Sorry, another wetsuit question

[Joe L]

Just ordered my Wetsuit here at ST and I ordered a 5mm.
My diving will mostly be summer diving up here in the Northeast (50-70 degrees) and I really shied away from the 7mm due to the fact water temps in some of the shallower lakes I visit can get up there and I figured layering could be a solution when visiting colder.
My question, for colder waters I would like to put a shorty over the 5 mill, do you think this would work ok if i ended up in 60 degree or less water and if so, what thickness on the shorty?
I already plan on a 7mm hood due to the fact allot of heat is lost through the head, from what I'm told. Any help appreciated. JOe

[mselizann]

for colder water I'd say a 3mm

[thor]

You might want to look at a 5mm hooded step-in vest. It is basically a shorty with a hood. A 7mm hood is pretty thick, and can be a little uncomfortable. If you are not going to dive with a 7mm wetsuit, and you are still comfortable, I would think that you would only need a 5mm or even a 3mm hood. They also make vests with different thickness than the hoods, ie. a 5mm body attached to a 3mm hood. For much of the year in the NE, you might need a minimum of 7mm. Although the surface might be 60s and 70s, once you hit those thermoclines, you might be looking at 40s and 50s.

[CompuDude]

Most people can do fine with just a 5mm in 65-70 degree waters, but for that 50-60 range, anything less than an actual 7mm suit you're going to be COLD. You may get away with one dive, but you're not likely to be very happy towards the end, and it's very doubtful you'll be up for a second or third dive.

Even if you need more than one suit, I'd get the right suit for the conditions you want to dive in. It's a LOT easier to cool down in a wetsuit that's a little warmer than needed, than it is to warm up in a wetsuit that's not warm enough.

Thor suggestion of a 5mm step-in hooded shorty might help the situation, but it's still best to get the right suit for the right application.

[Joe L]

Thanks, I was tossing around the idea of 2 wetsuits or going the shorty on top. It must have been easier many moons ago when.... well ,you get what I mean. So much available but, I guess thats a good thing. Thanks all, JOe

[character157]

I have a buddy who was looking at getting one of these....

Henderson Core Warmer Wetsuit, Wetsuits: Women, Henderson, Henderson Core Warmer Wetsuit

It might make all the difference in the cold water.

[Grizbear98]

I own a 3 mm and the 7mm is going to be there when I get home today. I dive up north in PA and want to try diving in New England so I went with a colder one, I dive from 70 to down to upper 50s at the bottom of a 30' quarry. If you went with a 5mm, I would probably just buy a core warmer with a hood. Although I agree with compudude about having the right suit for the job, I wanted to get a hooded vest for the 3mm, but I get so cold around here in a badly made rental 7 that I just bought my own 7 to make sure I'm warm enough. It really depends on if your arms and legs get colder with the shorty or the vest since they would still be 5mm.

[Joe L]

Yes, I do have me eye on a 7mm to cover the colder dives.
Now, should the hood and gloves match up 7MM or can you go thinner on them?

[Sansho]

For hood and gloves, I'd go with 5mm. 7mm in both, while certainly a bit warmer, is also stiffer due to the thicker material. Try out some 5mm and 7mm gloves, for example, and see what you think.

[mselizann]

I have the Henderson 5mm instadry gloves. Even though they are 5mm- they feel almost "waterproof"- I really like them