3mm, 5mm, 7mm for SoCal?

Tim R Alcoser JR · Apr 28, 2012

I'm considering buying a new wet suit in the near future. As far as So Cal goes, in general, what is probably a good wet suit for the water here based on Summer and Winter. I know there are more factors that can contribute, but I am just looking for a general idea. Or, what do you all wear?

Thanks in advance.

jayaspock · Apr 28, 2012

In the summer you are going to want a 7 mm (water temp ~65) in the winter you are going to want either a 7 mm semi-dry or a 7mm + a 5 mm hooded vest (water temp ~55). In the summer you are also going to want a hood, gloves and boots to go with the suit. I have a Bare sport 7mm that I like a lot. Excel makes a nice suit but is significantly more expensive. I had a Body glove but because it was a lower end model it was pretty buoyant. My understanding is that their upper end models don't have that problem.

gsk3 · Apr 28, 2012

I would suggest thinner than either of those choices. A drysuit is about 2mm.... :-D

Hatul · Apr 29, 2012

On boats in San Diego I see about 60:40 7mm wetsuit : drysuit. Shore divers use mostly wetsuits in Laguna. A 7mm full suit with 5mm hooded vest is adequate.

scubadada · Apr 29, 2012

Agree with Hatul. I visit SoCal a few times per year and dive with a full 7mm and a 5/3mm hooded vest and do fine. If I lived there and dived frequently, I'd buy a drysut. I've found the bottom temps in San Diego don't vary that much over the year. For instance, seems like temps on the Yukon are frequently in the mid-low 50s but have been a couple of degrees on either side.

keithbt · Apr 29, 2012

You ll need a 7mm wet suit year round here. The only thing youll need to change for seasons is what you wear under it...
I suggest to buy everything seperate rather than built in to the wet suit so you can change it for water temps. I buy Oneill ....The inventor of wetsuits....

Tim R Alcoser JR · Apr 30, 2012

Good info, thank you for the tips guys!

vladodessit · May 6, 2012

It depends on your cold tolerance. While most wear 7mm/7mm with hooded vest or drysuit, I am totally happy with 7/5 wetsuit in the winter and looking into 5mm for the summer dives at Catalina. I am bigger Russian guy (not overly fat, 6'2" about 200Lb, with big frame), usually smaller/skinnier guys/gals are more sensitive to cold. But I have seen at least one guy that was smaller and was diving 5mm with 3 mm core warmer vest in December and was totally happy. And then there is a certain female captain that dives 3mm wetsuit year round and claims to be fine with it

fxholt · May 7, 2012

I'm a smaller guy, 155 lbs and I do 7mm with hood in the winter, 7mm without hood in the summer. gloves always. Don't need a hood when the temp is in the 60s. Those funky vests sound fun but never tried it.

highveelocity · May 20, 2012

I dive with a 7 mil with a hood in temps below around 57 degrees. Above that temp I am comfortable with my 1/2 mil wetuit underneath my 3 mil.

3mm, 5mm, 7mm for SoCal?

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