drysuit undergarments - which one

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rock92

Contributor
Messages
81
Reaction score
28
Location
Greensboro, NC
# of dives
200 - 499
so I just got my first drysuit, a waterproof D7. now comes the choice in undergarment. the two I am trying to decide between is the waterproof meshtec and the fourth element artic. I plan to use either wool base layers (which I don't have yet) or nike hyperwarm top and bottom (which I do have). this will be mainly for quarry diving through the winter here in NC. any thoughts are appreciated.
 
Water temperature? How long are the dives?
 
I’ve owned both(4th element and waterproof D1). IMHO the Meshtec built into the suit is garbage. It doesn’t do a good job of reflecting heat back and it is very difficult to dry perspiration out of between dives.

I purchased the 4th Element Arctic and have been ALOT warmer. Practically no contest in warmth.
 
Of those choices, the Arctic.

But that doesn't mean either of the choices are adequate for your type of diving.
 
Well, it all depends on the temperature, the dive time, your way of diving and how well you cope with cold.

For winter diving in a similar climate, I use a santi 400BZ or a Arctic, in both cases I use a Santi heated vest as well and often an extra layer.
I do long dives (1-2 hours), moving not a lot (photographer) in 38-47°F (3-8°C) water and I don't like to be cold.
 
I also dive a D7 and use a fourth element Arctic undergarment. The Arctic when worn on top of a polar tec base layer has kept me relatively comfortable in water down to 38 degrees for up too an hour. Any longer and you will want more.
 

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