Suit Search

Started searching for 7mm freedive suits today, around the $300 price range.  I have a 7mm one piece chest zip scuba suit that I have been using for the last 2 years, but I just started getting very cold wearing it.  Any time I'm in the water for 2 or more hours, I freeze! 

So, here is what I came up with so far;
Cressi 7mm; http://www.spearfishingworld.com/cressi-sub-tecnica-brown-camo.html
The classic Mako option; http://www.makospearguns.com/product-p/m2a.htm

I may go the Mako route because I'm cheap, and replace the velcro with clips from Beuchat, unless of course there are other suggestions...

I'm not sure what type of hood setup you use but have you thought of a "good" vest with attached hood. Of course you may already be doing that, but if not the attached hood stops the water flow down the back and makes a huge difference.  On the other hand I had experiences like yours and went ahead and bought a Picasso 7mm (way overpriced) but I love it. 

The Mako is great, great price too. I purchased it for the price.

No issues with the velcro, I have even forgot to close the velcro and swam around all day, crazy warm. You will never be cold again, ever.

You will never be cold again, ever.

Oh, you will. 

But after a lot of time and use, when the neoprene inevitably begins to crease and compress.

check out gat-ku. its a polespear company from san diego but they make a damn fine wetsuit for a damn fine price. my dive buddy has one and loves it. he has been using it for scuba and really enjoys it. the customer service is also great!

Dale; I have an integrated hood, and thought about adding a vest, but the suit is already a bit constricting and awkward.  Thanks for the suggestion though.

Porky;  Thanks, I very well may go that route...

Big Berg; That is definitely an option to be considered!  I like the idea of trousers instead of farmer john style with the 7mm.

Now boys, the last thing to consider is should I get the farmer john style in 7mm or 5mm?  Since open cells are 20% warmer, a 5mm would be like a 6mm, and doubled in the torso would be like a 12mm.  With 7mm, it would be like a 8.5mm and a 16mm in the torso...

i say go seven. its easier to get cooler than warmer in the water.

Dale; I have an integrated hood, and thought about adding a vest, but the suit is already a bit constricting and awkward.  Thanks for the suggestion though.

Porky;  Thanks, I very well may go that route...

Big Berg; That is definitely an option to be considered!  I like the idea of trousers instead of farmer john style with the 7mm.

Now boys, the last thing to consider is should I get the farmer john style in 7mm or 5mm?  Since open cells are 20% warmer, a 5mm would be like a 6mm, and doubled in the torso would be like a 12mm.  With 7mm, it would be like a 8.5mm and a 16mm in the torso...

Most suits are not doubled in the torso. The torso portion of the farmer john is usually about 2-3mm thick, at least from what I've seen.

Excellent.  That makes it a bit easier.  Though my first suit ever was a 7mm farmer john with a jacket, and it was 7mm all over, which made me a bit too toasty.  Anyone with a Mako know what thickness the torso on the farmer john is?

You will never be cold again, ever.

Thaths cuz your skin and bones dude! when you pass 40, you gain weight (warmth) and loose feeling (warmth)

Oh, you will. 

But after a lot of time and use, when the neoprene inevitably begins to crease and compress.

Ah, the mako suit says the farmer john pants double the thickness in the torso...  Back to the old question; 5mm or 7mm?

Ah, the mako suit says the farmer john pants double the thickness in the torso...  Back to the old question; 5mm or 7mm?

7mm

1. The neoprene compresses over time, especially along the sides.
2. You could always cut the top of the farmer john off if you get too warm or want to take a dump more easily.
3. You could always let some water in to cool down if you get too warm.

Brian,
Here's the suits I've been using for the past 5 or 6 years:
http://www.oceanoswetsuits.com/
I think they are very similar to the Mako - maybe same neoprene. They are made in Greece and they will do a custom size suit no extra charge. Right in your price range or less for 5 mil.  I always get the custom because when I go in a shop and try suits on they never fit me well. I've been diving a 5 mil suit for the last 4 years; noticed I was getting cold a lot lately so this year I bought a 7 mil. It is warm as toast but I need to use a ton of weight compared to my 5 mil. That's a pretty big downside. I think possibly the reason the 5 mil got cold is because it leaks - not due to suit manufacture but due to me using it for lobster diving and putting a lot of holes in it. The open cell suits are warm but more fragile. I think for my next 5 mil suit I will go back to a nylon lined suit. Seems counter-intuitive, but a custom sized suit that fits really well keeps me warmer than an open cell suit with holes in it!
Hope this helps.

I'll add an addendum:
 

I have a 7mm one piece chest zip scuba suit that I have been using for the last 2 years, but I just started getting very cold wearing it.  Any time I'm in the water for 2 or more hours, I freeze! 

Before I bought my first Oceanos 5 mil nylon inside suit I was using an Xcel 8-7-6 scuba suit. The new 5 mil was just a teensie bit colder, but light years better as far as freedom of movement. But the reason I bought the 7 mil this year was same as you - after a couple hours I start to freeze.
This year I will break out the Xcel for lobster diving, especially if I have to tank dive. It is a very durable suit. I used the 7 mil freedive suit for WSB hunting; just laying in the water motionless for 3 days straight. It was perfect for that.

Sold.  Mako 7mil it is.  Thanks everyone for your input!  I'm sure I'll go through many suits in my diving lifetime, but this is a good start.