Made to measure? What thickness?

[H. Gatherer]

I have been spearfishing on and off for a few years using a surfing wetsuit (mainly in Dorset). This wetsuit is now totally knackered and I want to invest in a proper 'spearo' suit. I know very little about these - beyond what I have gleaned from the various websites.

My principal questions are: Is it worth getting a custom made suit, I am not a particularly unusual shape/size - but at the same time a lot of these suits seem to be Euro and I don't trust their sizes? (Assuming I buy online).

I intend to go out all year round in UK waters (South West) - will a 5mm do the job or would something a little thicker be required?

Camo/non-camo?

Best makes for value/quality/service etc?

Very grateful for any advice.

[spearheads]

I use a custom elios suit from spearo its great 180 pounds for made to measure or 160 for standard the 20 pounds is worth it as you no it will fit nice and snug.
Elios are veary popular and they are high quality suits.

[foxfish]

Forum member Dave will help you www.spearo.co.uk

[H. Gatherer]

Thanks spearheads & Foxfish, I will have a chat with Dave as you suggest.

[rslomkow]

In my experience the two big wins from custom are:

1) more warmth at any given thickness
2) more mobility at any given thickness

off the shelf are generally just as durable to scratches. The off the shelf are also more likely to have knee plastic and be cheaper.

Very elastic suits are warmer for the first year (because they fit tight) but as they stretch overtime and lose their warmth faster thans stiff neoprenes (2-3 years). Once again I would buy a super stretchy neoprene for a stock suit and get a stiffer (Heiwa, Yamoto) for a custom made.

My understanding is that Camo is really a fashion. Maybe some reef fish respond to color patterns, but jungle camo doesn't really match most places where people hunt.

I am slightly unusually shaped and generally prefer 1peice suits.

I consider 5mm as thick as you want for Freediving/Spearfishing because of mobility concerns. A 7mm is just too stiff, and absolutly get a custom one if you really need a 7mm, since most of them hold you arms down, and make aiming harder.

I love my custom Elios suit, super easy to get into *and* nice and warm.

[Spaniard]

Originally Posted by H. Gatherer

I have been spearfishing on and off for a few years using a surfing wetsuit (mainly in Dorset). This wetsuit is now totally knackered and I want to invest in a proper 'spearo' suit. I know very little about these - beyond what I have gleaned from the various websites.

My principal questions are: Is it worth getting a custom made suit, I am not a particularly unusual shape/size - but at the same time a lot of these suits seem to be Euro and I don't trust their sizes? (Assuming I buy online).

I intend to go out all year round in UK waters (South West) - will a 5mm do the job or would something a little thicker be required?

Camo/non-camo?

Best makes for value/quality/service etc?

Very grateful for any advice.

If you are buying one suit only then go for a 5mm. You will get cold with a 3mm in early/late season and a 7mm is very unwieldly for freediving generally. MTM suits are now much more affordable than they used to be so go for it. Elios seems to be a good choice based on what others say. I have always been lucky in that the 'standard' suit sizes fit me very well and have liked Sporasub and Cressi suits. Dave at Spearo will sort you out.

[eckaflx]

I own a 5mm Cressi Technica suit for spearfishing/freediving. It cost £125 and I love it. It has a tough, durable outer that is resistant to tearing with reinforced knees and elbows with a soft open-cell inner - very flexable and warm. Its an 'off the shelf' size and fits me like a glove. Its good for well over an hour at 7 deg and much longer if you are working hard. Should take you right through a British winter no probs. I've hammered mine for two years and its just starting to bobble where my weight belt sits - got plenty of life left in it.