1 suit for 15C to 24C?

[rowand]

G'day,

I've been searching and reading posts for days now trying to answer this question-

i'm ordering a suit from elios, and i am trying to figure out if a 3mm high waist pant, 3mm jacket and 2mm vest will be warm enough for 15C water temp?

i'm pretty sure a 5mm will be too warm in 24C ? the other option is 3mm pants and 5mm jacket?

i'm 6 foot tall and 70kg (on the lean side), and i guess you could say i get cold easily, but i've never used a two piece open cell before, and given this will be a custom suit, i am expecting it to be very warm.

if it makes any difference, it will be made with nam liong neoprene. i would go with a better neoprene, but i really like the new mimetic camo (elios said its made by nam liong only)

appreciate your collective thoughts

cheers.

 

[fflupo]

recreational freediving ( 3 hours+):
i use a 5mm freedown for these temperatures up to 23 degrees and a 3mm for more than that but then usually below thermocline it is cold again

training: i use a shorty or none

 

[trux]

At 24C I use either a shorty or nothing for recreational diving, and my custom made 3 mm wetsuit if training depth, or if the surface temperature is lower than some 18C, down to some 12C. The 3 mm wetsuit is fully sufficient, gives you way more freedom than a 5 mm wetsuit, you need less weight, and the change of buoyancy in depth is smaller too. A custom made suit is also much warmer than an equivalent confection model.

Then again, there are immense differences among people in terms of cold tolerance. There are divers who need to use a 7 mm wetsuit in water close to 30C (check posts of Ol Dirty Diver), and others who dive practically naked even under ice (i.e. Fondueset's daughter).

 

[rowand]

Perhaps therein lies the problem- two complete opposite opinions on the matter- makes it hard to make a decision.

i do know that i get cold after a full day diving wearing an old 3/2 surf steamer (full of holes) with a hooded vest at about 24C, so i obviously feel the cold more than you trux.

when i dive it does tend to be an all day affair, in and out of the boat changing spots etc.

the flip side to his question i guess is how many people reckon they would be too hot in a 5mm at 24C?

 

[LachlanWA]

I am diving in Perth with a 5mm Elios. It's definately the right thickness for winter, but it does get a little warm in the summer. I just lift the top at my waist and waft in some cooler water if I'm feeling the heat. You will be glad of the extra thickness in the winter. I do reckon the 3mm pants would be a good idea if you want a compromise. Or you just wear boardies and the top.

 

[Bill]

Lachlan's advice is very good. I wore 6mm suits in the same temps and conditions that you do for 25 years and never had a problem overheating. You'll be comfortable in 15 degrees and the first thing I did was to take off the sox. The next is to undo the beaver tail.

 

[hudasmt]

I wear a 3 mm brown camo open cell titanium inside farmer john pants from Beauchat and a mares brown camo rash guard for summer and wear the tops with hood for winter. If the 3 mm Tops makes you hot in your water temp then just switch to a rash guard. Here's how it looks like: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X0iCaJLWgM]YouTube - Freediving Hudas Part 1[/ame] I hope it helps

 

[rowand]

Thanks guys- i do actually have an old surf steamer that i can chop up and make some 2mm pants out of, so maybe i will order the full 5mm and use the old pants in summer.

lachlan i'm in geraldton, and 15C is about as cold as it gets here- what sort of temp range do you get in perth over the year?

cheers

 

[Mongrel454]

Thanks guys- i do actually have an old surf steamer that i can chop up and make some 2mm pants out of, so maybe i will order the full 5mm and use the old pants in summer.

lachlan i'm in geraldton, and 15C is about as cold as it gets here- what sort of temp range do you get in perth over the year?

cheers

Temps in perth range from Cold-Colder to freakin freezing LOL

I went out on a boat last week and the water temp according to his sounder was 15.6 degrees. I have been shore diving and felt it alot colder but not sure the exact temp....i would say about 12 degrees.
As for summer i would say 22 ish, slightly colder than your max and min.

 

[rowand]

thanks for your input guys.

for the benefit of anyone who searches this forum looking for similar answers, i have decided to go with a full 5mm custom elios.

this way i'm covered for a greater range of temps- full 5mm for dead of winter or diving colder places than where i live, old chopped 3mm surfing wettie for summer pants, and if i venture into warmer waters i will be using my current surfing wettie with a hooded vest (which i already have.

i guess it helps when you surf as well as dive because you end up with an assortment of neoprene at home.

hope this helps others for future reference.

 

[sp9hzx]

I agree.I have always been using 5 mm.All seasons except winter and no problem with overheating.I have 3 mm but I dont know for.I tried it several times doing deep diving but I had to get out very soon.
Cheers