5mm all season

[LakeHunter]

am i right in thinking that you can use a 5mm all year round in california and be comfy(santa barbara area). This is assuming you can only have one suit.

[Blake Schaff]

I have not used a two-peice 5mm before, but Andy at Blue Water Hunter recommends that as a Santa Barbara suit. Also, how big are you? I use a 7mm One peice scuba suit and don't get cold. I think a farmer john 5mm would be just as warm if not warmer.

[LakeHunter]

i have a two piece 5mm hooded beavertail top

the bottoms arnt farmer johns, but they come up to about 4 inches below my sternum

[Prodigal Son]

Depends on the suit. I use a 5mm Picasso Apnos Mimetic year-around. I can dive without feeling too cold in water as cold as 58-59 degrees, but only for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. During the summer, it gets uncomfortably hot when the water is 68 degrees and above, esp if it's a sunny day.

[LakeHunter]

well for havin one suit i think 5mm is still the best all year suit

[apnea_complex]

I would go with a 7mm in winter in SB.

[seacrecher]

I agree. I use my 5mm for most of the year. I will also agree that if you can only have one suit, it should be a 5mm two-piece with integrated hood.

I will go to a 7mm once the water drops below 60. I can use a 5mm for less than 60, but like it was said, only for a limited time. If I plan on being in the water for more than two hours, once the water is in the low 60's, I will wear my 7mm so I am not limited in my dive time.

[LakeHunter]

cool. Thanks for the input guys

greg

[Pfish]

5mm 63 to 70. 7 mm top with a 5mm bottom usually gets it done for me with temps down to 59. Any colder than that and it is 7mm all the way. Girl it up with a mix and match attitude. It is also easier to move around with a 5mm bottom.

[JLittle44]

I think you should jump in the water and see if you get cold.

[CountrySpearo]

and then there's people like me........ I dive a 3mm 2 piece open cell from apnea and the bottoms are only waist highs ans I dive Nor-Cal. ELGRINGOPELON can tell you what the water temp was on our last outing. But, we were in the water for 4 hours and I wasn't even chilled

[seacrecher]

5mm 63 to 70. 7 mm top with a 5mm bottom usually gets it done for me with temps down to 59. Any colder than that and it is 7mm all the way. .

I have been using the 5mm bottoms with the 7mm top just recently. I agree this is a nice combo. It also allows me to dive with 3-4 less pounds of lead on my belt. My lower back certainly appreciates that.

[Barley]

5mm OMER from Andy at Blue Water Hunter - good year round in SB and Channel Islands.

[LakeHunter]

I think you should jump in the water and see if you get cold.

i will as soon as i fly back from my landlocked college on monday!

[dafishinsamoan]

im glad this has come up-because this is my next newbie purchase. The guy at Hermosa Beach recommended a 5mm as a good 1st purchase free-dive suit that can be used year round locally. Does this sound right. Any recommendations? The gun is next? wong, picasso, riffe?

mahalo

[LakeHunter]

Damn. Wong as a first gun? You might want to make sure you really like spearing before you drop that dime

[mnguy]

Damn. Wong as a first gun? You might want to make sure you really like spearing before you drop that dime

At least its got good resale value if he decides spearing isn't his game. Better than buying a JBL and being forced to keep it.

[LakeHunter]

Buying a JBL and being forced to keep it is almost like a right of passage haha. I did it and i know a LOT who have. But looking back starting with somethin that nice would have been smarter so i guess i understand

[dafishinsamoan]

well i just put those brands out there because i'm just learning & don't know much about them. Luckily I have gotten some really good advice via PM's. Many thanks.

[Aircowboy]

Rob Allen is a great gun