New Wetsuit for Freediving

I have decided it's time to retire my nearly 20 year old O'Neill 6mm suit which is a wrestling match to get on or off and move up to a suit made for free diving. Apart from it shrinking over the years and it's lack of elasticity, it keeps me warm just fine and has held up really well.

I'm looking at a couple suits online at Free Dive shop. They have a nice deal on the Picasso Ghost Termic and then moving up from there some nice Yazbeck suits. Any recommendations? I can spend between 300-400.  Do these suits hold up ok? Anyone have the Picasso Ghost?

thanks,

Sean Browne
[email protected]

Hi Sean,

Here are some features of a Freedive suit compared to a scuba suit like your O'neil.

no nylon or lycra lining on the inside which means:
+warmer
+more flexible (not fighting your suit and allows you to take a deeper breath)

-more delicate and fingernails can put holes in the neoprene
-may need lubricant to get in the suit.  Lots of guys use hair conditioner
-pricey
-because they're delicate, won't last you 20 years.  I think 2-4 yrs is avg

Those a few things off the top of my head.  I don't have a ghost anymore.  I may have at one point, but I've stopped buying Picasso suits.  I had one 8 or 9 years ago that lasted for a long time (almost 5 years).  I was very happy with it so when it finally died, I got another Picasso.  The new suit fit great and was warm but the pant legs both busted after about 7 months of use.  I gave the suit away. 

I don't know much about the Yazbeck suits but they are probably cut very similar (if not exactly the same) as Picassos.  They are pricey though.  And I've heard some reports of their suits and booties being very delicate as well. 

For $300-400, you can get a very good suit.  What I would do is get a suit for $250 and use the remainder of the budget for a gun or something. 

Nate

Get an esclapez or Riffe from the free dive shop in sac they will ship if you need them to. Greg and vanessa know there stuff and are divers them selfs here is a link to there web site and a link to there wet suit section tell them matt mattison sent you.
 web site link
http://www.freediveshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=370

Wet suit page link
http://www.freediveshop.com/index.php?cPath=43&osCsid=c1b82d768a4b8778c68faa0ee9697251

the other place I would recomend is balboo reef in marin they carry Mares free dive gear which is good stuff to here is there phone number 707-586-0272

I have a problem with paying $400+ for a wetsuit.  I've ordered suits from Europe and even after factoring in the $ for shipping, I still get a much better deal.

This is where I've ordered from before.

http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/Suits-Apnea/52/s

wow thanks for the link those be some great prices !!!!!

Talk to Lou at Bodega Pro Shop, he carries Riffe Yazbek and Piccaso

Sean, I too upgraded getting the Picasso 4 years ago.  What a difference it made with respect to my overall dive, fish and kayak comfort and warmth.  I'm in or on the ocean probably an average of 15 - 20 days a year and my suit is still going strong.  It's NOT the easiest suit to get on and off, but it's been well worth that inconvenience.  I will definitely get another one when that time comes.
Mike

Bought my Picasso at the Free Dive Shop last year.  Love em in the water.  no problems so far.
I know it's probably not very helpful info... just giving you my 2 cents on it.

I did buy it at their end of the season sale for like 50% off though... or something like it.
Even bought Black Team fins for $99 I think.