Farmer Johns 2.5mm or 3.0 ?

Is there really much difference in just  .5 mm ? What Brand is best in the economy suits , thinking about a NRS ? Know  I want a front zipper that allows relief !

I'm in the market for a couple of wetsuits for myself and my son. I'll be watching to see the opinions on this.

If you went in for a quick dip and back on the yak then it probably not make much difference.  If you use it for diving or stay in the water for awhile (>30 minutes) then it'll make a noticable difference.

ive got the nrs 3mm fj, keeps me warm, no problems except that it smells of squid, anchovy and rock fish blood, which doesnt please the wife with it hanging in the laundry room , cameron

Check the farmer johns out at Clavey River equipment. .5 mm is like less than 1/16 th of an inch. Like Abdiver says. You will need the relief zipper. Trust us on that one.

I purchased the 3mm NRS farmer johns for myself and my two boys. Found them for under $120 on-line and my youngest I found a small brand new pair for $50 on eBay. I like them; however when the weather starts to get down in the low 50's and 40's I can feel the cold right through them. I purchase waterproof Seal Socks, of course mine leaked, that I wear inside my booties. I wear  paddle jacket. Overall, I like them, except the cold factor.

I purchased the 3mm NRS farmer johns for myself and my two boys. Found them for under $120 on-line and my youngest I found a small brand new pair for $50 on eBay. I like them; however when the weather starts to get down in the low 50's and 40's I can feel the cold right through them. I purchase waterproof Seal Socks, of course mine leaked, that I wear inside my booties. I wear  paddle jacket. Overall, I like them, except the cold factor.

Wear rain pants over them, or even waders, when it is cold.  It's the wet and wind chill that's getting you right through the neoprene.

-Allen

I just bought a pair of NRS Endurance Paddling pants to wear over my NRS farmer John wet suit and I used them in the cold and fog on Friday.  They worked great.  The seals at the legs stopped water from getting into my booties and sock liners. With my NRS Powerhouse paddle jacket, the Endurance pants and the Farmer Johns, I stayed dry and warm.  The outside of my pants were really wet but none of the moisture made it through the fabric barrier.  They're not quite as water tight as a dry suit but with the wide neoprene seals at the waist of the pants and the jacket, they're pretty close.  The only negative is: the pants have to be loosened and pulled down to use the relief zipper in the wet suit.  I think the trade off between cold and wet vs. dry and warm will be worth the inconvenience.  I just couldn't do the matching dry suit thing.  Two matching outfits on the team is enough!

Martin

3mm with nothing else is quite thin for use out on big blue.  You'll want some upper body cover for those cold early am launches.  And no, 1/2 mm is practically nothing.  I don't think you could perceive any difference in thermal protection b/t 2.5 and 3mm.

Camaro is a european brand.  I've had one for five years now, got for 40 bux at sierra trading post.  5mm, full torso double zip, seams all intact. works great still, and I've been pretty rough with it.

With a little work you can install a relief zipper in any wetsuit, although I wouldn't do it in one I planned to dive in, it just lets in too much water to be comfortable, I get cold easy, to the point that I bought a 5mil and consider it a minimum for ocean and winter bay outings.

The warmth factor may not be all that noticeable between 2.5 and 3ml if they actually measure out at those exact thicknesses. I know I have two different pairs of neoprene gloves that I wear for surfing. One is supposed to be 2ml and one 3ml. The difference between these two glove's thicknesses is actually greater than 1ml and the 3ml one is probably twice as warm. Also keep in mind that in general the thicker the neoprene the more resistant it will be to tearing, punctures, and wear. In short.....get the 3ml. jim

I use the 3 mil NRS johns with a dive skin under them, no problems

The only negative is: the pants have to be loosened and pulled down to use the relief zipper in the wet suit.  I think the trade off between cold and wet vs. dry and warm will be worth the inconvenience.  I just couldn't do the matching dry suit thing.  Two matching outfits on the team is enough!
Martin

How much of an inconvenience is this and does your FJ get wet from the seat?  I'm really interested in the tempest pants, but I also drink a lot while otw so it's a concern.

I have a shorty in 2.5mm and an FJ in 3mm. I spent a cold 20 minutes in the Big Blue off Santa Cruz in the 3mm FJ once and bought a dry suit shortly after. I am not a SEAL trainee in BUD/s so why endure the suffering? Could I? Sure. It's more mental than physical anyway—it's about embracing suffering. But I fish for mental meditation these days. I want to enjoy fishing and kayaking—I'll let the younger guys take over on the "Suffer Tour" if they want to. I use my 2.5 shorty and a 3 FJ inland but the 3mm FJ hasn't seen much use any more though I might use it inland in early season under splash pants and top. I did wear it cleaning out the pool (64 degrees F) a month ago