austinthor
Registered
OK, here's my conundrum...I am female, 5'11" tall, 135 pounds and have about 11% body fat (that's significant because I have almost no natural insulation). I just wrapped up a dive trip to Cozumel and dove with Blue XT Sea (love them!), so our dives were long (between 65 and 80 minutes) and I dove an average of 3 times per day (4 times on 2 days). I need to mention my wetsuit does have some ill-fitting arms and some gapping underwater. On the first day, I started out with my 3mm O'Neill wetsuit and was frigid after my first dive, so I added a 3mm Henderson hat. On the second day I added a 3mm shorty *over* my 3mm wetsuit and put the hat on after about 25 minutes...if I put the hat on any sooner I got hot. For my 2 night dives I added a 3mm Henderson vest *under* my 3mm O'Neill wetsuit and the 3mm shorty on top of all of that. I know you are: 1) In disbelief that I wore so much clothing in Cozumel and 2) Laughing hysterically by now. It's OK... The 3rd day I tried the 3mm vest/3mm wetsuit/3mm shorty combination (during the day) but it was *way* too hot. I took the vest off and went back to the 3mm wetsuit and 3mm shorty. The 4th day I left the vest out of the mix as well. So where does this leave me?...I need a new wetsuit. I don't want to die sweating in a 5mm wetsuit in the tropics, so Christi from Blue XT Sea recommended a 3mm Pinnacle...merino wool lined. I know the Pinnacles have better seals and protection to begin with, and with the wool I'll get a bit of added protection without the bulk of a 5mm suit. If I have a vest and the hat plus the 3mm merino lined Pinnacle I think I'll be set. What's your opinion/guidance/advice? Thanks!!!!!!! Heidi