School a newbie on wetsuits please...

[Neilwood]

Regarding front versus back zip - I find back zip easy to use because you can pull that leash up and then velcro the flap over the top of the zipper & leash - taking it off is easy. The front zip appears to be a good idea until you're trying to take it off and you realize you have to get that first shoulder out of a wet wetsuit. You might need an assist. But that's me. Try on both and see what feels good for you.

As you say back is actually easier normally because you can grab the neck, pull forward and ease the suit of your arms (I normally roll mine down which effectively turns it inside out) whereas with the front you need to somehow get the shoulder out before you can wriggle out of it. There is a good reason that 90+% of the worlds wetsuits are rear entry.

 

[nolatom]

It's hard to go wrong with a 3mm full suit, it's the "Chevy Malibu" of scuba wear. Hardly anyone gets "too warm" during a dive, but we often get too cold. ;-)

 

[TerryC]

I dive Grand Cayman on a regular basis as to full or shorty I always use a full because of stingy things as to weight/thickness that depends on you my wife wears a dive skin while I wear a 3MM I get cold quickly.
As to brands that's a whole other thing completely that I never worry much about it seems to me that all the "Brand" name ones are similar in quality at the same price point. I have an old "TEC" 3MM which is over 15 years old and just now starting to show significant wear it's not even a name brand.
Fit is the most important thing too tight and it gets very restrictive and uncomfortable too loose and it won't keep you warm.

I would NOT buy a wetsuit on Cayman the few stores that carry them have a limited selection and their pricing is easily 50% + more than you can get one in the states.

Excellent advice as always.
All the good manufacturers make excellent 3mm full suits, the best ones are obviously the most expensive but price does buy you a quality, long lasting, comfortable fitting suit.
My own 3mm full suit is a Scubapro Everflex (with Zip), expensive but comes in 17 sizes so being "short and round", i can actually get a good fit!
For unbiased advice on buying a warm water wetsuit have a look at this article. Lots of details and no distracting adverts.

 

[Steve_C]

In the Cayman's I dove a shorty over a 1.5 full (might have been a 1mm not sure). Gave me the full body protection but was not too warm. Also less weight in the suitcase.

 

[purbeast]

Thanks for all of the replies and info it really helps this noob. I definitely am going to go with a full suit and a 3mm.

As for trying them on, do you think it is even worth ordering a couple different sizes from Leisure Pro and trying them on myself? In the past when I ordered booties they were very cool about letting me get 2 pairs and returning one of them. My only concern is that I don't have a SCUBA expert looking at the fit on me to tell me if it's a good fit or not.

 

[GreggS]

Surely you can find a dive shop or 2 in the DC area so that you can try some on in the shop. That would be more practical than ordering a couple of wetsuits, trying them on, and then having to return one or both. And sizing will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Normally, you will need a larger size in a wetsuit than you will regular clothing. For example, I wear XL clothes, but have to buy 3XL wetsuits.

As for fit, you want a wetsuit to be a little snug but not too tight. You don't want it so tight that it cuts off circulation or causes pain. By the same token, you don't want it too loose as it won't serve its purpose, which is to restrict the flow of water between it and your skin, which heats the water inside the wetsuit somewhat, and keeps you warmer.

Good luck with your search. I agree with what others have said. A full suit offers more protection and a good versatile thickness is 3mm. I use a Henderson Thermaxx for most of my diving, which is good for both warmer ocean diving and colder quarry diving.

 

[Zef]

Just wondering why you are sure you want a 3mm suit? I would recommend you consider a 5mm suit...it will expand the temperature range you can comfortably dive and if you do multiple dives in a day it will aid in your overall warmth related comfort during the second, third, and/or fourth dives. The tendency is that one looses body heat with each dive and if it windy or you are on a boat moving between sites you may not fully recover your internal temperature...this makes it more critical to have a few extra mm of insulation.

Also, remember that your suit will compress as you descend which means your suit will lose some of its insulating properties...having a slightly thicker suit on the surface may pay you dividends at depth.

Just a thought.

-Z

 

[Bowers]

i prefer full for the previously mentioned reasons. you can also wear it with hood, boots and gloves comfortably in pretty chilly water (5mm can be nice too as zef mentioned). as for fit, it varies but usually they are stretchy enough that even if you dont line up with all the measurements on the size chart, it can still fit well.

yes, the holiday sales are a great time to buy!

as for dive computers, i bought my wife the mares puck pro for $140 and it works as well as my other $300+ computer.

 

[nolatom]

Yes, you can "accessorize" the 3 mil for cooler conditions with a hoodie vest, nice warm winter gloves (or Playtex under your tropical gloves, be a cheapskate), and a swim cap or two under the hoodie vest. As Mom used to say, keep your hands, head, and feet warm, and the rest of you will forget it's cold.

*some Moms, anyway..

 

[purbeast]

Just wondering why you are sure you want a 3mm suit? I would recommend you consider a 5mm suit...it will expand the temperature range you can comfortably dive and if you do multiple dives in a day it will aid in your overall warmth related comfort during the second, third, and/or fourth dives. The tendency is that one looses body heat with each dive and if it windy or you are on a boat moving between sites you may not fully recover your internal temperature...this makes it more critical to have a few extra mm of insulation.

Also, remember that your suit will compress as you descend which means your suit will lose some of its insulating properties...having a slightly thicker suit on the surface may pay you dividends at depth.

Just a thought.

-Z

I really have no interest in diving in any types of cold water. It's going to be in the Caribbean for the most part and then down in the Keys. If I made it out to Hawaii I'd do it out there too.

I just figure that 3mm would suit best for the waters I expect to be diving in, and if I end up in a colder water place, I could rent a shortie to put over top of it.