lycra-lined smoothskin - dual purpose for depth + spearfishing

[Apneaddict]

I'm looking for a dual-purpose warm-water suit for depth and spearfishing.

The best I've been able to come up with is a lycra-lined smoothskin reversible suit.

Smooth-out for dean's blue hole, Dahab, etc... and lycra out for catching dinner without too much risk of shredding my suit...

No kneepads or loading pad are possible (no guns allowed in 1/2 of the Caribbean anyhow) given that it's reversible.

3mm should be warm enough for these climates.

Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Also, what's it like putting on a lycra-lined suit if it's wet? Is it easy in the water? Does conditioner help get a wet, lined suit on?

 

[Herup]

Hi AA

Guess it´s the cheapest solution. But as you probably figured out it´s also a two-way compromise, so two suits would be the optimal solution
What about a smooth skin/opencell with local reinforcement maybe? It looks a little funny but it has been done by many manufactures. Marea makes a cool version.
I have a 3mm Elios super smooth with black nylon on the other side. Its used exactly like you describe. Its warmer with the smooth side in, and more pleasant to wear like that. Wet nylon is quite a hassle to get on, but it dries fast enough in the sun (though UV degrades it faster). Haven't tried with shampoo solution and nylon.

Looking forward to hear what you decide.

Best regards.
H!

 

[x_yeti]

Just a word of caution about lycra... keep it well away from velcro.

 

[Bill]

I've been doing the reverse thing with an 3mm Oceaner. It is a lot stronger than I thought but on and off, wet, Lycra in, you need to do it in the water or carefully with help. After a lot of use you will still be able to use it in the pool or tropical spear fishing and the second suit can be a full competition version.

 

[Apneaddict]

I dive locally (Toronto, Canada) with a 5mm and like my smooth skin open cell top and open cell with nylon outer lined pants.

For the warmth (vacation Freediving) I'm looking for a 3mm that suits most needs.

I have practice suits, competition pool suits, etc.

I'm thinking that I'll go smoothskin and lycra lined for dual-purpose. If its warm... Smooth skin out. For most diving and pole-spear shooting I'll likely use smooth skin out up top and smooth skin in down below.

The legs get beat up most and the hydrodynamics are most important up top (frontal area drag). Also - if you had to pee, better to be smooth skin in, than Lycra!

For a personal best attempt or if it's really hot... Smooth out all the way.

Another more expensive option would be Elios diamond mesh skin, but it'd have less choice in terms of temperature combinations and likely tear a bit easier than a Lycra lining. Neat camo options though.

I just want a dual-purpose, inexpensive warm-water vacation suit... But don't want an outer lining if I'm taking a Trubridge course, etc.

 

[Bill]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Don't worry about using the 'suit warmer' in tropical water, just take the suit off before you get out. The best dive instructor in the world told me that but she never admitted doing it for that purpose.