Difference between semi dry wetsuits and wetsuits

[diver-wife]

one thing to remember with a semi-dry, when you are done with the dive, you are wet, if you have a long boat ride back in the 30 degree air, you are going to get colder than if you have a dry. Yes there is a large price difference, but some people I know that they would get a semi-dry then after one season, decided to upgrade to a dry, or they stopped diving in the winter.

[junzhang]

I wonder how much difference would a semi dry make,say a 7mm semi dry vs 7mm normal wetsuit? if with a 7mm you can go as cold as 55F, how much colder would a semi dry allow you to go?

[Shellback]

Originally Posted by junzhang

I wonder how much difference would a semi dry make,say a 7mm semi dry vs 7mm normal wetsuit? if with a 7mm you can go as cold as 55F, how much colder would a semi dry allow you to go?

That is a pretty subjective question on the temp. I know that when I bought my 7MM semi - dry I felt comfortable in 50 degree water. But have to say I sure felt much better than that in a drysuit with the right undergarment and not so restricted by the wetsuit.

[fisheater]

I've got to get down to about 45 degrees F. before I can feel any water exchange when moving my arms with my semi-dry. I wouldn't expect that from a regular wetsuit.