.

 

[imported_Tick]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: jjones

Originally posted by: Tick

Originally posted by: jjones
Yeah, what Jules said. It all depends upon where you're diving and what type of diving you will be doing. I own two myself; a 3/2 mm shorty for tropical diving up to 60 feet, and a 4/3 mm full suit for cooler waters like when I was diving in California or deeper tropical dives.

You must like being cold... I would dive off cali without at least 6mm.

Well, this was strictly southern Cal and in the late spring through summer months. A 4/3 kept me warm enough for the diving I did there and I liked having the flexibility. Now I just dive here in Cancun in nice tropical waters, or in the cenotes, and all I use is my shorty. I hate getting into my full suit so I don't even do much deep diving any more. Most times I'm just lobster hunting anyway, or just very casual diving with some friends.

I wear a 3/2 fullsuit in the winter for surfing with booties. It keeps me warm enough in 53-55 degree water (of course that's at the surface). I can surf for a couple hours and usually get tired before I get too cold. I wear a 2mm shorty in the summer (San Diego area).

Yes, seams are important. Double stitched and glued is best.

Neoprened seams are even better.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

thanks for all the info guys!