Undergarments: Polypropylene, Polartec or Fleece?

[Seth T.]

I'd like to get some new undies. I currently dive poly (albeit OLD thermals) and like them a lot. They have excellent moisture wicking. I'm considering adding a layer of fleece or polartec for winter or possibly just getting a new, thicker pair of poly's. Any thoughts?

(I'd considered Thinsulate, but considered them waaaaay too warm for me. Overkill. Remember, 93 minutes in a wetsuit baby!)

[dsteding]

I'd like to get some new undies. I currently dive poly (albeit OLD thermals) and like them a lot. They have excellent moisture wicking. I'm considering adding a layer of fleece or polartec for winter or possibly just getting a new, thicker pair of poly's. Any thoughts?

(I'd considered Thinsulate, but considered them waaaaay too warm for me. Overkill. Remember, 93 minutes in a wetsuit baby!)

Consider the thermal properties when wet, not just dry. All drysuits become wetsuits at some point . . . and it may be an issue of comfort or safety when that happens.

Polartec in that regard is supposed to work better wet than fleece. Thinsulate is obviously better, and you can get a good, thin, thinsulate undergarment for not too much money (think the Bare undergarments from Leisurepro).

[Grateful Diver]

I really like SoftWear ... http://www.softweardiving.com/

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[cardiver]

custom 200 or 300g fleece from Softwear, Seth. The fit is perfect. The price is right and they will keep you warm this winter.

[John Rawlings]

I have been thoroughly soaked due to a screwed up inflator valve on my dry suit, and yet was able to keep diving for a week with it because I was using a Weezle undergarment.

We were up in Barkley Sound, BC, and getting another dry suit my size was simply not an option way out there.....neither was not diving! I dried the Weezle in the wind between dives and "kept on truckin'!"

http://www.weezle.co.uk/

- John

[Seth T.]

I really like SoftWear ... http://www.softweardiving.com/

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Sweet, I'll take a look at them. Thanks!

[Dogboy]

Weezle is the BOMB! Haven't been chilled since I got it, but then, I was never able to do 93 minutes in a wet suit before, so it might be too much garment for you. I loves my Weezle!

[Seth T.]

Yeah, I'm a warm sucker. I think I'd sweat to death in a Weezle. Also, my suit is a full 7mm neoprene, so I'm limited on the size of undies I can wear. Though, it's also warm in and of itself!

[Burntchef]

weezle does make a neoprene specific undergarment as well.

[Dogboy]

I am diving a DUI CLX450, basically a shell suit without any inherent insulating properties. With a 7 mil drysuit, even the lightest Weezle might be to warm for you. Back in the day (early 80's) I dove a Posiedon Unisuit, which was a full neoprene (7mm?) drysuit. We didn't have purpose built undergarments back then, just wore sweats under our suits (usually cotton, which didn't help all that much, but hey, when you're 18, you expect to get cold). When things got too cold, I would layer in polypropelene long underwear. Today, you have a vast selection of possibilities to choose from. With a 7mm drysuit, you can probably get away with NOT buying a drysuit garment, but do the REI longjohn route and save money- esp since you are not that sucseptable to the cold.

[Seth T.]

With a 7mm drysuit, you can probably get away with NOT buying a drysuit garment, but do the REI longjohn route and save money- esp since you are not that sucseptable to the cold.

Exactly!

My poly long-johns that I use I bought at REI and have used them for skiing for 15 years. Only recently I bought my drysuit and these have defected to undergarment duty. I've been quite warm, but now that the water temp (AND air temp) are getting down there, I'm concerned about the chill. I figure that if I buy warmer undies BEFORE I freeze, that's a smart thing. (Kind of like "clear your ears before you feel the squeeze".)

[Dogboy]

The other option is to just double up. My wife dives with her DUI fleece one piece under her drysuit in the warmer monthes, then adds poly-pro long underwear during the colder monthes. An added layer makes all the difference.

[ArcticDiver]

There are several pet ways to stay less cold, don't think one can be really warm in cold water. Don't overlook Underarmour Cold Gear. They can be layered with even a cheap fleece sweat suit for real comfort at a very reasonable price.

In the end we are all a bit different so expect to spend a few bucks discovering just what works for you.

[H20doctor]

I bought Fleece from REI, and I am perfectly warm.. atop for 35.00 and some PJ bottoms for about the same...

[Seth T.]

I bought Fleece from REI, and I am perfectly warm.. atop for 35.00 and some PJ bottoms for about the same...

Sweet. I just ordered some heavyweight thermals from REI. $65 for both top and bottom. I'll probably roast.

[texdiveguy]

Thinsulate and fleece.

[Matt S.]

Hmm, old thread, but...

I just got the "200 g quilted 3 layer" garment from this ebay seller and I am very pleased.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZrondel101bjrr

For about $70 shipped I have what seems to be the equivalent of a $200 dive shop garment.

Edit: I had a couple of PMs, the insulating material in these is fleece, 240 g. I'll post an update tomorrow after I dive it, but from trying it on at home I can already tell it's warmer than my previous solution, which was adequate.

[Maverick]

Seth if you buy a new undergarment and its not a weezle you are purely wasting your money. but if you are not interested in a weezle from JR then maybe you would like to pick up my old undergament which i dont use anymore because i have a weezle. it is a double layer stretch tight thinsulate undergarment, 329.95 new, you can have it for 100 bucks! it is in great shape and washed aand folder with your name on it and a nice warm place for your bum. you can look at if want or even dive it once if youd like. PM if you are inteerested
BJ

[Sea of Green]

I've always used two layers of undies. The standard undergarment included with the drysuit was never quite warm enough. The long-johns I wear under the undergarment are PolarMax. I bought them a size too small so they would fit snug and not trap air. Even after I've gained a few pounds they're still fit comfortably.

Although I've been fairly content with the undergarment that came with my USIA, I've never looked at the label until this thread. 50% polyester, 50% cotton. Cotton?! WTF were they thinking? Maybe it's time to reconfigure my undergarments too.

[Maverick]

sea f green thats the problem they weren't thinking!