Wetsuit question???

Hello all,

I'm looking to start spearfishing around the Monterey area and was wondering about wetsuit thickness.  I surf around the area a lot and have a 4/3mm but don't think that will work for freediving. Thoughts? What suit are you all sporting out there?  Likes, dislikes...  Also, is camo really necessary?  I realize that the suits look cool and that an ounce of appearance equals a pound of performance but do the fish care?

Be safe and thanks for the input

I would get a 7mm. Better to be too warm than too cold, especially if you decide to go north.
The open cell suits are supposed to be super warm, but they mostly come in camo, which isn't my preference.
I have yet to buy an open cell, but probably will soon. They run around $400 I think!

Otherwise, you can a suit for $250 or so.
Anyway, better to be too warm than too cold!

What Andrew said!

If I had a bunch of cash laying around I would try one of the pretty camo open cell ones...but I don't!

 

And...I hear that open cell stuff rips/tears easily and I am pretty (ok very) rough on my gear so figure I better stick with the cheaper stuff!!

Let us know when you want to go out!!

PG has plenty of good territory to explore!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Open cell suits are:

Almost impossible to get on without some type of lube, I use extreme amounts of baby powder, wet lubes work better.

Less durable than 2 sided nylon suits, (N2)

Easy to find in black,

More expensive than N2 suits,

Definetly more comfortable (strechy and form fitting) than N2 suits.

Definetly warmer per mil than N2 suits

Generally less bouyant and allow you to use less wt.

Definetly worth the money if you can afford it. 

I dove for 20 years in N2 scuba suits then switched to a Picasso (over priced, others are as good and more reasonable) and found the suit so much BETTER than advertised.  Love it.......

Jim,

you would destroy that suit the first day! Trust me, I bought open cell booties, and didnt lube my big ass feet enough and blew them out in 2 minutes of trying them on... bummed..

your a life long neoprene dude for sure....

Jim,

you would destroy that suit the first day! Trust me, I bought open cell booties, and didnt lube my big ass feet enough and blew them out in 2 minutes of trying them on... bummed..

your a life long neoprene dude for sure....

Are you saying I am not the stealthy, delicate, precise, gentle, light footed, nimble ninja I think I am in my dreams?!?

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Jim,

you would destroy that suit the first day! Trust me, I bought open cell booties, and didnt lube my big ass feet enough and blew them out in 2 minutes of trying them on... bummed..

your a life long neoprene dude for sure....

Are you saying I am not the stealthy, delicate, precise, gentle, light footed, nimble ninja I think I am in my dreams?!?

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

+1

Thanks everyone for the advice.  Looks like its a 7mm for me. 

And Jim, when I get all my stuff together, I will definitely look you up for an intro if that would be alright.  I would be stoked to have you guys that have knowledge show me the ropes.

Thanks again.

Greg Hurst