Which are the warmest camo wetsuits?

[sjwpjw]

I am diving in Northern Ireland where it gets pretty nippy in the winter. I have been surfing for years in 5 mil suits but would like to go for a camo suit which is as warm as possible.

I see videos of people in Norway etc diving in the snow so I would like to think the same suit would be ideal but no-one here dives and i would appreciate some words of wisdom please.

Thanks

 

[Phil C]

Hi There,

There are a couple of things to consider as well as thickness:

Fit: A custom made suit (eg Elios) will generally be warmer.

Open Cell: An unlined suit (ie open cell inner) will normally flush less so will be warmer than a lined one. My opinion is that straight open cell neoprene is the way. IMO Fancy wool/titanium/other coatings are mostly for marketing purposes.

Smooth Skin: Although less durable a smoothskin suit will conform to your body better reducing flushing and when out of the water will not have the wind chill that a nylon outer suit will have.

Suit Config: Jacket with integrated hood that leave only mask and snorkel area exposed keeps heat loss from head at minimum.

Gloves: The warmest gloves I have ever found are the Elios 3 fingered smoothskin's. Just don't use them for FIM, spearfishing or scallop collecting.

Here in Auckland it gets down to 12deg in winter, under those conditions I use a 5mm Elios suit with a 2mm jerkin under the jacket and I can stay in the water 4h. I get cold really easily.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Forget camo. Just go for the warmest most durable best fitting suit.

 

[foxfish]

Here is my take on lined suits! http://forums.deeperblue.com/wetsuits/80555-question-about-lined-suits.html

 

[sjwpjw]

Thanks chaps