choosong a new wetsuit

[qai4321]

Hello everybody

Im new to freediving and am trying to navigate my way through choosing a wetsuit. I got lost somewhere between Heiwa and Yamamoto. :head

I'd really appreciate any advice such as whether I would notice the difference as a newbie between the two.

What type of coating to get on the inside if any at all :crutchand well any other advice really.

Thanks....

 

[spaghetti]

First off thank you so much for joining Deeperblue.
Newbie? My honest suggestion is that for now you stay away from smoothskin, that is very delicate to handle: leave more technical stuff such as smoothskin for after you've built up your experience and made up an idea of what you really need for your type opf diving.
I'd start with a coated suit (stretchy nylon in and out, or nylon out/open cell in, as in Dubai I guess that thermic insulation is not such a big issue (correct me if I'm wrong).
As for Heiwa, Yamamoto, Daiwabo, Nam Liong et cetera these are brands of newprene manufactures, as you know, not of suits manufacturers. Inside the Heiwa range or Yamamoto range there are so many different types of newprene that I've given up bothering....DANG :duh

 

[qai4321]

Hah Spaghetti, you have no idea how useful your reply was. I think I will stick to my scuba wetsuit till i know what type of diving im going to be doing. It does get a bit chilly here in the winter ( 20 C ) though and once I get my hands on an actual open cell in, ill know if Ill need it instead of a nylon/nylon.

Dude thanks!

 

[spaghetti]

20C a bit chilly...dude it's snowing here! ;-)

Anyway a scuba suit and a freedive suit are still different things, even when they're both double coated: no zippers, more stretchy coatings (average speaking), more anatomic construction are the pro's of a freedive suit even when comparing two nylon in and out scuba vs. freedive.

 

[qai4321]

understood... what kind of wet suit do you use to freedive 0 degrees?

 

[spaghetti]

understood... what kind of wet suit do you use to freedive 0 degrees?

Don't ask me. Ask Jon . http://forums.deeperblue.com/wisconsin-freedivers-spearos/85258-spearing-clarity-report-2010-a.html

 

[qai4321]

wow! ... Im afraid to.

 

[Jon]

0C? That would be a 5mm (or 6mm) smoothskin outer with opencell (or black shadow) inner lining. :inlove

For your first freediving suit I'd go with a coated inner lining- like a gold or black shadow painted cell. I would also go with a Lycra (super stretch nylon) or regular nylon outer lining. this will give you the best match in strength and warmth. There's no scuba suit that can come close to a freediving suit in comfort and flexibility.

I would also make sure to get an attached hood and high waisted pants- not farmer john style as it makes it harder to breath-up.

I've had both yamamoto and Heiwa suits. My current favorites are the Heiwa from a durability stand point.

3mm should be more than enough thickness for where you dive.

Jon

 

[qai4321]

Thanks Jon, I have to say you guys have been very welcoming and resourceful. I appreciate the advice.