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Wetsuit q'ns

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
* - Two piece, open cell wetsuit, without a zipper. Why is that (why does it have to be two piece, open cell and without a zipper)?
* What does the 2/3 and 3/4 and so on mean? Does it mean that the suit is 2mm in some places and in other places it is 3mm, or something like that?
* Can you dive with a surf wetsuit? What's the difference?
* What wetsuit would you recommend for a beginner? For warmer waters, about 75 degrees F.

Thanks in advice!
 
Mr_Miyagi said:
* - Two piece, open cell wetsuit, without a zipper. Why is that (why does it have to be two piece, open cell and without a zipper)?
It needs to be 2 piece because zippers are a bad thing. Zippers are a water vent. Good wetsuits are not wet on the inside. 'Open cell' is a misnomer, but essentially means there is bare neoprene rubber against your skin, which ideally means less or no water between you and your suit.
* What does the 2/3 and 3/4 and so on mean? Does it mean that the suit is 2mm in some places and in other places it is 3mm, or something like that?
Correct.
* Can you dive with a surf wetsuit? What's the difference?
You can, but ideally you want a proper freediving suit: form fitting, quality rubber that resists compression, and the above-noted qualities.
* What wetsuit would you recommend for a beginner? For warmer waters, about 75 degrees F.
A 3mm or 5mm suit would be fine, depending on what you want to do and your metabolism and fat percentage.
Thanks in advice!
Peace,
Erik Y.
 
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Icecelkie, i tried my Picasso wetsuit, it has prebent arms and it is nicer than traditional stright arms. The arms looks like a banana almost when suit is not worn and very comfortable when worn!
 
ok compare the feeling of these prebent arms to arms such as topsub's which are smoothskin from shoulder to elbow, and lined from elbow to wrist.. does anyone here have a topsub suit that they can make a comment/review on?
also do the shoulders have a lot of room (i'm thinking of the traditional monofinning pose)..?
 
As for monofin posture, some of the cutom makers (like elios) can make your suit cut for that. Just need to ask.
 
I have the TOPSUB smoothskin 5mm with some metalic coating on inside.

It is very comfortable and easy to have arms in monofin position.

However the Picasso suit is nice for swimming with relaxed bent arms in front of you, i guess its because it is made for spearfishing.
 
Well, it seems that Elios can make a velcro crotch fastener instead of ring too. :)

More questions: do those of you who have open cell interior jackets, have you ever needed/wanted to wear a vest underneath for colder temperatures and do you find that it is constricting/tedious in any way (I'm considering a 5mm jacket and 2 or 3 mm vest for colder days)?? (temps as low as 3 degrees celcius)
 
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yes, with Elios all things are possible


I find my 5mil jacket great in 2-3c water. It is very comfortable but it took awhile for me to get used to - first open cell suit - now it's like nothing. (I was used to no suit) I've considered an open cell vest for my 3 mil suit though. Never tried one under my 5mil. You can wear them either out or in. There are also some very thin vest/hood combos that probably help further minimize water movement.

You can ask Elios to make the torso from thicker neoprene. It all depends on your tolerance for cold.

This winter so far I'm generally only in the water for 90 minutes or so - invariably I'm quite comfortable when I get out. Sometimes my fingers and toes get cold - and if it is windy I'll get a chill bagging up my gear to leave. In 3c water the Henderson Ice mask really does help reduce heat loss - as well as elminating the painful 5 or so minutes it takes for your face to adjust. It does add a bit of volume to your mask but I've been really glad to have it. It pretty much eliminates any shock. I've just been having a blast flying around in cold space :)


...
 
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Brianna what material are you looking for Heiwa or Yamamoto and do you look for some coating or opencell inside and smooth outside?

What is your dream suit like today if you would order it just as you like it?

What features would it have?
 
I'm still not too sure what each type of neoprene (and there are so many) would offer.
 
I think it depends how deep you are diving. I've also heard that heiwa is more durable that yamamoto - which is very soft. My experience with different types is otherwise quite limited - I can only say I'm very happy with the suit I bought :)
 
and Daiwabo, how does it compare? Anyone who has lined neoprene on their suits where it intersects with smoothskin (such as on knees, forearms, chest) do you find those seams fairly strong or do they tend to leak after awhile?
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned www.diveskin.net. I'm very happy with the freediving suit Spiros made me. His site is not all that informative, but just e-mail and he's always willing to answer any questions. He specializes in Spearfishing suits, but makes a darn good freediving suit as well. But most importantly, his suits are very affordable.

If you've got the money to spend, I'd go with a name brand. But if your looking for something a little cheaper but not lacking in quality, he's your man. The custom 3mm 2 piece suit he made me is great, like a second skin. I actually have to pull the neck away from my body before any water gets in, and the Hewia neoprene is both soft and durable. I couldn't be happier, especially for the price.

Till Later...

~JMP
 
I've seen a number of posts about his suits and all of them quite positive.
 
Well, the time came for me to order! I went with Topsub as per a few other Canadian freedivers, so I feel fairly confident it will be a good choice ( & hopefully for some time!) :D Gabriel, my husband is going with the Elios black shadow, so we will be able to compare!
 
Do you realize how sweaty that would be, my 5mm TOP SUB suit is VERY warm even when not exercising.
 
It's 2-3mm -- but I was just kidding. Looks pretty hot - whichever way you look at it ;).
 
Well i like smoothskinsuits better but they would be too warm for clubbing i must say. I nice designed smoothskin is hot and looks hot also when worn by a woman.:inlove
 
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