Wetsuit advice

[nenrandir]

Hi!

Getting my first freedive wetsuit and trying to get the impossible: the one suit for all occasions. Diving in Nordic waters in summer (say 16 degrees C and up) but also doing pool training in winter. For even colder conditions I have a shorty I can wear over. I'm looking for sth like the Cressi Apnea or Mares Instinct (open cell), in pool training I'll use only longjohns and a vest.

But:

How thick should it be? For a non-open cell, I'd guess 5 mm would do. Will the open cell be warm enough to go for 3,5 mm instead (less buoyancy)?

 

[stingaree]

Hi nenrandir, here is my 2 cents; this is what I personally found work the best for (my) freediving/spearfishing/pictures taking, while swimming kept to minimum (slower heart rate = easier to get cold)

5mm open cell suit for 16-19 dgr.
3mm open cell LJ & 5mm top for 17-20 dgr.
3mm open cell suit for 21 dgr. and above

BTW Cressi Apnea is an awsome wetsuit.

 

[Simos]

I'd guess your best bet for 'one suit does all' would be 5mm open cell. (you could add a vest for extra warmth in colder months). 3.5mm for Nordic waters sounds way too thin to me!

 

[nenrandir]

I'd guess your best bet for 'one suit does all' would be 5mm open cell. (you could add a vest for extra warmth in colder months). 3.5mm for Nordic waters sounds way too thin to me!

Makes sense; I'm however worried that the buoyancy of a 5 mm will be annoying in the pool...?

 

[podge]

I’d have to go with the 5mm Cressi Apnea, I used one for a while over here through a UK winter and it was giving me about an hour and half before the cold got through and that was in 5/6 degree water. Summer use you could go all day and be comfortable with no worries.
As for the pool, if the long-johns get to warm then it’ll be out with the Speedos.

 

[nenrandir]

Thanks folks; decided to go for a Cressi Apnea. Besides the good reviews it turned out that my body measurements exactly match those of the suit, so it's almost MTM anyway

FWIW, I'll be back with my personal opinion eventually.