Back into Freediving and need Intel on 7mm wetsuit

Hi Divers:

        Fishing sucks and, I need to put some fish on the Table.
I'm looking some advice on a 7mm FarmerJohn setup
for Ab/Spear Fishing in Norcal.
       
                                                        Thanks in advance
                                                        Ernie

Go cheap is my advice.  7 mm full suit (farmer john and top) is available for less than a hundred bucks.  A hood will put you out another $25 or so.  Get good booties for $25 to $75 depending on how much sole you want on them.  Mask and snorkel can be cheap - just make sure they fit your face.  Weight belt options vary - you'll probably spend from $30-$50.  Gloves are over-rated.  Go with the "natural hand" and we'll compare scars over a few beers.   

I dunno if I agree with Eric completely.  Cheap is good - if it fits and is comfortable.  I frigging HATE poor fitting wetsuits.  If they flush water, are too tight, or too inflexible they can make you diving experience misery.

Because i've got too many expensive hobbies and kids in college and a modest income, I combined my freedive spearo stuff with my surfing stuff.  For free diving, I use my hooded 5-4 mm surf suit (excel) with a shorty (2 mm ) underneath.

I have a good 2 piece 7mm suit, but I only use it for tank diving.  I find it way too confining for freediving.  I feel like the Michelin Tire Man when I use it.

If you're like me and hate getting cold, good gloves, booties, and hood are a good idea, as much heat gets lost through your extremities.

For just freediving, i prefer a one piece suit with the hood attached; however, I've noticed that the good freediving suits by Omer and such are 2 piece.  I'm sure they know what they're doing, and if you've got the loot (they're expensive), they are probably the way to go for freediving.  They're made out of really flexible neoprene.

My 2 cents,

Dave

Hi Yakers:

           I was hoping to use the Johns for both Kayak fishing and Ab diving. I have a P.A.D.I. Cert but, I can't afford the gear.
                                                                              Thanks
                                                                              Ernie

I have a one piece suit that zips up the back its a7,4,3 mm. 7mm for core warmth and thinner material for rub areas like armpits. Then i use a vest/ hood. This keeps my core even warmer. At 5-11 and 175lbs I don't have a lot of body fat for warmth. Like Dave says not too tight and definetly not loose at all. Your body will warm the thin layer of water against your skin. Gloves are paramountI think. I have been diving for over 30 years and I wouldn't even think of diving without gloves. When your hands go numb you may not be able to function properly in an emergency. This isn't So-cal and in the spring water temps can be in the 40's. I reccommend a black silicone mask. White or clear lets in too much ambient light and its hard for me to see correctly. Black around the edges frames everyting and makes it seem lighter. And don't forget to drink lots of fluids so you can pee in your suit for that rush of warmth.

Hi Yakers:

  I saw on-line a  John/Short LS at Diver Dans' for $200.00.
What do you all think?
                                                              Ernie
                                                         
                                                         

                                       

http://www.diverdans.com/detail.aspx?ID=519

Never mind Abking,
 Hes evolved into a Canadian up there and doesn't feel the cold anymore.
 The Henderson hyperstretch farmer john is the best thing there is.[ and the most expensive]
 Take off the jacket " easily" when its hot....stay warmer then anyone out there when its not.
With no back zip involved ...you never need a helper and the hyperstretch stays more comfortable then any suit out there.
The rough weather and wave action makes lot of divers fell ill at ease and queasy if the hood chokes you. Choking in the swells is very uncool. If it fits well, thats a big plus.
 Actually though, if you got a really good fit on a cheaper suit, that counts for a lot.
Steve

 The Henderson hyperstretch farmer john is the best thing there is.[ and the most expensive]
 Take off the jacket " easily" when its hot....stay warmer then anyone out there when its not.
With no back zip involved ...you never need a helper and the hyperstretch stays more comfortable then any suit out there.

WORD on Henderson.
I have the Gold Core and my GF has the Hyperstretch.
VERY comfortable and very forgiving if your weight should fluctuate.
I was having a prob with acid reflux and was constantly puking while diving even though I didn't feel sick. After I was diagnosed I got my Gold Core and haven't had that problem at all.
My other suits just squeezed too much.
Diving is so much more fun when you are comfortable. I prefer to spend my time in the water enjoying the water. If you are just gonna jump in, pop 3 and exit then you can forego some comfort vs. cost.
it is also easier to find a Gold Core or Hyperstretch on Ebay that will fit because they are so forgiving. I got a 2 pc 7mm farmer john Henderson Gold Core for $105, shipping included.

It depends what you want to do - If you plan to dive once in a while for short periods of time ( 1 - 2 hrs) grab abs and shoot fish while you're at it, then SCUBA stuff will do you fine; If you're thinking being in the water for 3hrs + you may consider a freediving (Skin in) suit, for warmth and comfort.
There are good deals to be had on CL - people take a SCUBA class, buy their own gear then realize is not their thing - so they sell their stuff..their loss your gain.
I have an Imersion Esclapez size 2 suit, hood attached you can have for $100.  I thought it was a 5 mm but compared to my picasso 7mm it's about the same thickness so I'm not sure it's a 5, 6 or 7 mm. You can try it on or even take it for a dive.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,9655.msg86284.html#msg86284

Hi Yakers:

  I saw on-line a  John/Short LS at Diver Dans' for $200.00.
What do you all think?
                                                              Ernie
                                                         
                                                         

                                       

http://www.diverdans.com/detail.aspx?ID=519

I highly advise buying a suit in a situation where you can try it on first - or be able to return it.  A bad fitting suit will make you miserable.

Like everyone here has said, depends on allot of things as to what's best for you, I've been diving for over 20 yrs, and 2 yrs ago I treated myself to a 7mm picasso, all I'll say is OMG, few things so far surpass their advertising, it's warmth, flex, and fit are unbelievable, lots of money well spent for my opinion.

but with all that said, I think you could match all that at half the picasso price, look at some of the Xcel suits.

Good luck, it is so personal a choice that it's hard to give advice.  

One thing though, the purist freedive suits like the Omer, and Picasso aren't going to hold up as well as a 2 piece nylon in and out scuba suit.

Oh and I love Eric's, posts, vids, music, outlook on life, etc, but I would never dive without some really good gloves...

Dale L

I've got a Harveys Farmer John , 20+ years old and believe it was a good entry level suit at the time , guess now it is probably " Old School ". Nylon layer inside and out and fit nicely when new , think it is shrinking a bit in the past few years . I believe a 7mm suit and plenty warm , on occasion I unzip it a bit for a cooling effect , believe I could stay in the ocean as long as I like in it , never get cold at all .
GLOVES - UNDERATED !!! Don't you  believe it , I remember my rockpicking days , just a wet suit and tennis , miserable - numb hands and feet . I take my gloves off now and any water inside is 98.6 or so degrees , plenty warm .
Warning about suits with a nylon pile lining , I've rented those before and got to feeling real bad in them ( overheating ) , no fun at all !

Bodega Bay Pro Shop was clearing out some of their open cell 7mi freedive suits a week ago or so.

http://shop.bbprodive.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=27

treated myself to a 7mm picasso, all I'll say is OMG, few things so far surpass their advertising, it's warmth, flex, and fit are unbelievable, lots of money well spent for my opinion.

I did the same - Harold "Fuzz" recommended this suit to me, I LOVE IT Although, it's the first wet suit I have ever owned...I can't really compare it to any other. - I've used the 7Mil Oceanic scuba dive suit (for my scuba cert last year) and they don't hold the heat compared to my picasso......just my 2 cents...

My Picasso suit was $350.00 (with shipping cost from Spain) out the door - not bad IMO.....

I NEED TO DIVE MORE

I NEED TO DIVE MORE

Oye! Primo...you should just sell your suit it's a shame to see it go to waste like that.  It probably gets kind of lonely hanging up in the closet right next to your sequence disco shirts, your platform shoes, and your miami vice sports jackets.