The Xcel is pretty stretchy the Pinnacle not so much. I personally only dive hooded suits to me a separate hood or hooded vest is to bulky at the neck since you have the hood then the neck seal on the wetsuit. My wife always complained about the neck being tight on her wetsuits so I put a soccer ball in it when stored and now it has stretched a little and no more complaints.
7mm Wetsuit recommendations
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The Xcel is pretty stretchy the Pinnacle not so much. I personally only dive hooded suits to me a separate hood or hooded vest is to bulky at the neck since you have the hood then the neck seal on the wetsuit. My wife always complained about the neck being tight on her wetsuits so I put a soccer ball in it when stored and now it has stretched a little and no more complaints.
CJFor
Registered
+1 for the Hollis NeoTek Semi-dry
60plus
Contributor
See post #14. I have seen several divers in these OThree suits and they really like them and get into them easily, seem very stretchy. If they did one in my size / fit I would probably have bought one. I can get in and out of a 5XL fairly easily and have dived in smaller but I have very wide shoulders, large chest and long back. To accommodate my back length and bend comfortably the TommyD I got is 6 XL. Its good on my back, shoulders and hips but slightly slack on my stomach and front of my chest. The legs are a bit firm (I have big calves) and I will lube them to get them right up. The legs are too long (I expected this) and I will either cut the zipped portion off or get it moved up. Quality - The neoprene is quite firm but seems porous (high % of open cell ?) but I have not tested it yet. Stitching seems good and the zips operate smoothly. Even if I spend another £50 having the legs adjusted that still means I have a well fitting suit for about £150. Thats a fraction of a made to measure wetsuit (£430) or a drysuit (£900 to £1,000)
AfterDark
Contributor
U
Been diving south eastern MA and RI since 1968 I use 7MM Farmer John Neosports, or Henderson. Between 60Fand 55F I add a 2mm hooded vest. Below 55F a 4MM crushed neoprene dry suit. Our suits get all torn up diving around here. Better to pay less than more. I've got 2 3MM Sterns I bought at Job Lot $20.00 ea! I use 1 here to snorkel with Mrs. AD and for diving in NC and FL. The other I made into a 3MM Farmer John bottom for the diving during the warmer summers here.
If you are diving northern MA, Mass. Bay, Cape north shore then I'd recommend the 2mm hooded vest also. I know you don't want to hear it but that really is dry suit territory.
Been diving south eastern MA and RI since 1968 I use 7MM Farmer John Neosports, or Henderson. Between 60Fand 55F I add a 2mm hooded vest. Below 55F a 4MM crushed neoprene dry suit. Our suits get all torn up diving around here. Better to pay less than more. I've got 2 3MM Sterns I bought at Job Lot $20.00 ea! I use 1 here to snorkel with Mrs. AD and for diving in NC and FL. The other I made into a 3MM Farmer John bottom for the diving during the warmer summers here.
If you are diving northern MA, Mass. Bay, Cape north shore then I'd recommend the 2mm hooded vest also. I know you don't want to hear it but that really is dry suit territory.
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I dove a Neosport 7mm for 4 years. It's fine for the price, but I think you're better off spending more and getting a better suit. I upgraded to an Xcel, much better fit, better quality, and much warmer. The attached hood is very nice. I now dive a drysuit until the air temps get into the 80's, then usually I'll go back to the Xcel wetsuit unless water temps dictate otherwise.
OP
RhodeDiver
Contributor
I would like to thank everyone for their input on this matter. So after much consideration and looking at everyone's suggestions (I did look into everything suggested.) I am going to be boring and go with the know commodity of getting another Pinnacle Cruiser 7mm.
I dive Maine waters in a SEAC 7mm semi-dry that I like very much. Warm, comfortable and durable.
Michael Guerrero
Contributor
Your diving is not that dissimilar from northern California. I dive an Aquaflite 7mm, with an optional hooded shorty, and with the OceanLiner (semi-dry) lining. Totally worth it.
Uber Dave
Contributor
I'm looking to get a new 7mm myself. I'm big scubapro fan and Leisure Pro has the new 2018, 7mm Steamer for 390.00. You might want to look into it
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