cold water exposure suit debate

[arcticat99]

A semi dry suit does not keep you dry - hence the semi... What it does is restrict the water movement through the cuffs on the neck, wrist and ankles. That restriction does keep you "relatively" dry - but it is not a dry suit - do not confuse the two... You can pee in your semi-dry if you so choose but I would not pee in my drysuit...

if you pee in a dry suit it is no longer a dry suit lol

 

[arcticat99]

I'd consider a Scubapro rubber drysuit or the equivalent since it isn't much more money than a semi-dry. You don't need to use too much underwear with it and you can use it all year long.

http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/divewear/wetsuits/products/novascotia-6mm.aspx

yes this link takes you to a semi dry but i do know bare does make a neoprene dry suit for example

 

[stuartv]

yes this link takes you to a semi dry but i do know bare does make a neoprene dry suit for example

Yes. I have a Bare XCS2 Tech, which is crushed neoprene. It is tough as nails. But, it is miserable to put on when the air temps are anything over about 75F and you're getting ready to get in cold water.

 

[2airishuman]

You might want to consider a freedive type of 7 mm suit. I find them the warmest.

They have a smooth rubber interior that is flexible and prevents water migration in and out and inside the suit.

The fj pants give a second layer of insulation on the core. The elimination of all zippers eliminates all leaks. The attached and integrated hood means zero leaks at the neck and this has a big effect.

I have been extremely pleased with my 7mm freedive suit. Very warm, not expensive. Mine is from freedivestore.com because Mako doesn't carry my size. I have never been cold on a dive in it, even at 39 degrees F. and 100 feet.

I've read through all the advice and have decided to get a dry suit at some point, but I'm going to wait until I've been on a dive in my 7mm where I am cold.

 

[2airishuman]

my biggest issue was buoyancy control which is understandable being a newbie

Buoyancy control is difficult in 7mm particularly on shallower dives.

and second feeling constrictive with the double layers

You may have been using a suit that does not fit, but then again, a 7mm will never be as comfortable as a thinner suit.

i been looking at dry suits but not sure whether or not ill get enough use for the cost

You will have to decide what dives you want to go on for which a 7mm isn't suitable and whether those dives are worth the dollars.

,now i see Bare claims to have a 1 piece wet suit called the reactive that supposed to be warmer than standard wet suits .now the big question would a 1 piece be easier to control buoyancy than a 2 piece and will it be as warm

I am very skeptical of claims of better performance from fancy wetsuits or semi-dry suits. Any good quality 7mm will limit water flow through the suit. The "semi dry" suits are all one piece which makes them harder to fit, and they then have to use zippers, which drives up the cost. Again, I like my freedive suit.

 

[spoolin01]

A semi dry suit does not keep you dry - hence the semi... What it does is restrict the water movement through the cuffs on the neck, wrist and ankles. That restriction does keep you "relatively" dry - but it is not a dry suit - do not confuse the two... You can pee in your semi-dry if you so choose but I would not pee in my drysuit...

I asked about it because Burhan mentioned wearing thermal undergarments. I'd never heard of that with a wetsuit, aside from maybe a lycra layer, or a thinner neoprene suit. I thought maybe with good limb seals, and especially a true drysuit zipper, it might be a truly sealed suit.

Wouldn't too, nor in the wetsuit if it could be helped.

I am very skeptical of claims of better performance from fancy wetsuits or semi-dry suits. Any good quality 7mm will limit water flow through the suit. The "semi dry" suits are all one piece which makes them harder to fit, and they then have to use zippers, which drives up the cost. Again, I like my freedive suit.

Fit is going to be the real key, maybe you meant that. Actual seals at wrists, ankles, and neck, with a drysuit zipper, will make a big difference in water exchange.

How do you find the freesuit neoprene holds up to crushing after a lot of deep scuba dives?

 

[stuartv]

I asked about it because Burhan mentioned wearing thermal undergarments. I'd never heard of that with a wetsuit, aside from maybe a lycra layer, or a thinner neoprene suit.

I wear Lavacore undergarments under my wetsuit when appropriate. They add roughly the equivalent warmth of having 2mm thicker neoprene. And the Lavacore is neutral, so you don't have to change your weighting when you add it to what you're wearing. Sharkskin and others make similar garments.

 

[tech3324]

I have been extremely pleased with my 7mm freedive suit. Very warm, not expensive. Mine is from freedivestore.com because Mako doesn't carry my size. I have never been cold on a dive in it, even at 39 degrees F. and 100 feet.

When I took the PADI drysuit class the instructor was wearing a Cressi freediving suit, and he spoke very highly of it. Seems like the only drawback is having to use spray lube to get into the suit.

 

[Johanan]

I have to firmly disagree with @Johanan as using the drysuit for a bcd can be dangerous if you are diving with large tanks. With tanks like AL80's you don't really need a BC anyway except for the suit compensation, but that's neither here nor there.

Would you elaborate on that, please?

 

[BoltSnap]

The description doesn't make the claim that it stays dry - do you find it does? I see there is also a hooded 7mm version.

I gave the wrong link but I corrected it.

www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/divewear/dry-suits/products/everdry4.aspx