Elios Gold Lining vs Open Cell & Heiwa vs Econo

[Pinggene]

Hi everyone. Looking for a little advice. I'm in the process of purchasing an Elios custom and am trying to decide between three suits. I live in Wisconsin where the diving can be cold much of the year, so I'm going with a 5mm with a nylon camo outer. But, I'm trying to decide between a few options.

Does the Gold Lining, which makes an Elios Suit easier to put on, decrease the warmth vs an open cell? If you have Gold Lining, do you like it? Is it worth it over the open cell for ease of putting on? Do you stay as warm as in an open cell?

Next, if I do decide to go with Open Cell, I need to decide between Heiwa & Econo. What are your thoughts when comparing these two?

Any input is appreciated.

Pinggene

[feign]

Pinggene,

The open cell will be the warmest, and you will likely still end up using lube to put on the gold lining. In addition, the gold lining costs more, so there is no reason to get it. Spend a little more and get the heiwa. It is softer and just as or more durable. I think your choice of an outside lining is smart.

lee

[Pinggene]

Is there anyone else who could chime in? Thanks.

Gene

[icarus pacific]

I'm a Picasso and DiveSkin wearing kinda guy, but here's my take on your dilemma-

Go for the Haiwa as it stretches a bunch better than any econo rubber and as far as the open cell vs the gold lined, I've had both and the difference was never really that noticeable warmth-wise, most likely because the suits fit me really well after I had them worked on. But in terms of longevity and tear resistance, the Gold lining wins hands down.

I've dove with a few guys that have the Elios suits and you can do a whole lot worse than 'em.

[Jon]

I would, and have gone with, the Heiwa rubber. Opencell is warmer, and cheaper than the gold lining. If you want a lining, to make it easier to put on, I would go with their Black Shadow lining instead of the gold- I've owned both.

Once you know how to put a suit on you can just go with the opencell inner suit all the time- again it's warmer and cheaper.

Jon

[Fondueset]

I concur - I'm not familiar with the gold lining - my suit is black shadow and has held up very well. I gaffed it up in the begining by trying to use minimal lube - unless you get a fabric lining - with a significant cost in warmth - you have to use lube regardless of the coating.

[Bill]

",,,,,,unless you get a fabric lining - with a significant cost in warmth - you have to use lube regardless of the coating.

I bought an Elios suit with nylon out and copper coating in. It's very easy to put on with no lube. If you use a small thin plastic bag like the one you get from all stores, it slides on dry.
Aloha
Bill

[Fondueset]

That sure didn't work with my black shadow suit. Is yours open cell inside or smooth inside?

[badlander]

i have a 5mm Elios with camo nylon outer and open cell inner.It's really worth it for the warmth and getting the suit on and off after a couple goes is easy,just a 2 litre bottle with some hair conditioner and she just slides on.Go for it,you won't regret it.

[Bill]

The Elios is smooth copper color inside. I also have an old suit with platinum lining that works the same way

[iceselkie]

I'd probably go with open cell too, as I have a suit with coating and still use conditioner to put it on (plain water or sweat and it just sticks, then one has to grasp at it which strains the seams IMHO). Outside is where you want the durability. I'd even wear kneepads, if you do a lot of crawling around. Get Elios to send some samples/clippings of the other kinds of neoprene combinations they have, so you have an idea of the differences, because they absolutely will.

[Pinggene]

Thank you to everyone for the advice. It is driving me crazy not to be able to dive right now...water too cold for my cheap 3mm nylon inner/outer. I can't wait until I get the suit.

It's decided...5mm, Open cell, Nylon outer with Brown/Green camo.

Thanks again.

Jon, please be certain to post directions on how to get to the winter dive site 2nd weekend in Feb...I hope to be able to be there.

Gene

[Jon]

Gene,

That sounds like a geat suit to get. If you were afraid about getting cold under the ice you could add one of their 2mm vest, since the suit should be a "high waisted" design, for added warmth. I bought the vest for one of my suits but never needed it with any of my thicker suits. I have used it with my 3mm suits to extended my 3mm suits down into the 50 degree water range.

I'll post more details later on, but if you just look up Lake Nagawicka on some mapping site you'll see that we use the Public boat house on the south east end of the lake- pretty hard to miss.

Jon

[Pinggene]

John,

You would go with a high waisted vs Farmer? If yes, why? I thought the farmer would add an extra layer of warmth.

I have a 3mm hooded vest that should be good for the extra cold if needed.

Thanks for the help,

Gene

[Jon]

High waisted pants make it much easier to breath than farmer john's.

If you use your own vest you'll have to cut the hood off to make it fit under your new suit- since the hood will/should be attachd to the jacket.

Jon