wet suits

[Christian]

looking for a wet suit for next spring.
theres an old thread on here about this but its like 2 yrs old.
what do you have? brand? thickness?
what do you usually wear on your feet with it? and how do you like it?

im not really looking to skish, just swim out to some rocks a little earlier in the tide, and wade deeper. i have been wading deep enough that i think this is a much better idea, safety wise. also ide rather buy a nice one that will last than buy a cheapo costco one.

[Pete_G]

Whatever suit you end up with, your best friend will be a drytop or splash top to wear over it when it gets colder. It will extend your season more then an extra 2mm will, imo. I've been in the water this year right thru Thanksgiving with a 5mm and a drytop and I haven't been truly cold yet.

I bought Henderson Hyperstretch full suit, which I like a lot. I can certainly see how a Farmer John style suit would give you more versatility though.

Make sure you factor in how easily you cool off; I'm rail thin so I don't exactly have much natural "insulation". Some people will cook in a 5mm.

For footwear lighter is always better, but you definitely want some support and protection. I think any of the scuba diving boots that have at least a running shoe or hiking boot insole will work well. I tie on a pair of lace up Korkers over them and it works for me.

[shadow]

pete were you ok with a 5mm suit in the summer or was it to warm?I'd rather be alittle warm then cold,I hate being cold.

[Pete_G]

I was OK, I'm sure some others would be too hot. I fished mostly during the night though. During the day in a black wetsuit I'm sure it would be a little cozy. When I get too warm I just hop in and pull the neck open and let some cool water in or I roll down the top half.

[tlapinski]

5mm Sporasub two piece suit. I have done free diving in the day in the summer to night fishing all season long in this suit. If you get too warm you can add water and cool down, but it's pretty hard to add heat. I like being warm.

On my feet I wear 2mm dive socks in my wading boots, Cabela's Guide Tech boots, and korkers. These are BY FAR the best wading boots I have ever tried. Mine are 2 seasons old (200+ trips) and still going strong. Here is a picture of the boots at the bottom of my post.

You'll want a few extra items as well. Gloves for climbing up on barnacle rocks. The new Aquaskinz gloves are great, or you can buy some thin dive gloves. You'll want at least one back up flashlite for when you drop your headlight. It's almost guaranteed you'll lose at least one light. I get very thirsty when fishing, so I always have a water jug with me. I like to have everything on a teather to my belt when I wetsuit. My pliers, water, and boga all have places on my belt. My eel bucket has a secure lid so when I fall it's safe. I fall more in my suit because it is easier to just lay down when a wave knocks you. You'll see what I mean if you end up with a suit.

I think that might be about it. I'll add in if I think of anything else.

[tobias]

Hey Toby - Bring your belt next Saturday so I can check it out again. Should be a fun night

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

I fall more in my suit because it is easier to just lay down when a wave knocks you. You'll see what I mean if you end up with a suit.

The ability the "fall safely" is definitely another highlight of the wetsuit. Being able to sort of just lay down or jump in when something big comes along really takes all the potential energy out of a fall.