Longsleeve top / 1.5 - 3 mil ????????

[mitsuguy]

looking for a top that I can wear with board shorts - prefer long sleeve, but short sleeve would probably work just as well... looking for something in a 3 mil, but could do 1.5 if thats all I can find...

I've seen the O'Neill offerings, which look nice, they have a 2/1 and a 1.5 that fit the bill, but not a single SCUBA divers review - it's all surfing related reviews...

The ones I am looking at are the O'Neill Hammer Jacket, Gooru Glide and Gooru Crew...

Also, looking for something specifically without a hood... Just want something I can pull over with not much more effort than a rash guard, but would also be open to a front zip... Definitely don't want the tail / crotch strap thing they put on them... Trying to fill a month or two void here - don't want to wear my 3 mil, hate fighting with my shorty for as little warmth as it gives me, and board shorts / rash guard have been just fine since the water was 79 degrees and above... once it gets below 78, or possibly on night dives, I'll go all the way to the 3 mil, but in the mean time, I'd like just a little more warmth...

Any experience with the O'neill, or any other options out there????

[FishFood]

Theoretically less dense neoprene materials are used for surf products (vs scuba products) which would lose much of its insulating properties at depth. However, since you're not looking for a whole lot of insulation would it matter?

Anyhow, Bare makes a 'sport vest'. Pull over design and 3mm, but it has no sleeves...

Another option would be to purhcase a cheap wetsuit that fits well and cut and hem the bottom. Would be fairly simple.

[Splitlip]

I have one of the O'Neil Hammer Jackets.(pretty sure it is the hammer line. bottom zip at the back. I'm in hotel room so I can't check) I wear it with 1 mil shorts under board shorts. Love. For surf and snorkeling. Never tried it with Scuba.

I did have a 3/2 full O'neil surf suit I used for diving a few times. Did not work as well as my old deepsee 3/2.

[mitsuguy]

Well, I ordered a Billabong 2mm long sleeve top today... I'll report back on how well it helps out...

it has a zippered rear about 8" long on the bottom in the back... should be here in 3-5 days...

[mitsuguy]

alright... got it in today and wore it on dive 2...

water temps have been tanking here lately... three weeks ago, my computer went from showing 82 every day to 81 every day in the water... today, on dive 1, it registered 80 degrees... I couldn't feel a difference, but who knows... It was only to 40 feet, so it was not depth related...

anyways, wore it on dive 2 and was very very comfortable... I added 2 lbs, which is most likely too much, but I was comfortable enough...

also, I know I said long sleeve top, but I decided last minute to just do a short sleeve top... being a 8" or so zipper in the back, it is a little difficult to get on, but still easier than a full/shorty wetsuit...