PICASSO wetsuit info request

Hey fellow abalone/fish hunters,

Looking to get a new wetsuit for ab diving and have been looking at the Picasso wetsuits. Not rich, but will put the money out if the Picasso's are as advertised.  Is the newfangled japanese neoprene really that flexible and supple? How about fit? Based on my dimensions,(5' 7" 175 lbs-athletic build)size chart calls for a ML.

Also, which model to get. Do you actually stay dry in this suit? Lastly, should I go with a 5 mm or 7 mm. Will be diving cold waters of Northern CA. Any feedback from Picasso owners, former or present, would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

SRJ

Better than adverstised, I called picassoamerica and got a size consultation over the phone, they convinced me I needed a size different  (larger)than the chart, their recommendation fit perfect, it is a wetsuit, but I have dry spots even after 2 hr in the water, I tend to get cold easy but their 7mm is the warmest thing I've ever worn, in Norcal I'd stick with 7, I have the biotermic lined suit, still needs tons of baby powder to get it on, without the lining the open cell material will probably require you to lube up to get it on.

Love my picasso suit,

Thanks for the info. Will call them to assure proper fit. Sounds like all Picasso suits are unlined on the inside. Is this correct?

SRJ

I have the Picasso 7mm open cell and I can't say enough about it. I went out with Dave last week and the water was 48 degrees. I stayed in the water for 2 hours straight and not only did I not get cold, I was warm. Freedive shop in Sacramento has them on sale. I wouldn't spend the extra money on the memitec lining. My suit is unlined. A little water and conditioner and it slides on very easy. 

While I like my lined suit, I think an unlined one would be just fine (and cheaper), I used to use 50/50 mix of hair conditioner and water to lube up to get thru the seals on my old unlined suit, works great.

Picasso america gave good advice, but their prices leave something to be desired, I went there to get a camo pattern, (that's no longer available).

Freedive shop in Sacramento has them on sale.

What is the sale price? I'm dreaming of a warm 7mm suit over my current 5mm aqualung ( which isn't all that cold)

-Brian G

Black is 323 and camo is 343 (last I checked). They also have the Picasso fasttail freedive fins on sale for 105. I bought those and they are very comfortable. Check freediveshop.com

Thanks to  all for the solid information on these suits.  Will put it to good use to get the suit I need.

Shannon

Yeah, thanks Merv.  I'm looking to get one too.

Thanks for the excellent replies and information. Went to freediveshop in sac today and tried on several suits.  Place was closed but Sarah was doing some other work there and happily invited me and my girlfriend in and was super helpful, attentive and patient, all while being "closed". Customer service was outstanding. Wetsuit sells for $400 and she gave it to me for $300. Bought a new snorkel with the savings.

Have been abalone diving on the CA northcoast in a surfing suit 4/3 for last several years and it has been ok as I've got a turned up thermostat. Well, folks said go with a 7mm. Tried on the Picasso Termic in 7 mm and thought it a bit stiff. Went to the next largest size and still felt a bit stiff.

Tried the Yazbeck in 5 mm and it was perfect, so that is what I bought. A premium 5 mm is a huge step up from what I've been diving with as related to warmth factor and it left tons of freedom of movement.  The Yaz is still made with the Yamamoto neoprene, which has great flex. It paid to go there to try the suits on as the recommended size for me was one size too small. Am 5-7 175 lbs and they recommended a ML(52). If you have an athletic build next size up may be the ticket. I ended up with the 54 and it was perfect.

Shannon

I just got back from Lake Natoma practicing my freediving. The water was very cold but I was very warm. I caught a large turtle and some crawdads (c&r). A little kid fell out of a boat and I recovered his prescription glasses for him. I love my open cell suit.

It was my first time outside the pool with my freedive fins. I like them but I think my regular fins may be better for the shallower water. My son inhereted my shorter fins so They won't be an option for me when he comes along.