Chicago Scuba Diving

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7mm or 5/4mm wetsuit, sometimes with hood?

Shopping for a wetsuit for SCUBA and finally managed to find a reasonably priced "tall" size (I'm 6'2 and only 160lbs), now I'm having trouble deciding if I should go with the 7mm or the 5/4mm. Cost isn't a factor here because they're both the same and both are available in the medium-tall size I need. I only can't decide on the thickness because I want it to be versatile. I want a suit that can perform both where I live- Chicago area. And on more tropical/warm water trips. I originally planned (before seeing the 7 on sale) to get the 5/4 and use a hood for colder water. Now with the 7 being an option I know it would be better for my colder local dives, but am wondering if its overkill in, say, Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Any suggestions?

The right wetsuit thickness for you depends on the water temperature, the amount of time spent in the water and ESPECIALLY on your personal cold tolerance. Given that you sound relatively thin I'm guessing you might get cold easily, and so I would tend to recommend the 7mm suit on that basis even for dives in tropical waters. I'm also assuming that like most Midwesterners you will tend to be diving in the tropics during the winter months (late November thru March) so you will be dealing with relatively cooler temperatures for those regions (Caribbean - around 80 F, Hawaii - around 77 F).

Another option that you haven't mentioned is wearing a hooded vest under whichever wetsuit you choose. So another possibility would be to buy a 5/4mm suit that you would wear alone in the tropics, and a 6/4mm hooded vest that you could layer under the wetsuit when you are diving locally. This would give you a 6mm hood and 9mm over the torso, though only 4mm on your arms and legs which may not be enough when you are talking about Lake Michigan or quarries with thermoclines. Something to think about though.

When in doubt I usually recommend choosing the thicker/warmer option since it is easier to cool off during a dive -- say by opening up the neck to allow water to flush through or by partially unzipping -- than it is to warm up. In your case it also saves you money since you won't need to buy both a 5/4 for the tropics and a 7mm for local diving. Ignore any grief you may get from other travelers in the tropics, the DM on the boat will almost certainly be approving/envious and may even be wearing more neoprene than you since they probably spend a significant part of their day in the water.

Good luck with your choice.

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