Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

[bowman316]

I can't wait to get in the water. They say this suit is good down to 45 degrees. I paid 200 for a full wetsuit, with hood, gloves, and boots. I got it at leisurepro.com. incase you wanted to check the suit out.

I could have gotten a wetsuit on ebay for $90, but it did not have a hood, gloves or boots. So after all of that, it would probally be the same price. Plus it is hard to find wetsuits here, in an auctual store.

you think this is a good price? it was on sale.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

I just got the wetsuit today, and took it out for a dip!
i had my boat out on the water yesterday, and the water temp was anywhere from 45- 50 degrees. this is a 7mm wetsuit.

At first, i walked into knee deep water, and my legs were pretty cold, then i kneeled down, and i warmed up real quick. I got into waist deep water, and swam around. It was pretty warm the whole time, except sometime i felt cold water trickling into my armpit. There was no hole, but possibly maybe a weak seam or something. it looked fine to me.

it that normal?

 

[sleeper]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

A dry suit keeps you warm and dry from the water. A wetsuit works by letting your body warm a layer of water between you and the suit. The water will feel a little cold when you first get in, but once your body heats the water inside the suit it will feel fine. The water trickling in feeling when you first get in is normal.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

yea, i know that it is supposed to let water in. but after i was in the water for 5 mins or so, i only felt the water comming in at my one arm pit. maybe that was just where the air pocket was. next time i will see if that goes away after 20 mins or so.

 

[skibrain]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

For waterskiing, where you are in the water (assuming a deep water start) and out (stand up on your ski once underway) and back in (once you fall, stop to rest). The warm water that goes into your suit drains out. then cold water comes back in. Staying submerged and not moving around too much keeps the warm water inside the suit.

For watersports, the net effect is that you're protected from the wind chill mostly but you still have some shock of water going into the suit. Seams on a wetsuit are not typically water-tight like they need to be in a dry suit so a bit of leaking is pretty normal. No worries.

On the other hand I've jumped in the lake in 40 degree water without the zipper closed on my drysuit and that is an eye-opener.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

so do you think a 3-5 mm wetsuit would be ok for 40 degree water temps? assuming you will be water skiing with it?

 

[skibrain]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

I think you will be warm enough. Just a bit of a rush when you get in the water each time - but sounds like you've experienced that already so you're good to go. You will definitely like the hood with the cold weather. Doubtful if boots would work with ski bindings.

Head and hands are the big problem areas. For aggressive slalom neoprene gloves don't have enough structure for me to hang on tight. So I wear ski gloves but we bring a little cooler full of hot water along to warm up hands and feet after a run.

40 water and 42 air, Dec. 1 when we were out last in '09.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

i havent water skiied with them yet, but i was out yesterday riding the surfboard. Basically wakeboarding without bindings. So i wore the boots for that.

It was kinda hard to stand up with out the flexibiltiy.
water temp was 53 degrees. air was 60

 

[skibrain]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

My semi-dry suit is definitely not that thick. 3/5mm or 3/4mm. Arms are thinner for flexibility. I got mine on a close out for $165. The hood I use is from a 40 yr old dive suit.
Also have a neoprene headband to cover ears and forehead if I'm not wearing the hood.

The wind chill can give you a real ice cream headache at 34 mph!

If air temp + water temp = number below 100 degrees total, things tend to be uncomfortable.

In the spring, the air temp leads the water.
In the fall the water temp tends to stay up as the air drops.

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

the chesapeke can be weird with water temps. the other day, i saw water temps at 40 in one area, then 50 in another area. I think it tends to be warmer up in coves, and at the head of rivers.

 

[kriegersa]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

I personally feel 200 bucks for that is great! IMO go to a SCUBA shop and ask for a neoprene repair kit should cost anywhere from 10-30 bucks (idk haven't looked at one in a while) as it might be a loose seam or just a small tear you cant see.

Im a SCUBA diver and when i get cold and want instant warmth (may sound gross) you can pee in the wet suit, just make sure you dont keep it in there flush it out. made that mistake and i smelt like **** once back on the shore lol.


hope this helps

-kriegersa

 

[bowman316]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

oh yea, i have been doing that for years. i got my padi certification in australia. i just never owned my own wetsuit. until now.

 

[kriegersa]

Re: Is 200 bucks a good deal for a wetsuit?

oh yea, i have been doing that for years. i got my padi certification in australia. i just never owned my own wetsuit. until now.

wait you've been peeing on your self for years?


yeah i got mine done in FL with NAUI. my dad has PADI and he likes it better. but idk why.