I haven't had a chance to try out the 4th element artics like I wanted, but I did get to borrow Sheahan's weezle extreme plus for a comparable 2-dive day in the san juans. This was an excellent opportunity to put the weezle through the same paces i put the subxero.
First I'll share my thoughts/experience with the weezle extreme plus and then I'll note some comparisons between it and the subxero.
I went diving with REEF for 2 survey dives, James Island North Wall and Broken Point West side. There was little to no current to speak of for either dive. We were counting criters and so it was slow moving. We spent ~50 mins underwater for each dive. Topside was cloudy/overcast, not much wind and about 50 degrees, with ocassional drops of rain.
- I stayed warm, during both dives and topside.
- I stayed dry, so I can't speak to the weezles performance when wet
- I did not add any weight to my rig, I was light, had I drained my tank I would have had issues
I went on another 2-dive charter over the weekend. I was critter counting with REEF. It was fun, and this time I got to borrow Sheahan's Weezle Extreme plus.
2 dives, each 50+ mins long each. Water temperature was mid 40s. It was overcast and threatened to rain all day, but never managed more than a few drops. I was wearing:
* thin layer of polypropylene long underwear, top + bottom ($14 a piece from the army navy surplus)
* +1 more think layer of polypros on the top only (did not wear this extra top piece with the subxero).
* Weezle Extreeme +, size large
* bare trilam tech hd drysuit (shell suit)
* my standard weighting (10 lbs, did not add extra for the weezle)
My observations:
I did not get cold, underwater or topside. The dives were leisurely slow kicking w/out any current while counting fish. The weezle did me well. It is pretty bulky but compresses well enough. I really should have added weight, but did not. Had I drained my tanks I would have had issues. I was just able to stay down ~15 fsw with 1600 psi left in my HP 119. Mobility was great, I was able to reach my valves, etc.
Out of water performance was good. I dropped my drysuit down to my hips and left the weezle zipped up.
I did not leak, so I can't speak to its performance when wet.
Conclusions:
* very-warm
* you look like the michelin man
* bulky, you need extra room for it in your drysuit and extra weight to stay down
Comparison to the subxero
The subxero is bulkier and compresses less. Mobility wasn't an issue with either undergarment, but I liked the subxero separate tops + bottoms. It was easier to don/doff, use the bathroom, etc. They were both warm. In my previous review of subx I said I thought it was warmer than the weezle, I still think so. The weezle was warm, but the subx was warmer. Probably because it doesn't compress as much in your front torso. I added a layer of polypropelene to my top and there was still a tiny difference. The subx also has better construction, much heavier duity zippers, tougher fabric, etc. Its also stylish and could be worn for other activities.
It may sound like I'm gushing over the subx, I'm just trying to be fair, so heres the flip-side. The subx requires much to much weight for my preference. I was able to dive (though light) with the weezle. I had to add 6 lbs to just get under with the subx. My best estimate is +5 lbs for a weezle extreme plus and +10 for a subx (as compared to my old and crushed bare 400g undergarment). The weezle also compressed for storage / travel much better. It takes about 1/3rd the total space in its compression sack compared to the subx.
The other thing I kinda wished I could have compared was performance when wet. The subx has a fleece layer that antectodaly takes a very long time to dry out, whereas the weezle supposedly does quite well when wet and drys quickly.
Conclusions:
Its hard to say which I would purchase if buying new. Subx and weezle extreem plus are both a little less than 500 new. I would probably lean towards the weezle right now, as it performs nearly as well warmth wise and is so much less boyuant. There you go. I still would like to try out some 4th element articts if somebody would like to loan me some!
![:) :)](./images/smilies/smile.gif)