Looking for suggestions on wetsuits for S. Florida/Carribean waters

[Shark Bait!]

So what type of wetsuits do you guys/girls like for the waters down here. Im looking mostly for a 3mm full suit. I've dove in a rented Pinnacle (not sure wich one) and Bare thus far. Looking to buy one by next weekend... How are the Evo vs Bare vs Pinnacle? Any differences in comfort and warmth?

[johnny_bravo]

I've used many suits...the Pinnacles are quite nice but in terms of fit and comfort and value you can't beat the Bare Velocity line IMHO.

Cheers.

-J.-

[pollywogg]

I own an Evo 3 mm, and a Pinnacle 5mm. When you look at an Evo side by side with other neoprene, it looks like a wet towel. It fits nicely, but the neoprene is cheap. My pinnacle cruiser 5mm, on the other hand, is great. It has become my go-to suit. I am a fairly small guy, but I have pretty large shoulders. The Pinnacle fits me like a dream. I love the seal it gives me around the neck, wrists, and ankles. It practically fits like a semi-dry.
My 5mm has also become my year-round suit. My 3mm was great at the time, but I get chilly at depth, or when I'm down for a couple hours scraping a boat hull. Ever since getting my 5 mm, my 3mm has sat in my closet. I have heard complaints that it is too much for Florida, but I took it down to the Keys for a couple days a few weeks ago. I wore my 3mm on the first day, but I got chilled(in 80-82*) water. I wore my 5mm the rest of the dives, and never once felt chilled or overheated.
The nice thing about overdoing insulation a bit is that you can pull the neck open a bit to let water fluch through if you get hot. If you're cold, you can't do anything.

[fisheyeview]

I own an Evo 3mm, a Pinnacle 3mm, a Pinnacle 5mm & and an AquaLung 1mm.

My Pinnacle 3mm definitely keeps me warmer than my Evo 3mm.

I wear the 5mm when diving in the winter. When the water temps get back above 72 degrees I go to the 3mm. When they get in the high 70s I go to the 1mm. Mid to upper 80's I'll go to a skin.

[Jupiter31]

I own a 5mm pinnicle, a 7mm scubapro

One of the best fitting wetsuits I ever used was an old, well used, RENTAL 3mm (left my suit on the counter at home; long story) - by scubapro - I told the owner of the shop who let me borrow it for the day I might come back and take it - it really fit that well! Better than my 5mm pinnacle, in fact. (Hope you are not reading this Gerry).

You will get as many posts as there are brands; most are good; avoid any specifically recommended for surfing; and buy the one that fits you best - price may be a component, but its not the main one in my experience.

[FritzCat66]

I dive a 2mm skin all summer here in Florida, switching to a Pinnacle 5mm in the winter months, and never get chilly except for those occasional thermoclines at Jupiter depths where it can suddenly turn upper-60's even in the middle of summer. Even then it's not worth turning the dive, although once back up to that half-stop at 40' it sure feels nice and warm again!

Then again, like any naturally-diving mammal I am blessed with a good supply of all-natural BioPrene^Ž® insulation. For those unlucky enough to lack sufficient organic equipment, I guess more of that artifical rubber stuff might be called for.

>*< Fritz

[down4fun]

Depends on how quick you get cold. I dive a 7mm Bare with a 7mm pinnacle hooded vest in the winter. But some of my buddies are in a 3mm all year. I also have a Evo 3mm and Bare 3mm. The Bare is definitely better than the Evo.

[ONESPEED]

Depends on how quick you get cold.

As down4fun stated, it's an individual thing. I dive a 3mil Henderson Hyperstretch most of the year and a 5mil Hyperstretch with a 3mil hood in winter. I'm a big fan of the Hyperstretch wetsuits for comfort, even the 5mil is almost as comfortable as wearing a skin.

[Shark Bait!]

Thanks for the replies. A friend gave me a gift card for Divers Direct, so i guess i will use it for a Bare wetsuit, and maybe a litle later upgrade to a Pinnacle.. guess you can never have to many wetsuits huh???

[Shark Bait!]

Well ive heard of Hendersons, but never personally dived in one yet. Guess i will try and find a LDS to rent one and see if i like it....
I haven't been below 71ft as yet, so im not sure as to how cold i will be at those depts