John & Jacket or Fullsuit?

[kev99]

In researching wetsuits and trying to make a decision soon (which is almost overwhelming due to all the choices) I checked out the NeoSport 7mm John and Jacket combo http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=Neo7MilJohnJacket for list price of $149.95; and the Bare Arctic full suit combo http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BareArcticSuit list price $275.00, which comes with a full suit and vest. My question is what are your thoughts and opinions on using a john and jacket versus a full suit? I want 7mm because it gets cold in the quarries and I am planning on doing my AOW class in a few weeks and I know we are going to go down deeper than I have been; the other day I was chilly in a rental 7mm at 50'. Both suits look good to me, and I like the Bare because it has the full suit and the vest if you need it, but would that be overkill? Would you even be able to move around with a full suit on and a vest like that? Does anyone have a recommendation for an alternative to the two I listed? I would like to get one of the Pinnacle’s because of the Merino (I bet that would feel good and read good reviews of them) does anyone have any other comments on them?

[Coaster]

Sounds like the Bare Artic is what you need.

[wxboy911]

Sounds like the Bare Artic is the best option because its got a full suit plus the 7mm vest with hood. 7mm suit for the regular days and the added vest with hood for the deep dives. There will be some less mobility but I would rather be warm when it comes right down to it. As long as the vest and suit fit OK you should be in good shape. Good Luck.

[gtjason2000]

you should have the same mobility. The bare is like a john and jacket but they took the arms of the jacket and put them on the john. This way you can where just the full suit and not look as dorky as if you were just wearing a john. Also when I wore just a john because it was too warm for both the bc shoulder straps really chafed my sun burnt sholders.

[ScaredSilly]

I would agree with everyone above. Get the full suit as it is more versatile overall. However, I have mixed feeling on the attached hood. I like hoods unattached.

[mdwestgrl]

I agree with ScaredSilly, I would see if you have an option other than having the hood already attached. I would think that could be kind of a pain for all the times you don't need it or want it. Otherwise I think you are better off with a one piece vs 2 piece, the Bare Arctic one piece sounds like a good deal.

[skdvr]

I too would go for the full suit... I have never dove with an attached hood but I do not think that I would like it. I think that I would prefer the hood to be seperate as well.... Like I said though I have never tried it so I do not know for sure.

I have heard that if you get a full suit that fits you correctly it will keep you warmer than a farmer john and jacket because the water can get between the john and jactet and cool you down more...

Phil

[BobArnold8265]

I've owned both full suits and John/Jackets. I always found the full suit to be warmer. They tend not to let in as much water as the John/Jacket. If you're still cold with a full suit, a vest/hood combo should fix you up.

[Vercingetorix]

I dove with the Bare set-up over Labor Day at Lake Ouachita. For depths to 50 feet or so, I wore just the 7mil suit. When I did a deep dive to 100, I wore the vest. I had no mobility problems with either set-up. I rented this from ST. If I continue to dive into the winter (CSSP is mid-40s in winter), I'll go with the Bare versus FJ. I like the versatility that the Bare Artic provides.

[crpntr133]

A farmer john will give you more versatility. Meaning you could buy a different MM shorty (jacket) and use it with the john. Also you get double the thickness in the core area with a john. It's your choice.