Roel(Offline)

On my last trip to Mexico I got cold after 60+ so I think I really should get another suit for my next trip, since cave 2 could end up in 120+ min dives

First I was thinking about a 200 jumpsuit, but now I heared that the 300s polartec is a bit warmer and much easier to use (you can wash, wrinkle, etc).

Downside its heavier and more expensive.

Does anybody have any experience with the 300, and if so what do you think about it?

Thanx,

Roel

graham_hk(Offline)

I use a polartec exclusively here in the Philippines and its a great U/S. Used it in Florida (as do most of the GUE guys) for upto 3h and its also fine there too. I like the fact that you can wash it as in warmer climes sweating predive tends to make undersuits stink.

Graham

sasdasdaf(Offline)

i have a DUI 200g thinsulate and wish i had the 300 polartec. there is nothing wrong with the 200g, but the 300 is washable and a little warmer. maintenance is easier too.

Roel(Offline)

Graham,

Water are water temperatures like in the Philippines?

I heared Florida should be a lot colder than Mexico, but I've only been too warm 2 or 3 times in the water .

And for sweating of course I also need good thermal underwear, but I got that: merinowol works fine. Without that I would get cold because of the sweat.

Roel

Roel(Offline)

Where or for what temperatures do you use it?

PS In general I get cold quickly so too warm is hardly an issue

graham_hk(Offline)

Hey Roel,

Water temps in the Philippines:

Surface 27-30oC and below thermocline (70ish m in winter) down to 22 ish sometimes but usually much higher (25oC)

Florida is pretty close to 20oC all year round - I found my 200g unbranded thinsulate a bit warmer than the polartec 300 but as I said polartec was fine for a nearly 3h dive in Florida

Graham

nadwidny(Offline)

Why not email Chris or Danny (or Fred) and find out what they use? They are the ones doing the monster dives and know better than anyone on this forum what works.

After you've done that get back to us here and let us know what the real answer from them is.

__________________
Brian
My crappy website -
members.shaw.ca/nadwidny

Roel(Offline)

I've seen them dive there so I know already they use 200. They say that good enough over there, but they also feel perfectly comfartable with a 400 in France and I get cold in that over 100 minutes or less.


Graham,

I'm surprised to read that you feel the 200 is warmer than the 300. The number indication and temperature range by DUI indicate differently....
Can you clear that up for me?

Kind regards,

Roel

graham_hk(Offline)

no idea - but if you forced me to answer i would say the number
(200, 300 or whatever) is related to mass per area and not absolutely how much air is trapped and therefore warmth

TobyFish(Offline)

The are different brands with different materials and different construction

My 3 litre volvo is lower than my old 1.8 litre Mazda... even though 3 is a bigger number than 1.8.... go figure.