Rash Vests - Any good for additional warmth?

[BarnacleBoy]

Hi,

My wetsuit doesn't have an integral hood, so allows more flushing that a proper spearfishing suit. At some stage I'll get a new wetsuit, but in the meantime, I was thinking of getting a rash vest to retain a little more body heat. For example this [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cressi-Mens-Rash-Vest-Large/dp/B003ZYEMZC/ref=sr_1_2?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1336662772&sr=1-2"]Cressi Rash Guard Mens Top: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EcvICvbhL.@@AMEPARAM@@31EcvICvbhL[/ame]

Does anyone know...Are they any good? Do they offer extra warmth or not?

Edit: Wow, this looks like an advert! I'm not affiliated with Cressi in any way!

 

[grantl]

I use a Mares open cell 2.5 mm vest with my 5mm suit if it's cold and it gives me about 45 mins more time in the water - def worth looking at.
Shouldn't think there will be much difference between lined or open under vests in terms of warmth but I prefer the open myself as it seals on my back and prevents cold water flushing. Brr

Grant

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Cheers Grantl - Your vest sounds like it's neoprene rather than 'material' as the one I've listed. I'm guessing that makes quite a difference? I guess I'm also trying to avoid adding any buoyancy to the whole schbang.

Yes, the water down the neck is distinctly Brrrrr! I need my neck done up to "blood flow preventing" tightness to be effective!

 

[rowlzy295]

As far as rash vests for more warmth goes, you'll find that a lycra one like the cressi one in your photo won't provide much if any additional warmth to your suit, as they are used more for preventing rashes, or for wearing in warmer climates on its own to prevent sunburn, jellyfish stings etc...

If you are looking for added warmth there are thermal rash vests available which have a "fleecy" lining to them and come in usually an 8oz or 12oz thickness. I know these rash vests work very well for other water sports like surfing , windsurfing but am not sure how well they'd do when submerged constantly.

Your best bet for added warmth would be a 2.5mm or 3mm neoprene vest as suggested by Grantl, with open cell being optimum for warmth. However this will increase your buoyancy slightly and therefore you may need more lead to achieve the same buoyancy as you previously did.

hope this helps...

 

[Broseidon]

Have a look at this:

Mares Hooded Vest 5/3mm - Trilastic | eBay

It's a vest with built in hood. That should keep you warm!!

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Cheers guys - appreciated.

 

[ickledevil]

Ok here goes.. As a general rule a neoprene vest (well fitting etc etc blah blah) will give you a degree of warmth a material one generally won't. That said I used to own a 'reed chill cheater' lycra type rash vest which did offer more warmth (lord knows where its gone) it wasn't cheap but was rather bond esque when worn alone lol. I now have a Rob Allen under vest that is significantly warmer than suit alone but is neoprene, thick and a pain to put on! In reality your money would be hugely better spent on a suit with a hood, a decent or even semi decent spearo suit will make more difference than a vest ever can but I can understand the cash constraints. Stick a wanted add in the sale section and I reckon you could pick up a second hand suit for what you will pay for a vest. Just my two cents but likely what I would do. I will even check the shed and see if I have any old ones!
If you do go for a vest then I suggest neoprene over anything else but if not for whatever reason then consider the Reed chillcheater.

 

[grantl]

If you do go for a vest then I suggest neoprene over anything else but if not for whatever reason then consider the Reed chillcheater.

The Reed chill heater gear is a great alternative for sure and they do make some good headgear for using under a suit as well. Not sure of its thermal properties compared to open cell neo - I suspect not as good but it is far less bulky so ideal for an extra layer.
Proper open cell neoprene is the simple / cheaper way to go though.

Grant

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Yeah, I think I'll just man-up and see this season out, then get a proper integral hood one for next season.

I spent £300 on my scuba suit just before doing the proper research! It seemed to make so much sense - A full length steamer plus a shortie that goes over the top - every situation covered - in warm water just wear shortie, cold water, steamer, really cold, both. The reality is somewhat different for spearing though. Use the shortie on top and you'd have to wear 4567Kg's of lead and you'd barely be able to bend. Just the steamer with separate hood and you get too much flushing around the neck.

Cheers for the advice guys, I'm pretty convinced that a proper suit is the way to go rather than trying to 'fix' my current situation with addons.

 

[Simos]

Don't waste your money on the Lycra rashie - been wearing them for a few years in the pool. It won't solve your problem - to solve that you need a well-fitting, open-cell freediving/spearing suit as the others suggested. (open cell neoprene add-on will keep you much much warmer than the Lycra rashie but it'd just bite the bullet if possible and buy a proper suit as it's not just warmth, it's flexibility etc too)

 

[island_sands]

i bought a sharkskin in New Zealand and wear it under my 3mm sometimes.

Sharkskin | Technical Water Sport Garments | Australia and New Zealand

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Caved in under extreme pressure, er, from myself, and bought a Cressi Technica 5mm from Scubastore. Really looking forward to getting it (said "In stock" when bought it) - hopefully it'll be here before the half term break.

 

[speerolee]

Yep, that's a great choice; that's what most of us have.

Mine has just gone through on the knees after 2 years of shallow rock kneeing.

Going to get the 7mm for this winter!

Great suits..........enjoy

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Oooh, they sound pretty tough then. Yeah, really looking forward to it. Yeah, ideally a 5mm for summer and a 7mm for winter. Guessing a 7mm will require almost another half of the weight you carry again.

 

[BarnacleBoy]

Cressi suit arrived this morning. So, just wanted to give a shout out to Scubastore for a very rapid delivery - credit where credit is due. Ordered after office hours on Friday and suit arrived Tues am...that's pretty darn fast! Will be buying from them again.