What's the warmest suit that's not a dry suit?

[ahar]

The other half is currently learning to dive before our honeymoon later this year. She's going to have to finish her training here, probably in Stoney and Swanage. We need a suit for her that will keep her warm in Stoney in April while training but be flexible so that she can take it to the red sea diving or somewhere like Swanage in the summer. She won't be diving in the UK in winter at all, and doesn't want/need the hassle and expense of a drysuit.

We've been looking at the Scubapro Everflex (5 mm with a 5mm shortie on top) which seems good, the oceanic shadow (as mentioned in Getafix's thread on semi drys) but also thinking about the Scubapro Scotia and buy a 5mm shortie to go on top when it's really cold.

I only did my PADI open water in a wetsuit and went out a bought a drysuit straight away. I also dive very little abroad so have no idea about wetsuits. The other half gets cold very quickly so we need the warmest thing available to make sure she doesn't get miserable training, and so that it doesn't put her off UK diving (so I can drag her along on dive trips !)

Any help would be appreciated...

[Rick Huggins]

Originally Posted by ahar

The other half is currently learning to dive before our honeymoon later this year. She's going to have to finish her training here, probably in Stoney and Swanage. We need a suit for her that will keep her warm in Stoney in April while training but be flexible so that she can take it to the red sea diving or somewhere like Swanage in the summer. She won't be diving in the UK in winter at all, and doesn't want/need the hassle and expense of a drysuit.

We've been looking at the Scubapro Everflex (5 mm with a 5mm shortie on top) which seems good, the oceanic shadow (as mentioned in Getafix's thread on semi drys) but also thinking about the Scubapro Scotia and buy a 5mm shortie to go on top when it's really cold.

I only did my PADI open water in a wetsuit and went out a bought a drysuit straight away. I also dive very little abroad so have no idea about wetsuits. The other half gets cold very quickly so we need the warmest thing available to make sure she doesn't get miserable training, and so that it doesn't put her off UK diving (so I can drag her along on dive trips !)

Any help would be appreciated...

Have you tried a tit suit?

Sorry, just had too :P

[turbanator]

I'm in a similat position to you, I statered in a semi that was a long-john and full jacket though.


If/wnen I but another wetsuit, it'll probaly be a 2 piece, 1 with long arms and legs and sleeveless top for extra warmth.

r
Paul

[Woz]

Our club swear by the Beaver Icelandic Ultra. Not, I'll grant you, the most fashionable suit but by crikey it's warm. Some Beaver stuff is tatt but the Icelandic suits are pretty good.

[tom]

I've got the 5mm Oceanic Shadow system and I've used it for the kind of diving you're talking about, it's fine. The only bit where it might be a wee bit chilly is Stoney in April.

Another option to think about is combining one of these suits with an under-vest - Scubapro for instance do a 1-2mm vest/shortie that goes underneath your suit. That can make you significantly warmer (my wife, who's also very cold-sensitive, sometimes uses one and reckons it makes a difference). There are hooded versions that seem even better.

There's some discussion of a semi over on my 'gloves' thread as well - take a look at that.

[Clare Gledhill]

I bought a scubapro scotia to complete my open water training in November and it was OK - although to dive from then on I bought a dry suit so I only did four dives in it! It was pretty good and keeps you warm enough on the surface between dives (which a lot of wetsuits don't).

[Ali_Mc]

I have had a Scotia since August. Wonderful suit! Make sure the neck seal fits well though. If you do go for this suit it is worth getting the scubapro hood as well as they are great.
The Namron IceDiver suits are also decent.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by Ali_Mc

I have had a Scotia since August. Wonderful suit! Make sure the neck seal fits well though.
The Namron IceDiver suits are also decent.

You certainly earned your brownie points last weekend in Swithland. 5 deg C in a semi-dry. You're as hard as nails ya wee pixie.

[bottle_monkey]

I learnt to dive in the beaver suit woz mentions. kept me warm even in stonney at 4 degrees. The only reason I changed to a dry suit was the comfort factor of not being wet.

Kev

[Bantam]

As I've just replied to the other thread, I think I should be consistent.

I recently availed myself of a Pinnacle Polar. It's a sod to get into (as Getafix said when he tried - 'Comical' ), but once it's on it's very very very very very warm.

Mark.