Elios 7mm

[Cold_Under_Here]

I am looking at ordering a custom made wetsuit from elios with inner open cell.

Is 7mm too thick? I dive in waters as low as 3C and as high as 16C for a few hours at a time.

Who else dives in a cold climate and has used elios suits? Suggestions?

Thanks!

[Whopperhead]

I dive in Wisconsin All Year long. We do Ice dives in 5mm open cells for several hours. It's not our bodies that gets cold but our Toes or fingers. We also Go spearfishing in 0C water but there is SOMETIMES a warm water discharge to warm up. If your unsure of the 5mm go 6mm- The thinner the suit - the more flexible.

YouTube - Freeze-A-Palooza 2008

[Erik]

I have used 3/5 and 7mm suits in those same temps. I swear by the 7mm Elios, as do a few of my northern friends here! If you want long hours in the water then more is better. A 5mm will do in 2C but not for more than an hour, and the point is that by the end your breatholds will be short due to shivering etc.
I say go for it. Later on you can get a 3mm for very deep dives (20 metres+), warmer locales or if you know you will be in for less time.

[Mr. X]

A couple of other options to consider:

- how about 7mm top & 5mm bottoms (have been thinking about 5/3) - to reduce floaty legs & overall buoyancy. I find my legs are usually pretty warm.

- long john bottoms vs. high waist spearo pants. I would think long john suit in 5mm might be warmer than a 7mm spearo pants suit (having 10mm over the torso). Conversely, a 7mm spearo pants suit might be less buoyant than (or comparable to) a long john 5mm suit, for similar reasons.

[Cold_Under_Here]

Thanks for the 5/7 suggestion. I think I will definitely get a 7mm top, have yet to decide on the bottom though.

I am skinny bloke, I get cold really quickly and yes, it totally affects any breath hold attempt.

I now need to decide whether I should spend the extra 50 bucks and get the Heiwa neoprene (as opposed to the ecoline). It is not necessary for my freediving activity (diving no deeper than 5-10m) but I may want to use it for some scuba diving that I do every so often.

Looking forward to ordering my suit never the less, so I can spend more time exploring the lake.

cheers

[Erik]

Originally Posted by Cold_Under_Here

Thanks for the 5/7 suggestion. I think I will definitely get a 7mm top, have yet to decide on the bottom though.

I am skinny bloke, I get cold really quickly and yes, it totally affects any breath hold attempt.

I now need to decide whether I should spend the extra 50 bucks and get the Heiwa neoprene (as opposed to the ecoline). It is not necessary for my freediving activity (diving no deeper than 5-10m) but I may want to use it for some scuba diving that I do every so often.

Looking forward to ordering my suit never the less, so I can spend more time exploring the lake.

cheers

Get the Heiwa, especially if you're considering scuba with it. Plus the rubber will last longer. Don't cheap out, you'll regret it!

I am 6'2'' and 180 lbs- slim and get cold easily. I've tried all sorts of combinations of tops, vests, rubbers.
7mm Heiwa, pants (not johns).
Cheers.