Pinnacle wetsuit warmth question...

[reillz]

Hi all! I'm new to the pond so please excuse me if this question has already been asked.

I'm considering buying a 5mm wetsuit and saw various sites that claim that a Pinnacle 3mm wetsuit is as warm as a 5mm wetsuit. Considering that the 5mm Pinnacle isn't on sale and triple the price of the Pinnacle 3mm, I'm looking for some input. Is it all modles of the Pinnacle wetsuits that are this warm or only a select few? I have a 3mm from a different manufacturer and I froze my butt off on my last trip so I know that a regular 3mm won't be enough. Thanks for all of your input/help!

[chinacat46]

Don't believe everything you read it's marketing. I own a Pinnalce 3mm merino elastiprene wetsuit. When it was brand new it was proabably as warm as a worn out 5mm Henderson Gold. I like the Pinnacle a lot but I wouldn't bring it expecting to use it in place of a 5mm.

What temp are you planning to use it in?

[reillz]

I'm planning on diving in water no colder than 78-80 degrees. I used to dive in just a baithing suit without any issues at those temps...then I lost a bunch of weight. I got a 3mm before my last Palau/Yap trip and I froze my butt off in 84 degree waters. That's why I'm worried about another 3mm not keeping me warm enough and thinking of buying a 5mm.

[K9Pig]

I have the Pinnacle Seal (3mm Merino) which is a great 3mm WS for the 3mm range of water temps. It will keep you very warm on repetative dives within the 3mm temp range. The same for the Pinnacle Fusion (5mm Merino).

Pinnacle has great products, both wet and drysuits (pricey).

I had a Pinnacle Cruiser 5mm and my Seal was warmer IMHO. That's why I switched to a Fusion for the 5mm range, but then I went out and bought a Pinnacle Drysuit EVO 2, and now I don't dive wet that much anymore.

I would determine the temp range of the water you will be diving in the most, and go from there. The price difference between the Seal and the Fusion is very little, unless you are considering the Elastiprene for the stretchiness factor, then your talking $$$.....

[Grin]

I think in this case you should get the 3mm suit. You should in no way need a 5 mil suit for 78+ degree water. I am a woose for cold water and I use a 3 mil in anything 75 on up. I have dove a 3 mil below 75 alot, and although I would prefer my 5 mil at that point, it isn't worth it until about 72. I have a hooded 5 mil I use down to about 65 degrees. Try getting the quality 3 mil suit, that fits you correctly, and maybe a beany hood if your a little cold. I dont think you'll even need the hood for 78+ but it makes a huge difference when borderline situations are encountered. I have a 3 mil with a hood atatached that is very warm, mostly becasue of the full hood. But it is completely uneccessary in 78 degree water. I still wear it though. 78s pretty warm. Where are you diving?

[reillz]

I also thought a 3mm would be enough in that temp too but I froze in Palau/Yap. Granted, it was 3 dives a day for 20 days but I wasn't even toasty at the beginning of the trip. I also had a hoodie on during that trip (just the hood not a hood/vest). It wasn't a matter of fit since my wetsuit really does fit me like a glove. It could just be my body adjusting since I went from a size 14 to a size 4 in the 6 months prior to the trip. Anyway, we are looking at going to Indonesia for an extended trip and I really don't want to shake from being so cold that I have to hold my reg in my mouth again like I did on the last trip. That's why I was thinking a 5 mm might be up my alley.

[Navy OnStar]

Every person is different, however, I dive a Pinnacle Seal 3mm Merino in waters down to 68 degrees. I have heard that the really stretchy Elastiprene versions do not have the same warmth (this goes for all brands so if your current 3mm is one of the really stretchy ones that may be a contributing factor). Also, it is not all Pinnacle models that boast the extra warmth. Only the Merino wool lined versions. Anything colder than 68 (I usually don't go below 60deg) I use a merino lined hooded vest under the 3mm Seal. I would think you would be good with a 3mm of any kind, but if you get cold really easily then go for the Pinnacle merino lined versions (non-elastiprene) if you are set on 3mm. This one is the elastiprene and not merino lined.
Elasta Stretch 3MM Womens Wetsuit, Wetsuits: Women, ScubaToys, Elasta Stretch 3MM Womens Wetsuit

Another option to a new wetsuit is a core warmer or hooded vest. Pinnacle makes both in merino lined and I got my 3mm Merino hooded vest for $80.00.

[chinacat46]

I'm a WWW(warm water wuss) and I'd be cold in most 3mm in 78 degree water. The Pinnacle Merino Elastiprene will keep me comfortable in 78 though. If not I'll add a 3mm hooded vest.

[reillz]

Trust me, I'm as shocked as the next person that I would even consider a 5mm for 78 degree or above water!
I used to tease the other liveaboard divers that were wearing wetsuits...expecially the 5mm ones. The only time that i wore a wetsuit before that was during rescue diver class and that was a 3mm in 69 degree water. Like I said, I am shocked by it too!
Thanks for the heads up about the merino wool vs. stretchy non-merino wool suits. I don't have a stretchy suit now, so that's not the issue, but it saved me from wasting more money on a wetsuit that wouldn't keep me any warmer than the last one.

[reillz]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

I'm a WWW(warm water wuss) and I'd be cold in most 3mm in 78 degree water. The Pinnacle Merino Elastiprene will keep me comfortable in 78 though. If not I'll add a 3mm hooded vest.

Thanks for the "real world" tested info!