Freediving vs. Surf suit

[Lockedin]

I have a :duh question:

This Spring, I'll be in the market for a new suit. Thus far, I've only had two types of wetsuits: Surfing suits (usually 3/2mm Ripcurl Ultimate Elasto), and SCUBA diving suits (Excel 6.5mm Polartec one piece).

What makes a freediving suit so different?

The Excel is much bulkier and stiffer (6.5mm sturdy, but stiff neoprene). Also the chest zip leaks a bit. :rcard Construction is good, nylon jersey on both sides, glideskin face, wrist, and ankle seals.

Ripcurl's suits (especially the Elasto series) are unbelievably stretchy, pretty well constructed, and warm, nylon jersey on both sides, polypropylene hollow fiber in the chest, glued & taped seams. - Though they do tend to disintegrate after 3 years of 2-5 sessions a week (Ocean only).

Given those two examples, what will the primary differences be, when compared to a freediving suit?

How thick of a suit will get me through the So Cal Winter (Water to 45f at the Channel Islands - California)?

Thanks

Rick

 

[Pinggene]

Rick,

Review the posts/forums already out there. Much info has already been discussed. Most freedivers/spiros suggest open cell inner (requires lube to put on) and nylon (more durable) or smooth skin (less durable) outer.

There are some linings for the inner (in lieu of open cell), but the feedback has been mixed. Most feel that the open cell is still warmer, and the way to go.

I live in Wisconsin, and am planning on getting a custom made Elios 5 mm for Christmas. (see www.eliosub.com).

As you prepare, don't forget good socks (7mm) and 3 fingered gloves (5mm) (for the cold).

Gene

 

[Fondueset]

What he said and - freediving suits generally are open cell - possibly with a coating on the cell - usually not with fabric. Nylon out is best for durabiity - smooth out is warmer in wind and more streamlined, but more fragile.

Freediving suites are normally high waist pants (not farmer john) for ease of breathing, integrated hood and no zippers. Open cell suits - even with a coating - require lubrication to get into - usually dilute hair conditioner. They are often custom made. The neoprene is very high quality, soft and comfortable.

I dove all last winter in my 5 mil freediving suit - also by Eliossub - and it gets very cold here in the winter.

I've been diving here in my 5 mil this year and so far the water is down around 40F. It'll be down to 36 or whatever the minimum fresh water can get is shortly. I'd say if you are planning on long dives at 45F get a 6 or 7 mil. I've just gotten a new 6 mil as my winter suit.

 

[shoutatthesky]

When you talk of smooth skin outer - well I have seen the smooth skin which seems to be just neoprene with no fabric coating. What about these suits that seem to be the norm for competition with a silver appearance. What sort of coating is this?

 

[Fondueset]

Not sure but I think it's just a painted on finish. Fabric is generally best for recreational diving - my new suit is smooth on the top with fabric bottoms and kneepads.

 

[shoutatthesky]

I have a 6.5 double lined jump suit for scuba but want one specifically for performance freediving

 

[STINKYDIVER42]

Hi I'm Tom,

What you guys are talking about is a triathalon style suit(ie; quintana roo) which I own a few for spearing and snorkeling. You have to be careful because there are different levels but the same gauge(difference being cell consistancy). Some are for swimmers to keep them bouyant while some for sub-surface swimming(freedive suit).

Try the quintana roo site as it does give less resistance in the water and is a light suit and they do run small as they are supposed to be super tight. It is definately my fave for freediving but is only my opinion...good luck...

Tom(u.s.a.)

 

[Lockedin]

To follow up (two years later ):

The 3/2mm Ripcurl went through a rock assisted, custom ventilation program.:crutch As Winter was approaching I ran into an old friend who was getting his second surf shop up and running. He offered me a USD$400 O'neill Mutant 4/3mm (The collar zips off, and a hood zips on) for nearly half price. Thus far, (having used the suit for mostly surfing, but a few dives past 20m), the suit is by far the warmest, and most flexible I've owned:inlove (far warmer than the 6.5mm Polartec mentioned in my first post on this thread). It's also my driest suit yet. I find myself getting squeezed on the first few dives of every session. Letting water in through the chin helps...

Interestingly, I only require an additional 1Kg of weight when diving, even though the suit is considerably thicker than my 3/2mm - smaller bubbles in the neoprene, or more density on my end?rofl

This evening's night surfing session was perfectly comfortable, even a bit too warm while paddling back from long waves, despite cooler than average water (51ºf/10.5ºc water, 57ºf/14ºc air + 15kts of COLD wind). The downside is that I need to stretch thouroughly just to get in and out of the thing. Entry / exit is through the multi layered neck opening.

If this thing is so warm, I can only imagine what a nice Elios, or Picasso 5mm would be like. Now if I can just convince the missus...

 

[Pav]

I retire my surf suits for Spearfishing. I also have a freedive/spearfish cressi suit.

The freedive/spearfishing suits are LOADS warmer than any comparable thickness surfers suit... and about half the price!!

Middle of the summer I often will spearfish in last years surf suit as the diving suit is too warm. Also surfers suits are a lot more fun to put on / take off. Stand on it!, stretch it, balance on the rocks taking it off, and you'll be unlucky to damage it.. if you do easy to repair. Chuck it in the boot covered in sand, leave it for a week and then stick it back on (stinking). no problems.

I wouldn't choose a surfers suit over a proper freedive/spearfish suit BUT if you surf you may as well make use of last years winter suit during the summer for freediving.

Freedive suits - cheaper than top spec surf suits, they don't smell as bad, harder to put on, more likely to damage if your heavy handed, warmer by loads.... and you look a bit more like james bond, esp. in camo rofl

 

[Newbie_spearo]

Hi Rick,

I was asking the same questions about 2 months ago and when I spoke to shop owners they told me the following: 1) Spearfishing/Diving suits are designed to trap the water in the suit so your body heats it up and this then keeps you warm. Surfing suits seem to allow water to get in and out a little easier as you don't really want to pop up on the surf board and still have 2 or 3 liters of water trapped in your suit. As a result they tend to not keep you as warm.
2) Most spearfishing/Diving suits have an open cell or metallite lining which is designed to keep you warmer again. Surfing suits don't have this as they need to be a little more durable.

Thats about it. I was told I could dive in a ripcurl 3/2 elastomax quite comfortably during summer but no way in hell I'd be able to spend more than 15mins in the water in winter and our temps only get down to like 12 deg. C. in winter. Oh and last but not least most spearfishing suits are 2 piece and if you use farmer johns you are getting twice the thickness covering your core which will again keep you warmer.

 

[sanso]

Hey folks,

for one, I don't believe the makers of surfing suits, that letting the water in is intended behaviour, it's just that they can't do it any better with that huge zipper those suits have that will allways let water in (and the waterproof kind don't make sense here, either). But that's another issue.

Getting water in the suit is definitely not intended behaviour for any suit, as staying dry will keep You even warmer than heating up the water in Your suit and losing body heat in the process.
The good thing is, that with a well-made spearfishing/freediving suit, You actually hardly get wet at all. - In my elios, it takes somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes before I notice water entering the suit and most of the time I get out of the water with a dry chest and thighs.
Having an open cell inner plays a big part in this, as the open neoprene cells act like tiny suction cups, clinging to Your skin and thus each building a little barrier against outside water.

So there You go - stay dry

EDIT: geez, so I answer on a two year old thread :head .. Newbie, maybe this helps You at least.

 

[Lockedin]

The O'neill I mentioned (Mutant) is dry in the chest and back, even after a 1.3hr session in 6ft surf.

Sanso - that model of suit does not use an entry / exit zip - the zippers (there are two) are only for switching out the hood for a collar. The particular suit that I have also uses minimal stitching (puncturing the material), instead opting for glued, and sealed seams. Check out the pic in my last post.

Interestingly, the suit suctions to my body unlike any other surf suit that I've had, all fit adjustments must be made while suiting up. Also, the inner jersey is a different material than usual (though the chest has some standard marketing gimmick stuff:hmm).

I am hoping to get my hands on a real freediving suit, if anything, the extra layering in the core area. Surfsuits are one piece, therefore my 4/3mm is only 4mm in the torso, except at the hood / collar attachment. Where a 4mm freediving spearing suit will have 8mm in the core (torso) area. And the open cell being warmer does make a lot of sense.

Again, thanks to all for your input, hopefully soon I'll have a report about how incredibly warm and flexible my new suit is; till then, I gotta go pay my taxes...:blackeye

 

[Erik]

There is NO comparison between a freediving suit and any other. If you want to maximize your performance and stay in the water longer, then get a custom freediving suit.
And any salesman that says that wetsuits are supposed to trap water should not be selling dive gear as they are idiots! Very simple physics here. An old myth that I thought had disappeared, but apparently there are a few flat-Earth types still kicking around hahaha!
A proper suit wont have any water or air in it... both are unwanted for a freediver. Usually one dive will allow any air trapped to vent, then the suit sticks to your skin, assisted by the lotion you have applied to the inside.

Good luck with the new gear Rick!