Dive skin under 7mm wetsuit in NW water

[revstr]

How much would wearing a dive skin under my 7mm wetsuit contribute to keeping me warm? Worth it, or a hassle?

[dwashbur]

It's very worth it. We did that for about a year before we finally went dry, and it makes a world of difference. It also makes the wetsuit MUCH easier to put on and take off, because the suit slips right over the dive skin instead of grabbing it like it does your bare skin.

[ArcticDiver]

Can only relate my personal experience.

It made the wet suit easier to don and doff. Couldn't tell any difference in how well the suit kept me warm, or actually, less cold.

[Pinkpadigal]

If you are looking to keep warm, I would recommend going with a 3mm shorty.

I found that a dive skin, with a rental wetsuit, left me a bit colder. It was easier to get on/off, but warmer without. However, if you get a skin with your wetsuit, and both fit well, you will be more comfortable. The Washburns used the Henderson suits with the skins and they work very well.

[eliseaboo]

This is how I ice dive in WI:

3mm shorty
5mm hooded vest
7mm farmer jane
three-finger mitts
lots of lead

It's the same system I used in the Sound, and I even did multiple dives a day with that. Diving wet is completely possible, and indeed comfortable if you do it right. Weighting is tricky (no matter what, you *will* have difficulty staying down in shallow water, and you *will* be overweighted at the bottom due to compression) and it's a lot of work, but if you can't dive dry, or don't want to, get your layering fine tuned.

[selkie]

This is how I ice dive in WI:

3mm shorty
5mm hooded vest
7mm farmer jane
three-finger mitts
lots of lead

It's the same system I used in the Sound, and I even did multiple dives a day with that. Diving wet is completely possible, and indeed comfortable if you do it right. Weighting is tricky (no matter what, you *will* have difficulty staying down in shallow water, and you *will* be overweighted at the bottom due to compression) and it's a lot of work, but if you can't dive dry, or don't want to, get your layering fine tuned.

Note she is still forgetting her boots.

[scottsax]

This is how I ice dive in WI:

No boots

Note she is still forgetting her boots.

[eliseaboo]

This is how I ice dive in WI:

3mm shorty
5mm hooded vest
7mm farmer jane
three-finger mitts
lots of lead

It's the same system I used in the Sound, and I even did multiple dives a day with that. Diving wet is completely possible, and indeed comfortable if you do it right. Weighting is tricky (no matter what, you *will* have difficulty staying down in shallow water, and you *will* be overweighted at the bottom due to compression) and it's a lot of work, but if you can't dive dry, or don't want to, get your layering fine tuned.

Note she is still forgetting her boots.

SO not fair. :angry:

[selkie]

This is how I ice dive in WI:

3mm shorty
5mm hooded vest
7mm farmer jane
three-finger mitts
lots of lead

It's the same system I used in the Sound, and I even did multiple dives a day with that. Diving wet is completely possible, and indeed comfortable if you do it right. Weighting is tricky (no matter what, you *will* have difficulty staying down in shallow water, and you *will* be overweighted at the bottom due to compression) and it's a lot of work, but if you can't dive dry, or don't want to, get your layering fine tuned.

Note she is still forgetting her boots.

SO not fair. :angry:

SORRY

[revstr]

Thanks for the input, get my suit today and can't wait to see how this goes. Unfortunately I have to wait a week and a half for my first OW dive due to class logistics