Hi All
I'm pretty new to this site and getting back into spear fishing with my son, I've been scuba diving for over 10 years and use a 5mm semi dry, but it's now time to get a new suit and one for my son, my question is what thickness do other people use?
I was thinking a 5mm open cell as we mostly go spear fishing now, but thinking about it that would give you 10mm over your chest, great for warmth but probably restrictive (I'm guessing here), would a 3mm be ok for our (Melbourne) winter compared to a 5mm.
Thanks
Mark

5mm open cell 2 piece suit is good all year round for most. i personally get a bit cold in the middle of winter and a little bit hot in the middle of summer. For winter you could get a 3mm open cell vest and some extra warm gloves and booties.
In Summer you could obviously have a 3mm as well as the 5 but i will either just flush cold water through the suit by pulling the hood down, or i will just dive with the top half on a really warm day

Most people go for a 3mm open cell for summer and 5mm for winter but a lot depends on the individual wether they get cold easy. Some wear the torrelli speardiver which is a yamamoto rubber which is a 4mm suit and wear it all year round and swear by them.

I have a 5mm open cell and find it to be fine all year round it does get a bit worm on those 40+ days but I am lazy and can’t be bothered to adjust all my gear so I just solder on. In winter it is fine as it is 10mm through the whole chest and still moveable.
Stephen

In the summer months a 3mm is preferable, but for me the 4mm top top and lycra pants do the trick (the kmart lycra pants are nice and cheap). Can usually get 2 1/2 hours diving in without getting cold, plus you can get away with less weight. I don't tent to feel the cold though, so even in a 3mm full suit i get hot in summer down here and have to keep dumping water in.

The 4mm torrelli is fine for diving through the colder months.

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As you can see everyone has a different opinion depending whether they are a warm person or cold person.

Some guys dive year round in a 5mm and complain in winter about getting cold. I personally couldn't wear 5mm in the warmer months (Jan- April) but for the rest of the year they are great. As people have mentioned alot of people are wearing 4mm suits all year as a good balance, and sticking a vest underneath in winter.

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Breathing is Overrated

Some people swim heaps, others drift around slowly, sometimes your in a current and kicking hard. I can get cold in a 5mm over summer and sometimes boil in it in autumn. There is heaps of variables but I reckon 5mm is a good place to start.

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I have a 4mm Torelli. I use it to Scuba dive as well, and it is warm enough to stay underwater for an hour or a bit over at 30m or so. In winter I reckon it will be pretty cold for scuba diving though. I only got the suit about 6 months ago. I used to dive in a 3mm suit in winter and it was cold but ok. I am sure my 4mm will keep me well and truly warm enough in winter.

Hi to all. I am new to diving and new to Victoria. I am currently diving Beau Maris area and wanting to start heading down to Mornington and some of the piers further down. I am looking for a wetsuit but my budget is limited to around $200. I don't know the thickness needed. I don't know what an open cell wet suit is or its benefits compared to a one piece, do i get camo, if so what colour etc.. Any help appreciated.

Cheers Danny

Save up and buy a 5mm open cell. If you buy a cheaper wetsuit, you'll regret it when you have to upgrade later (soon). Don't dive piers with a gun, you'll get fined if caught.

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Breathing is cheating

3mm summer
5mm for winter.

I agree with ash, don't buy cheap and nasty. I made that mistake the wetty was fine and I thought I was on a winner until the 10th or so dives when it started falling to bits on me. now i've got 5mm open cell and think its the way to go (so far).

Thanks for the input guys, I think by the sound of it as we are heading into the cooler months I'll stick with a 5mm for both of us and see how they go next summer.
No for the research on brands etc etc.

Dont know what size you are but check in for sale thread I have a 5mm cressi wetsuit size 5 for sale $200, I am 6ft and weigh about 85 kilos and fits perfect . I also have a size 5 cressi top only in a 3.5mm which has never been used could use it as a combo with the 5 mm bottoms in summer, top is an extra $80. Whole lot $280 5mm wetsiut had only been used twice in pefect cond. My son also has his cressi wetsuit size 4m for $100 pm me if interested.

How many really warm days (35deg+) do we actually get in summer in VIC these days?

IMO it's easier to cool yourself down when you get too warm than it is to warm yourself up when you get too cold, hence I'd go the 5mm route. Sure, in an ideal world we'd all own both a 3mm and 5mm wettie, however if you're choosing between them and planning to dive in winter I'd go 5mm. As for being restrictive, I've never worn a 3mm, but I don't find the 5mm to be restrictive at all once you're in the water (walking to/from dive spot in heat is another story!).

outoftowner-Qlder: I bought a cheapie (zip-up closed-cell 5mm) and found it too cold for extended periods in VIC waters. Ended up selling it and buying the standard 5mm hooded open-cell and it has made a world of difference. Consider picking one up 2nd hand as craney suggested.