Can I wear a neoprene vest on a rashguard?

[bomberkenny]

Good day everyone, I have a question that has been troubling me all these while. I dive mostly in the warm water, that's why for most of the time a rashguard is enough to dive even deeper until 30 meters. However there are times like early year where water is a bit cold (26 degree celsius) around 20 meters. So my idea is to have a vest over the rash guard, to keep the core of the body warm. The bottom is just a short swimming trunk. Is this a silly idea?

 

[JohnN]

Good day everyone, I have a question that has been troubling me all these while. I dive mostly in the warm water, that's why for most of the time a rashguard is enough to dive even deeper until 30 meters. However there are times like early year where water is a bit cold (26 degree celsius) around 20 meters. So my idea is to have a vest over the rash guard, to keep the core of the body warm. The bottom is just a short swimming trunk. Is this a silly idea?

I always wear my rashguard top under my 3 mm shortie wetsuit.
Two benefits:

• It keeps my arms from getting sunburned
• It spares my divemates from seeing acres of white flesh during the SI

 

[Addicted2H2O]

Not silly at all. Anything you do to keep yourself warm and protect against stings, abrasions, etc. is a good idea. I actually wear a dive skin with a Shark Skin under it and that keeps me plenty toasty in the Caribbean. And I've seen people do exactly what you're talking about.

 

[In2theabyss]

Absolutely you can! I wear one under my wetsuit as well

 

[AdivingBel]

I do it often, generally a hooded vest over a full skin. Works great and an easy way to add a hood.

 

[UFOrb]

Yep, in warm (tropical) water I dive a lavacore vest under a rash guard and O'Neill insulated shorts under board shorts.
This has kept me warm down to 26-27 degrees C. Would probably go with a full length wetsuit for anything below that.

 

[JohnnyC]

Sure. An alternative is the Mako rashguard. It's got a 1mm neoprene front and back, and I find that it works great for those times when it's a little chilly but not quite wetsuit weather.

 

[wstorms]

I prefer the (FE thermocline) on the skin, rash guard on top. Mostly because I wear baggy rash guards that tend to bulk up under a vest. But any order will work for warmth, so just go with any order you prefer

 

[dlofting]

I wear a 3 mil shortie with a long sleeve rash guard underneath. If I need additional warmth I add a 3 mil vest, usually next to my skin.

 

[jadairiii]

In the summer if I am using a scooter I wear a hooded vest over my rash guard. Works great!

There are no "silly ideas" if it keeps you warm!!