Desperately need a better 7mm wetsuit.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I have used one of these (really, it's a semi-dry) a few times and it was GREAT for winter diving here in AZ (chilly, fresh water in the mid- to upper 50s) A bunch of the instructors and DMs I dive with use the same suit. They are very warm, very little leakage with remarkable stretch throughout. Nearly idenitcal suit is sold under Aqualung branding.

I have one and I like it, but no, it is not a semi-dry nor does it claim to be.

It does look like one and has decent seals, but the water does fully penetrate the suite within a matter of a few minutes. In a proper semi-dry, water will only penetrate part of the way even after a 60 minute dive leaving a layer of air next to your skin on your core. A proper semi-dry is also a lot most costly, more difficult to don/doff and fit is critical.

 

[Ciphex]

Hey fellas,

Not to deviate from the topic, but of the semi-dry suits available now- which do you recommend? Like the fella who started this thread, I'm looking for a new suit. I'm leaning towards an ONeill J-Series but the Henderson thermoprene semi-dry looks good also.

 

[drbill]

I almost always dive with a hooded vest under either my 3/2 or my 7 mm wetsuits. The only time I don't use one is when I'm diving in the tropics. Water temps here in SoCal range from upper 40s to upper 70s (El Nino years).

 

[Hatul]

what I'd try is a 5mm hooded vest inside the Henderson suit.

Adam

 

[fstbttms]

Hey fellas,

Not to deviate from the topic, but of the semi-dry suits available now- which do you recommend? Like the fella who started this thread, I'm looking for a new suit. I'm leaning towards an ONeill J-Series but the Henderson thermoprene semi-dry looks good also.

The Mares Isotherm I bought a couple of winters ago was essentially a drysuit when new. It did admit a little water after some heavy use but still very warm. Two complaints. however:

1.- The Mares suit is real tight across my shoulders. But going the next size up, the suit was just huge on me. And still tight across my shoulders. I think it's sized to fit little Europeans.

2.- The price has really gone up on these suits. So much so that I probably wouldn't buy another, considering the sizing issue I had.

 

[geoffreyweglarz]

What about the ScubaPro Novi Nova Scotia or the Cressi semi dry Atlantis or ice? Any experience with these? I bought a Novia Scotia, but had to sell on eBay because the size was one too small. Never got to dive in it.