Ordering suits from Elios

[Jon]

It only seems to effect me when I wear a bare opencell rubber suit. If the suit has some kind of painted lining over the cell I haven't noticed any problems. I first got clued into it last fall when I switched from my 3mm summer suit, with black shadow lining, to my 6mm winter suit, with bare opencell rubber, and started to get a rash on my arms and upper body after every dive. I thought that maybe the suit was just old, but my new suit, which is also opencell, is causing the same problems with my skin.

I'd hate to have to go back to a nylon lined suit because they are SO much colder than an opencell suit- and staying wamr is pretty important when around here.

Jon

 

[nostres]

It only seems to effect me when I wear a bare opencell rubber suit. If the suit has some kind of painted lining over the cell I haven't noticed any problems. I first got clued into it last fall when I switched from my 3mm summer suit, with black shadow lining, to my 6mm winter suit, with bare opencell rubber, and started to get a rash on my arms and upper body after every dive. I thought that maybe the suit was just old, but my new suit, which is also opencell, is causing the same problems with my skin.

I'd hate to have to go back to a nylon lined suit because they are SO much colder than an opencell suit- and staying wamr is pretty important when around here.

Jon

Jon, did You use the same soap in summer and winter? Maybe it's not the rubber You're allergic to?

 

[Jon]

Same lube as always- although I've switched since I started having problems. The new lube might have helped a little bit, but not enough to be able to put up with a rash for the entire dive season.

 

[Broseidon]

A GUIDE TO ORDER A TAILORMADE ELIOSSUB SUIT

Sebastian

Grat article Sebastian - really wish I'd found this before I ordered!

----

Re my order:

I haven't heard anything from since I ordered (aside from them confirming my order), although I didn't expect to.

I'm going to send them an email at some point next week to see how things are coming along and whether my suit should be here for early June as I asked, they originally gave me a delivery date for around June 18th - but I begged as i'm going on holiday! rofl

 

[Broseidon]

WOW!!! Just got an email from Elios saying that my suits have been shipped!!!

Considering they originally gave me a delivery date of June 18th - they're almost a WHOLE MONTH EARLY!!!!!!!

Super impressed!

Will post pics when they arrive!

 

[Jon]

I tried baby powder and had a little bit better luck than with hair conditioner, but it sure makes a cloud of dust that is hard not to breath in when you're getting suited up.

Next, I tried baby-oil, per Elios's suggestion, and seemed to have had the best luck with this over anything else I've tried.

I still am thinking about a new suit with a coated cell lining. Just trying to decided between Heiwa rubber, which all of my other Elios suits have been made out of, and Yamamoto 45. Anyone have any experience with the 45?

Jon

 

[Stuart]

Hi,

It really depends what you want. My first suit was a 3mm Heiwa low density, which I ordered after extensive research. On this forum it was billed by Eric Fattah as virtually indistructable and that as what swung it for me really. Open cell inner, smooth skin outer. For my first freediving suit it was brilliant and as a regular wear suit I would reccomend it again. I now use it for all my pool work. It is virtually indistructable and you can poke your finger in it very hard with no damage at all.

The Yamamoto is much softer and way more fragile. I got this for my next suit (freedown - actually yamamoto with a nano scs coating) again open cell inner, smooth outer. I always use loads of conditioner and water and still managed to rip it twice in the matter of a few days. I ripped it the first time I put it on, and then a few days later after repair with an even bigger rip around the top of the high waisted pants. Both times it was when I was trying to get it fitting right over my trunks so perhaps going comando might have helped. At least it was Dahab in the winter and not cold and green Dorothea in the winter!

It does fit a bit better and it does feel a bit better and I haven't riped it again - so that's something - and at least it was on the upper part of the high waisted pants, so its also covered by the top. So - if its for deep dives (60m+) and competitions then I would again go with the yamamoto - it stretches more and is easier to breathe up in. It is also faster with the scs coating. Also for those of you that care about these sort of things it is not made from oil, as other neoprenes are but from limestone, so has pretty good green credentials.

If your diving is more modest and your conditions not always perfect then the Heiwa low density is a good option. Or if you just need a more regular suit that can handle a bit more roug and tumble. If you are pushing that extra metre then I would go with the Yamamoto with freedown (nano scs) coating everytime.

Whatever you choose do not bother with an inner coating - I don't think they work. Go open cell inner - and your choice of outer every time. It will be warmer, fit better and if you have done your measures spot on will keep you almost dry. Just remember to use lots of conditioner and water to get it on, use the flat of your hands - no nails please! Do the same to take it off - slosh water and conditioner on the outside and get someone else to help you pull it over your head. And if you are like me a dive in colder climes then don't forget a thermos full of hot water - it makes putting it on and taking it off so much more civilised!

Hope this helps!

 

[Jon]

Thank Stuart,

I've owned a few of the Low Density Heiwa suits so far and have had really good luck with them. My 3mm opencell/smoothskin tore apart pretty easily, but my 6mm opencell/smoothskin has been a really tough suit- for unlined smoothskin.

I have a 3mm now that's blachshadow/smoothskin that works really well and am thinking of getting the same in a 5mm. My 6mm is still going strong, but I seem to have developed an allergy to the opencell over the past few years. I've tried switching, and ditching, the hair conditioner and still am having the same issue- even with a brand new suit I bought that has opencell inner lining.

I've been diving opencell suits for 10 years now and the allergy to the rubber only started up about a year ago. If it wasn't for that fact, the suits I already own would last me for a long time.

Jon

 

[Broseidon]

My suits arrived in the UK very early this morning - they should be here soon!

I'm not excited at all... not in the slightest... not a tiny bit!roflroflrofl

 

[Jon]

I ordered my new suit yesterday. Blackshadow/smoothskin, 5mm, Low density Heiwa rubber with a Pleagos camo outer. It's going to take a little time to make it, but the water around here is almost warm enough that I can start using my 3mm- which already has Blackshadow lining and doesn't cause any problems.

I should have my 5mm and 6mm suits up on Ebay by next week. I would have saved myself some cash by just going with Elios in the first place, but I was in too big a hurry last time.:head

Jon

 

[Broseidon]

Just got my suits - first impressions, very nice!

As this is my first 'proper' suit, I was a little worried when I felt how sticky the open cell neoprene was, didn't think I'd be able to get it on!

Anyway, mixed up some hair conditioner and warm water and tired it on in the garden - it just slid straight on, no problems at all! I'd go as far as to say it went on better than ANY surf suit I've ever tired! Very surprising!

The fit is excellent - it's a tiny bit big on the wrists and neck, but not anything to complain about - as a bodybuilder, this is the first suit that's actually ever fitted me snugly in all over!

As a tip for future buyers, I'd ALWAYS give Elios measurements that are slightly smaller than you are in real life - that's what I did and I definitely wouldn't want the suit any bigger!

Pics:



http://img8.imageshack.us/my.php?image=51449267.jpg

 

[EcchiK]

I might as well add to this post than make a whole new other post. I'm fairly new to freediving and this will be my first wetsuit ever. And yes, I plan to buy from Elios.

Question: I'm torn between getting a nylon outer and a smoothcell outer. I know smoothcell is more fragile but if I get it in 5mm thickness will it perform close to a nylon outer suit?

I need the suit to last more than a few years as this isn't a cheap purchase for me but I want quality right off the bat.

 

[trullalla]

ecchik, you have to consider where you will use your suit: cold lakes will make it last longer than warm seas in sunny places. here in the red sea (dry, hot and salty= baaad combination!) i throw a suit every 6 months! (but then again i'm in the water every day).
however, if you want a suit to last that long i would definitely suggest that you choose nylon outside!

linda

 

[EcchiK]

I'll be using the suit in cold waters, mainly fresh water (Belgium & Canada) and possibly salt once a blue moon. Once I return to Canada there's a good chance a chunk of my diving will be from a boat.

Considering it's going to be an all purpose suit. And as much as I'd like, I don't think I'll live anywhere where spearfishing is allowed, so no spearfishing needed.

Current two options I'm going for are:

1) Suit 5mm New Black coating cell inside / Nylon elastic Black outside Neoprene Heiwa Price Euro 245,00. This is the Top-model for freediving, very elastic, warmth, aderent to the body, durable with lining outside and good also for deep divings, but also very slippery to get into.


2) Suit 5mm new black coating cell inside / Smoothskin Black outside Neoprene Heiwa Price Euro 240,00 it's top-model suit for apnea, very elastic, warmth, aderent to the body, good deep divings but also very slippery to get into and also very very delicate against tears or rips. (low water-resistance)


Both options will include a 2mm vest for winter-ish, fall diving. Now, considering I won't be doing spearfishing but I will do a lot of rec diving, should I get knee and elbow pads too?


Which option is best?

 

[Mr. X]

...
Question: I'm torn between getting a nylon outer and a smoothcell outer. I know smoothcell is more fragile but if I get it in 5mm thickness will it perform close to a nylon outer suit?...

Nope. Smooth skin looks better and dries quicker but if you're shore diving around rocks/reefs, boulders, cliffs, etc. you'll need to be super careful. I used to have a triathlon suit that had smooth outer and lined inner - the opposite of most spearo suits and it stood up well to years of use and then years of non-use. But I really looked after it and there were no rocks or reefs to deal with. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any of the British spearos wearing a smooth skin suit - I would think some of the boat spearos do(?). If you go that route though defo. get a loading pad, some knee pads - and possibly elbow pads.

While I respect Broseiden's opinion, I would recommend giving Elios your exact measurement, measured exactly as they show in their videos. Take each measurement 3x, take each measurement on both sides of the body (was surprised to find that one of my calves is a full inch larger than the other), take measurements at different times of the day, ideally on different days at different temperatures. Discard any whacky reading (ideally re-measure them) and then average them. I'd suggest getting somebody else to measure you. A SCUBA instructor friend suggesting making extra sure that the neck is not too tight (measure 3x, under different conditions, average & round up). Tedious but worth making the effort at this stage to ensure a good result.

Fortunately as a body builder Broseiden will be able to re-shape his body to make it fit the suit . (You are obviously fading away poor boy, have a pie! ).

 

[Bill]

Of the 30 wetsuits that I've owned since nylon became available/affordable, only two didn't have nylon outside. It wasn't worth the trouble. Both of my metal lined Elios suits work well inside out anyway. Doesn't seem to be any performance difference but I can put them on easier without lube (like days when you forget to bring it). The new stretch nylons are great. Never bothered with knee and elbow pads. It was very easy to replace the worn area after lobster season and make the suit fit a little better.

 

[EcchiK]

Ok, so I know that a lot of people have had Elios suits on here. So should I follow Broseidon's suggestion of getting the suit a couple cm's smaller than actual or does it fit quite well with actual measurements as well?

 

[Fondueset]

Mine are all exact fits - I respectfully disagree with the idea of giving smaller than actual measurements..

 

[Hanada]

I choosed a reversable Suit from Elios:
Suit 5mm, Smoothskin Black with Pelagos painting
Color 649 inside / Nylon elastic Green inside (not available in black)
Neoprene Heiwa (easy to wear without lube, comfortable and reversible,Elios
Logo on both Sides(in and outside of the Suit). Jacket closed with hood
incorporated
+ high waist pants Price Euro 235,00

 

[demasoni]

Is the Elios website down? Can't seem to get in with www.eliossub.com