Snorkel Suits?
#1
Posted 08 July 2011 - 06:50 PM
Looking on line I see some different styles... full body, back zip, front zip, and "farmer john types" with a sleeveless body part and a separate jacket. Saw one of these where both pieces were 5 mil... they advertise that it therefor is giving you 10 mil over your body core.
Any of you out there more experienced than I with wet suits. What is your opinion about these styles? Pros... Cons... suggestions?
I kind of like the 2 piece idea, but am wondering if there is any reason why one type would be better than the other?
Whatta y'all think?
#2 Guest_ashtonmj_*
Posted 08 July 2011 - 07:55 PM
2 mm isn't really a wet suit. That's like the recommended suit for SCUBA diving in the Keys during the summer or water sports where you're not actually in the water. Even in the hottest of TN summers, you need around 5 mm for prolonged periods of snorkeling in moving water. I prefer two piece because, well you have choices. If I new it would be a little cooler water, say Blue Ridge/hypolimetic release water like the Hiwassee, Ocoee, Little Tennessee, etc. I'd go with both pieces on days I was going to be in the water for more than 2 hours. But for streams that aren't up in the Blue Ridge the top piece suited me for 6 hours + a day. Don't underetsimate the power of a hood to save your core temp. A two piece can also offer you some extended snorkeling seasons. Casper and I were in the Conasauga in early April several years ago. It was cold, but tolerable for about 45 minutes before I had to get out and bask on a rock. Also, 10 mm of neoprene can be a bit to hassle with in current, or if you want to do a free dive, so I would wear belt with a 5lb weight centered over my back.
#3 Guest_Casper_*
Posted 09 July 2011 - 09:16 AM
A reasonable consideration is 2 piece suits, Farmer John style, but really that is just like layering. They also make fleece liners which are pretty good adding a bit of layering and easier on and off of a tight wetsuit. Perhaps you should visit me on a Conasauga guide trip and you could try on a multitude of different suits?
One thing i see so many snorkelers not take advantage of is hoods. Getting cold water in the ears is "shivering". Keeping it out lets you peer under the surface line for topminnows and take deep rock grabbing plunges for look sees under creavases, in comfort. It also keeps a lot of body brain heat in, keeps you hair out of the mask and acting as a algae and scum filter, minimizes ear infections / swimmers ear, and wraps your mask for non scratch transport. I always have my hood.
I do wonder about this clothing brand called body armour. It seems like it would be ideal as an undergarment while snorkeling. Quick dry, ultra smooth, adds a bonus layer... but expensive. Anyone have experiences wearing it?
Really there are just a LOT of variables to comfort. Besides water temp there is rushing flow in riffles, runs and rapids which is much colder and pulls your body heat away quickly, how much sunshine is on your back ( black suits are best ), the air temperature, your metabolism, health and blood flow, your chub factor ( skinny people get cold much, much faster ), your motivation ( are you excited or tired ).
Though i often dont, it is good to wear a wetsuit. They offer protection from abrasions and bites, right now i have cuts on a knee from crawling through riffles ( watch out for broken glass! ) and a couple leech marks that are itching, slowly healing.
In the end if your an active snorkeler you will have a variety of wetsuits and gear for different conditions.
( Good advice from Matt A as well ).
#4
Posted 09 July 2011 - 02:08 PM
This is what I have come to realize in the Ocoee in March... in the Conasauga in November... I am just punishing myself, and I am ready for a change.2 mm isn't really a wet suit.
Agree, I have already gone with gloves and a cap, which both make a tremendous difference.Don't underestimate the power of a hood to save your core temp.
Thanks, good to hear from someone that has actually used a two piece...
#5
Posted 09 July 2011 - 02:16 PM
Perhaps you should visit me on a Conasauga guide trip and you could try on a multitude of different suits?
Its about time for me to do that anyway... but I forgot that you have all those suits when you are running a trip...
Had a very nice bear skin snorkel in the Flint River last Saturday... not as clear as you would like, but it was blazing hot and the water was nice... and we saw the most yellow Percina nigrofaciata I have ever seen... as GT man I was very impressed with his black and gold!
but now back to snorkel suits...
#6 Guest_CATfishTONY_*
Posted 09 July 2011 - 02:48 PM
i have a set i ues for fishing up north over the boarder. it is warm and well worth the coin.
you get what you pay for.
#9 Guest_NVCichlids_*
Posted 16 August 2011 - 05:26 PM
so according to that one, based on my measurements I range from a Med to a 5xl...
Would it be best to just go to a dive shop for this?
#11 Guest_NVCichlids_*
Posted 19 August 2011 - 02:51 PM
That would probably be your best bet, I fall between sizes as well, and it's much easier to just be able to try something on than try to figure out where I fit on the size charts.
for me its the darn ex-football player build that is causing the issue .. LOL.. I will probably go next week tuesday to a dive shop to ask around.
#13 Guest_don212_*
Posted 12 October 2011 - 07:51 PM
#14 Guest_Orval3_*
Posted 19 December 2011 - 04:38 AM
Only looking to have a splash around the local beaches, do a bit of snorkel diving.
Are these diving suits and good for Irish waters and are they good value. I have read they are cheap and nasty and others saying the LIDL diving gear was great value.
Any experiences of these and if possible.
What is the difference between the diving suits they have now and the ones I was tempted by a few weeks back.
In March the LIDL had diving combo suits same price 99.99 but they were all black in color.
This is the latest LIDL full diving suit.
Blue and black and same price. Is it just color difference?
#15
Posted 19 December 2011 - 10:44 AM
And it seems to be under the fishmas tree right now... so I can't tell you how will it works... or lasts... but for the price and considering that I don't use it year round... it seemed like a good deal for me.
#17
Posted 20 December 2011 - 10:00 AM
Never! Never! Borrow a suit!
I am almost afraid to ask why... but... why... I mean I have worn a suit form an outfitter... day trip rafting is a very cold river in the NW... and during the Conasauga snorkels... and even borrowed one for a freezing swim in the Hiawassee... and have had no problems that I know of...
#18 Guest_Anglr200_*
Posted 09 January 2012 - 04:49 PM
OS Stream Count drysuit
Reply to this topic
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users