Choosing a 7mm

[drk5036]

How much are you looking to spend on the suit?

 

[MikadoWu]

How much are you looking to spend on the suit?

As much as needed, as little as possible. Med School is expensive.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Good Info here. I found a Bare Reactive 7mm last night for $300, that I was debating on till I saw your post. Do you think there would be that much of a difference between the Reactive 7mm and a 8/7 Velocity semi dry? Never really looked into Semi-Dry before. I already have Hood (bald head loves warmth), Gloves at 7mm, Boots are 6.5mm.

The semi dry will be quite a bit warmer because there will be less water transfer due to the fact it uses a drysuit zipper, the hood is attached and it has better wrist and ankle seals.
8/7 Velocity Ultra - BARE Wetsuits and Drysuits

What also helps is if you take a thermos of hot water with you and pour it down your wet suit just before you jump in.

 

[Ben_3]

Maybe a fourth element wet suit? I like the bare reactive, only heard good comments on those.

 

[drk5036]

Maybe a fourth element wet suit? I like the bare reactive, only heard good comments on those.

Bare reactive is the best way to go for a wetsuit, but even at leisurepro is 540 dollars. A seaskin neoprene drysuit starts at 526 dollars (before shipping/duty). Similar price point...

 

[MikadoWu]

The semi dry will be quite a bit warmer because there will be less water transfer due to the fact it uses a drysuit zipper, the hood is attached and it has better wrist and ankle seals.
8/7 Velocity Ultra - BARE Wetsuits and Drysuits

What also helps is if you take a thermos of hot water with you and pour it down your wet suit just before you jump in.

Bare reactive is the best way to go for a wetsuit, but even at leisurepro is 540 dollars. A seaskin neoprene drysuit starts at 526 dollars (before shipping/duty). Similar price point...

I did a a bunch of reading and tried pricing the Semi Dry Suite. In the end I purchased the Bare Reactive. I found a brand new 7mm for under $300 that I could not pass up. Will I pay for it physically in a few months... Maybe. But I figure at the price I paid, I can recover most the money on ebay for it.

Thank you all for the helpful information.

 

[drk5036]

I did a a bunch of reading and tried pricing the Semi Dry Suite. In the end I purchased the Bare Reactive. I found a brand new 7mm for under $300 that I could not pass up. Will I pay for it physically in a few months... Maybe. But I figure at the price I paid, I can recover most the money on ebay for it.

Thank you all for the helpful information.

A bare reactive 7 mm for 300 bucks is a great deal and a useful suit! It’ll be useful over a pretty wide temperature range... you might even find you'll like it at ~23-24 degree range. If you find yourself in the future doing a lot of sub 15C diving, you can also opt for a dry suit with all the bells and whistles. I think you’ll be happy with your decision.

 

[tridacna]

Hello all,

I will be heading up to Lake Ontario to do some diving in May early June. With my daughter moving up there from Florida, this will be a annual thin for a couple year.

In Florida I dive a Bare 3 or 5mm Medium/Large Short Wet-suit. I am 5'7" 180 lbs with an athletic build.

My Boots and hood are 4th Elements, who make the only 4E wide boot for my feet.

Would purchasing another Bare do me well, or is there a better one for that environment?

What are the thoughts on the Reactive v the Velocity, Worth the money? Just not sure about dressing like Tron.

Thanks,

Which Fourth Element is EEEE?

Info please...?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I did a a bunch of reading and tried pricing the Semi Dry Suite. In the end I purchased the Bare Reactive. I found a brand new 7mm for under $300 that I could not pass up. Will I pay for it physically in a few months... Maybe. But I figure at the price I paid, I can recover most the money on ebay for it.

Thank you all for the helpful information.

I recommend that you get one of these hooded vests to go over your 7mm suit. This is what I dove before I got a drysuit.
7MM Step-in Hooded Vest - BARE Wetsuits and Drysuits

 

[MikadoWu]

Which Fourth Element is EEEE?

Info please...?

I am using the Forth Element Amphibian Boots with the inserts removed. Where there multiple width, I can not 100% say. I called a LDS in Tampa, explained what I was looking for, drove down and we had everything waiting. These are the only boots I have ever used that do not crunch my feet. Being in Florida, I would love to run a tropical boots, but they kill my feet or my baby toe pokes out the side after a few dives. Been using the Amphibian's for just over 2 years now. They say, if you find a mask that fits buy 2, well I am buying a 2nd pair of these.