Wet suit for the Galapagos...

[mattiedread]

I'm going to the Galapagos in July, and my ancient Rip Curl died on my in Cozumel... I have a 3 mil shorty and I'm wondering what kind of suit I should acquire (not model, rather style). I've owned many wetsuits in my day, but for surfing, not diving, and I think diving is considerably colder than surfing.

I'm not a big fan of Farmer John's, so I'm considering a full 5mil or 7mil (my wife who is heartier than I when it comes to cold water is laughing at me... "We're going to the Galapagos, not Antartica!") I could use a little guidance here. I want to be warm on my torso and my armpits.

Any suggestions on how thick I'll need? I'm a 20 minute subway ride from Leisure Pro, any reason not to buy there?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Ladydiver]

Hi Matt,

Your situation sounds familiar. In our house I am the cold one (I get cold in 70+ degree water) and hubby is the warm one (chips ice and dives in wear a wetsuit). Here in San Diego, I use a 7mil one piece with a Polartec underneath and I am usually comfortable during the summer diving season.

I don't know what the temps are like in the Galapagos, but if it is anything like it is here, I personally don't think 7 mil would be too much. I would rather be a little too warm than not warm enough. You can always let a little water in to cool off, but it's kind of hard to add more neoprene when you are at depth.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,

 

[mattiedread]

LadyDiver,

Thanks for the reply.

Because most of the diving I'm going to do is in 70, or even 80+ degree water, I went with the 5. The exceptions are Red Sea and Galapagos. I have a feeling by the time I get to the Red Sea I'll have a dry suit (I live in the NY area, and most local divers are dry suit divers). I wanted a wetsuit that I'd get a lot of use out of, and seven mils is just too big to lugging or wearing where I'm going to be doing most of my diving, and for non-diving local activities, 5mil long is a luxury.. most people I know have 3 or 5s for surfing/offshore Hobie sailing through mid October.

I read tons of post, online articles etc. with the idea that I could 'layer'. Of course now my question is.. what is the best way to layer?... under the suit with lycra or polartect, above with a shorty, farmer john top (long sleeve) or a hooded vest?? I threw the question out in the general forum (complete with water temperature, but not specific enough). We'll see. I'm still digging up some interesting stuff.