7mm Wetsuit vs 7mm Farmer John

[snoballz]

Generally, is a 7mm one piece wetsuit just as warm as a two piece 7mm Farmer John? I realize that at the "core" there will be 14mm.

I just got myself a Farmer John but realized what a PITA they are. Now I know why divers prefer drysuiits for cold water dives.

[awap]

My one experience with a farmer john was a disappointment. The farmer john is probably a bit warmer than a one piece due to the double thickness over the core. But the neck seal on my FJ was poor (seems to be inherent in the design of a front zip) so some/much of the theoretical benefit was lost. For not much more $$ you can probably do better with a good jumpsuit and then add a hooded vest when you need a bit more protection. That also leaves you with more useful options on the configuration.

[Zenagirl]

I figure if I ever needed the warmth of a 7mm Farmer Jane, I'd buy a dry suit. However, I do have a 7mm full suit that I plan on wearing in Hawaii this winter.

[MConnelly2]

Biggest issue I have with my 7MM two piece is that it's just plain too much neoprene. TOO MUCH buoyancy! As I just started diving last year, it's my only wetsuit - and this year, we have abnormally high water temps, low to mid 70's, so it's just overkill. I HAVE dove it in 38-42 degree water and been just fine for an hour. Horrible chill the moment I stepped out of the water, but fine in the water.

So, in retrospect, I think I'll be 'downgrading', or upgrading, as I see it, to either a 5MM one piece and a drysuit, or more likely, one of the supercheap 3 or 5MM one-piece's that ScubaToys has on sale, and a Poseidon Unisuit or Jetsuit drysuit from my LDS for when it gets cold again.

[trekkindave]

Ill chime in when the package arrive... i have a 7mm farmer john ($20 on EBAY!!!!!!) and have a 7mm full suit (scubapro everflex) enroute.

[sravin1]

the farmer john would give added warmth, but you can use a jumpsuit with a core warmer or a hooded vest. that way you can add those on in case the jumpsuit is not enough.

[Coaster]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

I figure if I ever needed the warmth of a 7mm Farmer Jane, I'd buy a dry suit. However, I do have a 7mm full suit that I plan on wearing in Hawaii this winter.

Why do you wear a 7mil?...what month do you you dive there...thanks.

[character157]

For my first couple dives I wore a two piece and it was OK but did not fit perfect...I was able to drop some lead and stayed warmer with a 1 piece that fit well. I say that whatever you find that fits well and keeps you warm stick with it. I like the one piece because its warm when I need it and there is less lead on my belt.

[Warren]

I'm finding that I am warmer in a good fitting 5mm full suit than I was with the leaky 7mm Farmer John... And I was able to loose 8 pounds off the belt as well.

With the 5mm full suit, 7mm hood and 5mm gloves I'm doing well down to the low 50's, but I usually only do one dive.

[Schex]

I dive Lake Champain in Vermont. At depth, temps often run in the 40s and I'm very comfortable with a 7mm henderson thermoprene, boot, hood, and gloves. Don't even use a core warmer. Originally tried farmer johns, but found them very uncomfortable.