Undersuits?

[Ferg3333]

I dive a Otter Britannic, and at the moment I'm diving in a otter 100gram undersuit, I have a 200 gram one but its quite bulky and does not offer that much more thermal protection(maybe its the hole in arse). And I am getting cold?

I'm looking for an undersuit that is ideal for 1-2 hour dives in 4 deg water?

Been toying with the idea of Xeotherm Artics or Woz's equivalent? Or even Matalan thermals?

So what do you all recommend??

[Waskey]

Xeotherms, Xerotherms, Xerotherms

However not the best person to give advice about an undersuit though......

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Ferg3333

I have a 200 gram one but its quite bulky and does not offer that much more thermal protection(maybe its the hole in arse). And I am getting cold?

I found the 200 quite adequate in the UK and the Baltic. I added a thin underlayer to a 200 and did 5 hours on and under ice.

[Ferg3333]

Originally Posted by Waskey

Xeotherms, Xerotherms, Xerotherms

However not the best person to give advice about an undersuit though......

I want comments off people who own and dive the stuff mate, no offence

[Woz]

Well here's my ten pennorth:

I've not dived Arctics. Strangely enough I can't find anyone willing to let me climb into their close-fitting diving underwear then sweat profusely. So...

Summer togs:
Subzero base layer (Factor 1)
Megatherm top and trooz.

Autumn/spring togs:
Subzero base layer (Factor 1)
Subzero mid-layer (Factor 2)
Megatherm top and trooz.

Winter togs:
Subzero base layer (Factor 1)
Otter 300g Arctic Extreme snuggly wuggly

Freezing cold quarry in winter:
Subzero base layer (Factor 1)
Subzero mid-layer (Factor 2)
Otter 300g Arctic Extreme

So that's my lot covered. The Autumn/spring stuff is good down to 10 degrees but below that it gets a bit nippy. The full on winter stuff is incredibly toasty but very very restrictive- but you can happily do well over an hour in 4 degrees and come out steaming. I do have to add a whopping 4kg of lead to compensate, though. Similar to a Weezle I reckon. Oh and handy hint- cut the silly knitted cuffs off the Otter suit. Makes it a far better fit, doesn't end up with wet wrists and it dries faster.

Someone in the club has a Typhoon heated kidney belt and swears by it.

[tonhil]

I think you are asking a lot - 2 hours in 4 deg and you will be VERY cold - quite possibly dead.

Are you currently doing those sort of times and temps with a 100gm otter undersuit? I am impressed!

I would suggest some woollen underwear top and bottom. I have used "Devold" from Norway and it seems to be good quality. The undersuit needs to be pretty serious. The g/m2 thing is only part of the story. I have a 200 C Bear at the mo and it is MUCH warmer than other 200s I have used in the past. Probably a minimum for what you have in mind though. What about the 400g from Polar Bears? I have not used it but this is where I would be looking.

You also need to look at hands and head. I would go with neoprene, fingerless mitts with a long gauntlet. Hood needs to fit well and a thin neoprene underhood might be worth considering.

Where are you planning to dive that requires all this?

[Woz]

I'd definitly agree with the "numbers are bollox" bit. One manufacturer's 400g suit can be much colder than another's 200g suit. It also depends on the lining and outer cover.

[MarkP]

Originally Posted by tonhil

What about the 400g from Polar Bears? I have not used it but this is where I would be looking.

I have one of these and it's toasty but very thick and heavy. Unfortunately, mine's one of the first ones they made and there are problems with it. I believe they're sorted now.

If I had the money I'd buy a Santi.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by MarkP

If I had the money I'd buy a Santi.

Well he'll soon be here with all his reindeer!

LOL, Paul

[ardhill]

I own both an Otter 200g undersuit and Xerotherm Artics.

IMO, the otter undersuit is warmer than the Artics. But I prefer to wear the Artics as they are more comfortable and give more flexability, so I wear a cheap base layer under them to give me a bit more heat.

I guess if you wore a better quality base layer, you would get more heat, but for what you are asking, I think that 'I' would need some sort of heated undergarmet as well.