Difference between semi dry wetsuits and wetsuits

[ndemeis]

I did a search but couldn't find a definate answer just mostly discussion on which to choose.
Just started diving and purchasing equipment and couldn't find the difference between wetsuits and semi dry wetsuits.

[mselizann]

Honestly they are vastly different
I dive a semi dry- I get wet to my forearms, my shins, and get a bit of water around my shoulders...........but once the water is in there it stays in there- and gets really warm
with the dry you should stay- well- dry

[Vercingetorix]

You also don't want to pee in a semi-dry suit.

The true wet suit means that your entire body will get wet. Once the water has infiltrated the material, you body warms it and maintains warmth with that cushion of warmed water. However, there is still heat exchange between your body and the water you're swimming in. Thus, you will lose body heat.

The dry-suit insulates your body with air.

The semi-dry attempts to achieve a medium between. There is still some wetness, but not as much as a wetsuit.

[cmburch]

I have an Xcel Polar Tri-density 9/7/6 one piece semi-dry. Far superior to a farmer john style wetsuit. I will get a zipper installed to relieve myself. It is much more comfortable than the normal wetsuit.

[ndemeis]

So am i better off spending the money on a semi-dry than the farmer john style? I'm going to be diving mostly in New york/canada.

Also with the farmer john style would your recommend that over a full wetsuit with a shorty/vest?

[cmburch]

My wife for additional warmth uses a hooded vest with 7mm Farmer Jane. So triple layer over body section for 44F temps. She was able to get different size pieces so it all fit. Drawback is it requires additional lead due to the buoyancy.

[mselizann]

I like mine- I feel that I stay warmer............and I dive in PA/OH/Canada

[fisheater]

I have a farmer john style semi-dry. I'm very happy with it, even down to 45 degree water.

Custom Wetsuits, Scuba Diving Skins, Parkas from AquaFlite

[Mtrewyn]

I thought a wet suit had some water movement in the suit, semi-dry has little or none, but you still get wet?

I could be wrong thoe....

[CompuDude]

I'm not a big fan of the semi-dry. Wet or dry, make up your mind! Semi-dry = semi-wet. It's still a wetsuit, it's just a little less wet.

And you can't pee in the suit. Yet still get to face the same immersion reflex as in a regular wetsuit. Sure, you could add a relief zipper, but you really don't want to have to unzip there if you're diving waters cold enough to justify it.

IMO, go for a wetsuit if the water is warm enough. If it's cold enough to need a semi-dry, go for a drysuit instead.

All that said, if a drysuit is really not an option (even a used one?), and faced wtih a choice between a farmer john and a semi-dry, I'd probably go for the semi-dry.