Help to pick a 3mm wetsuit - Pinnacle vs Henderson

[s.s.seafan]

Hi,

Being new in the hobby, I thought I'd put off buying a wetsuit till later, after I get a chance to dive in the sea next week. But I just found out that the resort I will go does not have full length suit for rent (only shorty), now I have to get one before the trip. After some reading and searching, I've narrowed down to the following two, hope the knowledgeable folks here could help me to pick one, or suggest something in the same price range -

1. Pinnacle 3mm Venture Titanium Jumpsuit ($124)

3mm Titanium material throughout for superior warmth
Back Zip with Leash (pull cord)
Great flexibility
Internally reinforced seam intersections for added durability
Hidden Key pocket
Smoothskin neck seal helps keep cold out
O-ring wrist seals
Molded rubber knee pads

2. Henderson Thermoprene 3mm Full Suit - 2007 ($97)

Lycra Trim
Glued and Sewn Seams
Back Zip
Adjustable Collar

The 2nd one being a 3-year-old model, seems to be a good value buy as the current model costs over $200. But I read somewhere on the board that the more stretch there is, the less insulating - is that true in this case? I'll be diving warm water mostly (Caribean, Hawaii etc), but possibly in winter too, so I hope to get the warmest 3mm. The "glued and sewn seams" sound like more durable? but the first one seems to have more good features?

thanks,

Jason

 

[Pullmyfinger]

With the temperature range that you'll be diving a 3mm suit in,
The extra construction features won't really matter that much.
They'll make more difference in cold temps(5 and 7mm suits).
That being said, I have a Pinnacle Seal 3mm merino suit. All
seams are glued and stiched, intersections are reinforced.
All inner seams are smooth. Pinnacle makes an awesome suit.
My wife has a Henderson gold suit (3mm), which she loves.
I feel the Pinnacle is a better constructed suit in terms of seam
Construction and the neck collar.
But the Henderson is a nice suit as well.
In the 3mm temp range the extra features aren't as critical.
Get the one that fits best.