What to wear in 69-70 degree water

[Jandee]

Going on a liveaboard and I'll be diving in 70 degree ocean water. I have a 3/2 full wet suit and hood. Plan to do about 25 dives during the trip. The last time I dove in these conditions I was cold. Would adding Under Armour top and bottoms under my wetsuit do any good. I'm trying to avoid adding a shorty.

 

[Tortuga68]

I'm not familiar with Under Armour - Google says it's 'moisture wicking' which seems a bit pointless under a wetsuit. Check out http://www.fourthelement.com/wet_thermocline_womens.php warm and neutrally buoyant ie you won't need any more weight... you can wear a top and/or bottom under your 3/2

(edited link)

 

[fjpatrum]

I doubt underarmor is going to provide any warmth. When I wear a rash guard it doesn't usually make much difference in warmth. I will say, a hooded vest makes a huge difference for me. I bought a 5/3 (hood/vest) that makes the world of difference in my 4/3 or 3/2 full suit. For $50 from wetsuit warehouse it was more than worth the money.

 

[diver 85]

5 mm full with a ~5 mm hood----& ~ 5 mm gloves, & don't forget the booties, 7 mm there...

and bring a hooded vest along for underneath, just in case(toward the end of the week)....


That would be my best guess, we are all different

 

[Kenny13]

I use 5mm wetsuit, 5mm hood, 4mm gloves, & booties in 68° water and find it very comfortable.

 

[Searcaigh]

Going on a liveaboard and I'll be diving in 70 degree ocean water. I have a 3/2 full wet suit and hood. Plan to do about 25 dives during the trip. The last time I dove in these conditions I was cold. Would adding Under Armour top and bottoms under my wetsuit do any good. I'm trying to avoid adding a shorty.

It's all relative, I am used to warmer water than 21C (=70F) so I wear a 5mm semi dry in these conditions (with hood), particularly if doing multiple dives.

Even at 28C (82.4F) I wear a 3mm and hooded vest if 3 or more dives per day.

 

[Tortuga68]

Guys I think the OP wants to know what he should wear, not what you wear. Different people have different tolerances for temperatures

Anyway, layering is more effective than a single thick suit - and more versatile - and the less buoyancy you add the better

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Going on a liveaboard and I'll be diving in 70 degree ocean water. I have a 3/2 full wet suit and hood. Plan to do about 25 dives during the trip. The last time I dove in these conditions I was cold. Would adding Under Armour top and bottoms under my wetsuit do any good. I'm trying to avoid adding a shorty.

Given that you were cold the last time, I think your best options are (in order of preference) ...

- add a neoprene vest to what you're already using

- get a thicker wetsuit ... a 4/3 or even 5/3

- add the shorty

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Guys I think the OP wants to know what he should wear, not what you wear. Different people have different tolerances for temperatures

I think the OP wants to know what she should wear ... ... and women tend to get cold easier than men ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Tortuga68]

Ah... my apologies to the OP for the gender confusion/assumption. And SHE will find a link to the womens range of Thermocline wear on the link I posted earlier. I think it's a better option than a neoprene vest