Wetsuit Help!

[Keiron]

Well, I think we are finally off to Egypt in a few weeks and so it's time to buy the wetsuits for the trip. Now, not knowing much about them, are there any reasons why something such as :

http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/produ...products_id=63

would do a inferior job than :

http://www.oceanicuk.com/Pages/Wet%20Suits/shadow.htm

I understand that the 5mm + 5mm of the Shadow gives me the potential of more warmth and flexibility outfit wise, but are there any significant differences between 'scuba company' wetsuits and 'surf company' wetsuits??

[Conor]

I've seen Gul wetsuits used by divers so there is probably no reason for concern.

The only thing that may be worth checking is that dive wetsuit manufacturers will probably choose there neoprene and design based on the realities of diving.....wear on the shoulders etc, neoprene that shows less compression at depth etc.

I would go price price first, looks second and manufacturer third, I have the 5mm Shadow and its been excellent for all my warm water dives (and a couple of cold ones) for the last few years.

Good luck

Conor

[EdHornby]

make sure it's a diving wetsuit as opposed to surface

surface suits compress a lot at depth so don't keep you as warm - diving suits are made for the job.

If you get a proper diving wetsuit and look after it, it should last and be worth the investment.... but there again my bank manager doesn't agree with the above....

[Noel Johnson]

I'd personally go for the Oceanic, but only because I already have a 3mm oceanic suit which seems to survive everything the red sea, and I, can throw at it. Top quality pieces of kit.

[John N]

I think that some surfing suits, like motorcycle suits are 'pre-shaped' i.e. bent at the elbows and knees.

Something to watch out for if you go for that sort of thing.

[Druid]

I have a 3mm Gul wetsuit, nicely made and have no problems with it. I have no idea if it compresses more at depth - I certainly don't feel cold in it. To be fair, I only wear it when the water is warmer than about 27C, so I wouldn't expect to get cold

The £160 price tag seems a bit steep for a 5mm suit though, I paid about £110 for my one piece Mares 5mm.

[onthetrain]

Depends how much you feel the cold of course, but o three do a great warm water suit for about £80 http://www.othree.co.uk

[purple vonny]

I had a nice cheapo Crusader wetsuit that cost £30, finally fell apart this year so I got one of those Gul 5/4/3 ones. It was warm enough in may when the red Sea was 24 degrees and will be plenty warm enough for this time of year.
My only complaint is that when I ordered it I asked if it had a full zip and they said yes. When it came it had a half zip (surfers seem to prefer this???) and it can be a bit of a tussle to get into but is OK. On the plus side, the arms are 3mm and nice and flexible while the body is a toasty warm 5mm. Mine cost £99 from

www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk

My friend liked it so much she bought the identical suit.
Vonny