7mm open cell in the range of 15-20 Celsius

[Gerola]

Hi and respect to the whole Community!


I am wondering how does it feel to wear a 7mm opencell custom made wetsuit, when the sea temperature is about 15-20 celsius degrees.
If you have experience with this kind of circumstances, please share it!
Opinions about heiwa hydro reppellent are welcome too.

My "story":
Beside some snorkeling, some yt videos and of course Big Blue I haven'got a clue about freediving. Sadly I turned to this astonishing sport when reading about Nicholas Mevoli's death last November.
Since then I have read a lot about the history and heroes of freediving, have found the forum and reading it all the time.

I started practicing apnea, dry and dynamics. Gained some confidence, made pb 54 m DNF. Experienced some further exercises. Have done my CMAS**.

Right now I am just about to order a wetsuit.

I live in Norway at the westcoast, where sea temperatures should peak in the range 15 to 20 celsius during summer. Diving in the wintertime surely needs a 7mm opencell suit, but wouldn't it be too hot at those relativly warm degrees. In this case an other alternativ showes up: to buy a 5mm suit and one 2-3 mm to have under when needs and use it in the pool. I remember Eric Fattah stated 3+3 is more then 6.

I undertand that cold tolerance is individual and I know that I tend to get cold practicing dnf in speedos after 15 minutes in 30 C.

Thank you for reading it and
To you who made the effort to learn the language: excuse me for bad english

Roland

 

[Gerola]

ok no respons here. i bought this suit and tried it few times. for me at 20 Co see temprature is absolutly ok.

 

[NoFair]

Just saw this (wasn't a member when you first posted it)

Which suit did you go for?

I normally use a 3 mm in summer since I get too hot in my old 7mm (southern coast of Norway). Plan on getting a custom 5 mm this fall.

 

[Gerola]

I went for the 7mm open cell custom made suit. I am happy with it. During this warm summer 5mm would be the perfect choice but with some tricks (not wearing gloves, let water in, undo the beavertail) it works fine.

 

[foxfish]

Do you find the 7mm restrictive though?

 

[Gerola]

No. This is heiwa soft density open cell inside and hydroreppelent outside. It is tight but stretchy. I wouldn't say it's restrictive but 5mm surely more comfortable. Keep in mind: i am a beginner.