Wet Suits

[abutte1]

I mostly freedive around rigs in Mississippi and Louisiana where water rarely gets below 65 degrees. We normally don't wear wetsuits but I want to start diving a little earlier this year and I need some protection from the rig legs. I was wondering what a good alll around wetsuit would be.

[frogman]

3 mm nylon lining outside/open cell inside two-piece freediving suit with integrated hood. Slip a 2 mm neoprene vest undeneath for the winter. If you get cold easily, get a 5 mm similar set-up. Good sites to order this from is elios (www.eliossub.com) (custom made), scubastore (www.scubastore.com) or spiros (www.diveskin.gr) (custom).

[rigdvr]

Even when you think its warm enough to do the no suit thing, your breath-hold times will be better when you wear a good suit. Winter diving out of Venice I use a 2 piece 5 mil Omer and spring through fall I use a 2 piece 3mil Picasso which I am having to replace this year.

Nice to hear from some other freedivers on the coast...there arent many.

[abutte1]

Rig diver

THe 3 mil isn't to hot in the summer?

[rigdvr]

The 3 is warm but I take the hood off and let some water in. I am thinking about getting one of the new Omer 1.5 mil one pieces for the dog days...

[andyt808]

I was looking at some of the elios suits does anyone how much a 3m suit would go for?

[Spearo_Fla]

I like Picasso suits. I use 1 piece and two piece suits. Nice and cozy. Once I wore a 3 mm to the Rhode Island Open, everyone thought I was crazy since they were wearing 5mm with hoods.

[abutte1]

What about the Omer 1 piece in terms of durability? I was thinking of a 1.5 mm for our warm waters. Not quite as expensive as the Picasso so I worried that it may not hold up when I bump into the rig.

[rigdvr]

It will hold up fine. I find the Omer a little more durable than my picasso but the picasso neoprene is much softer to me? Thats got alot to do with the price. Nothing will hold up to massive abuse on rigs legs but a tube of picasso wetsuit glue, NOT aquaseal, will repair it fine.

[ErikY.]

I was looking at some of the elios suits does anyone how much a 3m suit would go for?

I have a 3mm custom suit from Elios. About 200$ US including Fedex shipping. It's vastly superior to my off the shelf Picasso.
Cheers,
Erik Y.