3 or 5 mm?

[salibandy]

Hello everyone. I have decided to make an Elios suit, but not sure what thickness to make.

You see, I get cold quite easy. If I'm doing some light swimming, I'll get cold in about an hour. If I'm just hanging around in the pool, the times can be drastically reduced, to maybe 15 or 20 mins.

What thickness do you guys suggest? I want to make a smoothskin/opencell suit, which I've heard is very warm and comfortable. Would a 3 mm suffice, or should I get a 5? I'll be using this suit for training and maybe some competitions in the near future.

Also, is a 5 mm less maneuverable than a 3 mm? Is it harder to stretch one's hands over his head for streamlining? Is it a lot more bouyant?

[Pastor]

In Singapore? A 3mm mate, I get hot in the UK in a 5mm suit, they are very different beasts to the lined surfing suits.

A 3mm will be a little more stretchy and about 40% less buoyant than a 5mm

[salibandy]

Yes, in Singapore. Haha. I have a problem with cold, and it doesn't help that I have little (and I mean little) body fat.

A 3mm you say? Alrighty then, I shall strongly consider that. Thanks!

[Erik]

3mm is lots, especially in a custom Elios. Very manoueverable, even with Medium Heiwa rubber. I'd think even you would overheat in 5mm... lots of divers use 5mm's in 8-10C water and they're fine (although I use a 7mm now).

[Fondueset]

I'd vot 3 mil too. Be careful with smooth out in a pool though - easily scraped up.

[spaghetti]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

I'd vot 3 mil too. Be careful with smooth out in a pool though - easily scraped up.

I agree with my dearest much much beloved best friend Fondueset . Smooth outside is a very technical suit, but delicate as well: might get scraped up both in pools and at sea if you hunt or dive shallow rocky bottoms, coral, up and down from boat...

[salibandy]

Thanks Pastor, Erik, Fondueset and spaghetti (the latter 2 names are making my stomach growl) for your opinions. Regarding the use of it in the pool, I'll just have to be really careful with the suit then, I guess. I don't have money for 2 suits so if this one's gone, I'm gonna be screwed for a while.

[salibandy]

By the way, what material should I get? Freedown or Heiwa?

[octopus]

Tell Elios if you want hands-in-front and they'll make you "monofinning" model.

[Erik]

I say Heiwa medium, and get a nylon outside, or that suit'll explode.

[Fondueset]

I agree - I have a superstretch outside/open in and it is an incredibly durable suit. 3mil smooth out/open in will be very fragile - nylon (superstretch is a very flexible nylon) out is a much better investment for a 3 mil. Without it there is a very good chance you'll blow the suit out. Elios actually advised me against the smooth out/open cell in combo in a 3 mil.

The only reasons for smooth out are that it is much warmer in air when wet and has a little bit less friction. For training you are better off getting a sturdier suit.

[salibandy]

Yea, I initially thought a 3mm smooth/open would be rather delicate, and this confirms my doubts. Though I have to ask, is it really that easy to tear? How about it a 5?

[sanso]

Originally Posted by salibandy

Yea, I initially thought a 3mm smooth/open would be rather delicate, and this confirms my doubts. Though I have to ask, is it really that easy to tear? How about it a 5?

a couple of days ago I saw someone poke their thumb through their brand new pants (3mm/opencell/smooth) while packing the suit. So, yes, they are delicate.

[octopus]

I have 3mm smooth/open and it is delicate, but it is not impossible to handle.
You just need to be careful and have some feeling for force you apply. Take a bit of conditioner, mix it with water, put it into the suit and shake well so all inside of the suit is wet. Then spill that from the suit onto yourself and spread. With proper movement, the suit will slide on/off without too much persuasion.

[Fondueset]

I have a friend who blew out his 3mil open/smooth suit just rolling off a boat.
My suggestion for your suit is get superstretch nylon on the outside. Inside Elios has a number of open cell coatings - really any of them, or just plain open cell, are fine. I have 'black shadow' with the 'new black' coating inside - my dive buddy has the 'titanium' coating - we both dive year round down to 2C water temps in our 5 mils.