2/3mm wetsuits - okay for warm water diving?

[Alice Mutasa]

I gather that the 2/3mm wetsuits (Gul, Sprey etc) are probably aimed more at surfing & other surface sports than diving, but has anyone used these for warm water diving - i.e. around 27 / 28°? (Caribbean; Indian Ocean etc). I was looking for a new 3mm, but I'm wondering if just having 3mm on the body & 2mm on the arms & legs will make a lot of difference - & I like the idea of a lighter wetsuit that's easier to get into! Views would be appreciated....

 

[Kmart4321]

I wear a full 3mm Henderson in the tropics. I have been warm on some dives so I flood it at the neck opening. Helps protect from stings also.

 

[DavidFL]

I use a Bare 2/3mm wetsuit in south Florida in what passes for our 'colder' months in the winter; I usually use a shorty in the warmer summer months.

 

[Kmart4321]

I use a Bare 2/3mm wetsuit in south Florida in what passes for our 'colder' months in the winter; I usually use a shorty in the warmer summer months.

It ain't "cold" water until you can walk on it[emoji15]

 

[CamC]

If you don't normally feel cold in a 3mm, then odds are good that you'll be just fine in a 3/2.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

27 is 80 degrees... which is NOT that warm. You will probably want a neoprene hood if you are doing more than one dive or want to be comfortable should the weather turn cloudy, rainy and cool.

 

[Scubagolf]

Exposure protection is a very personal issue. If I dive multiple days in a full 3, I may use a hood on second and subsequent dives. My wife dives a 5 mm in 80 degree water. Better a bit warm than chilled 30 mins into a dive.

 

[KevinNM]

It depends on the person. I saw a dive in Hawaii where a girl was freezing wearing a 7mm suit and other people were happily diving in cutoffs and t-shirts.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I love my Bare 3/2 mm full suit--it fits me very well--and use it when the water is warmer than about 80F (27C). Just below that temperature, I use my Bare 5/4 mm. Bare is a Canadian brand, and marketed mainly to divers as far as I know, not surfers.

 

[Craig66]

I get cold in a 2/3mm at 80 degrees diving with people who were diving in a bathing suit for an entire week - highly individual

Remember though, there are differences in the structure and function as a diving and surfing wetsuit.