Suggestions for first wetsuit

[thejuice152003]

I was wondering what suggestions for wetsuits you all would recommend for me, as I would normally be diving in about 60 degree water. I don't know whether to look for 5mm or 7mm and even though I have read quite a bit here on suits, I'm not sure which brand is most recommended.
Any suggestions? I'd appreciate it
Thanks

 

[thejuice152003]

Also I will be using it for just recreational freediving and practicing for gradually achieving deeper depths

 

[Andrew the fish]

... and another question is about so-called semi-dry wetsuits. I am new to freediving, not sure what kind of thermal protection I need for 40F water and up from there. 7mm semi-dry sounds promising but I never heard from anyone freediving in it.

 

[podge]

Both of the above
Get yourselves a 5mm proper freedive suit, farmer john bottoms with an integrated hood on the top.
If you want a real good one you could go for a made to measure from maybe Elios or an off the peg suit from maybe Cressi or Omar, both make a decent suit.

 

[cmburch]

Too bad you do not live in Northern California. The Freedive Shop is having their sale Sunday. Check their website for ideas on wetsuits for different water temps. The sale will not be posted only for store or telephone sales. 40F may need a 9mm. My 7mm Farmer John open cell freedive wetsuit is good to about 44F. A 5mm open cell is for cooler waters about 54-64F.

http://www.freediveshop.com/index.php?cPath=43&osCsid=315436f1c1c8e6c9034165636a9193d5

Some freedive wetsuits have seals around face, wrists, and ankles. A SCUBA semidry has different type of seals. I use a one piece SCUBA semidry Xcel SCS Polar 9/7/6mm. Good to about 44F.