I want to purchase a long wet suit prior to my trip, debating on 1/2mm or 3mm. Probably will do 2 dives per day at most and snorkeling. I've been looking at Diver's Discount and found a in the $100 range. Does anyone have any opinion on the following?

1. Tilos Light Line 1/2mm full suit, warms like 2-3mm with titanium lining at $80.00

2. Tilos Titanium 3MM Back Zip jumpsuit 3mm body/2mm arm/legs for $110

3. Henderson Superior Polyolefin, warms like 2mm for $90

Thanks.

annie, in water like bonaire, i wear a 3ml titanium (no skin) and am very comfortable. i have worn a skin in water like bonaire (and a little colder, 78F) and was a bit chilly most of the time. i think it depends on you cold you get. while i wear a 3ml in warm water, my husband wears a t-shirt and shorts and is very comfortable.

Look into a hood also. As the courses teach, 40% of bare body heat loss is through the skull so leaving the head uninsulated is a quick chiller, even if most divers do it.

thanks glen, forgot about the hood. i haven't ever needed to use mine except locally, where the temps are a bit chillier

It is funny about hoods. We don''t feel a need until we are 'whole body' cold but if you wear one before cold sets in, you are just more comfortable.

I learned about this years ago from a friend who built commercial suits for a living. He had me double the thickness of my 1/4" hood over my skull and down the back of the neck. My head did feel warmer and I lasted longer before shivers set in here in New England. I seem to remember also that the physiologists say that extra thermal protection for the spine and brain helps keep the mind and motors working well.

All this from me who dives Bonaire for 2 hours in tee shirt & swim suit. A hot shower does feel good afterward!!

Even tho the water is 81-82 deg. you do get cold in the water. For my recent trip to Bonaire I wore a skin (to help get the dive suit on) and a 3 mil full suit. I also wear a beanie, more to control the hair, but it also keeps body heat in. About 5 days into the trip - we dove for 2 weeks, I added my 3 mil hooded vest because I was getting cold. Once your body core temperature drops you tend to feel cold all the time. My husband wore his 3 mil with no skin and no beanie and he was cold after the 3 or 4 day of diving. We actually had to come in early from a dive because he was cold.

gail, the hood is a necessary thermal protection in so cal waters, but i agree, it does control the "hair" factor! maybe i need to think of buying a neoprene one for my upcoming trip to bon...my hair is longer this time! LOL! and yes glen, i think it is something like 75% of the body heat is lost through the head...dang brain doesn't give us any warmth protection!

Maybe some people's brains do, but mine sure doesn't

I have replaced the air in my head with argon and now stay very warm without a hood...:p

mark, that must be how you stay warm diving where you are from...great pics by the way! there is giant kelp in BC?

What pics did you see...?

If you saw the ones I have on my home page from Port Hardy, it is on the northern end of Vancover Island in B.C. Canada air and water are both about 40F. I live in Washington state and we go up there every year. Just got back less then a month ago and will be in Bonaire next Sunday.....:D I am a very lucky man. I had camera issues last month so not many good pics, but all good dives. It is ready to go for Bonaire and this will be my first warm water since I got the camera so I am excited and looking forward to 80F and no dry suit....[:]q

Annie Pon, my two cents worth. Since you are only making two dives a day and spending the rest of your water time snorkeling, the 1/2 mm suit should work well for you. A 1/2 mm hood for diving and something to keep the hair out of your eyes while snorkeling would be best. When the sun is shining , you might get a little warm with a full hood on. Don't forget the sunscreen for the back of your neck while snorkeling.

Mark, yes, i looked at the pics on hour home page. I saw what looked like giant kelp (macrocystis pyrifera) and I know that it is on the coast of the Western U.S., but didn't know it survived in such cold temperatures. I bet you are looking forward to nice warm 80F water! I did enjoy the pics, have a great time on bon with your camera...i will look for your trip report

Everyone,

Thanks for your input. I picked up a 1/2mm suit, can't find a 1/2mm hood, will probably settle for the 5mm hood.

Will be on Bonaire in 2 days....yippy!