Wetsuit Options

[rcwild]

<img src=http://www.canyoneering.net/images/farmerjohn.jpg hspace=8 vspace=4 align=left>Farmer john wetsuits, like the one pictured here, provide quite a bit of versatility. This one is a 3mm suit that comes with a separate 3mm jacket.

Depending on conditions, the suit and jacket can be worn separately or together. The farmer john and jacked combined provide 6mm over the torso.

[rcwild]

<img src=http://www.canyoneering.net/images/7wetsuit.jpg hspace=8 vspace=4 align=left>This is a 7mm semi-dry wetsuit made by Camaro of Austria. Over the suit, this canyoneer is wearing a 6mm torso suit with hood. Total 13mm on torso.

[rcwild]

<img src=http://www.canyoneering.net/images/drysuit.jpg hspace=8 vspace=4 align=left>Drysuits are waterproof and have gaskets at the neck, wrists and ankles to keep water out. They don't insulate. Insulating layers are worn under the suit.

Drysuits are lighter and much less bulky than wetsuits, but they are expensive.

[funintheslots]

What's the warmth factor for the tattos? My farmer john is pretty cold; would getting big tats make it warmer?

[rcwild]

Anecdotal research suggests that tattoos will make you feel 5.6 to 8.3 degrees warmer, depending on the percentage of body area covered by the tattoos.

That's my son, Zachary. USMC, MP, martial arts instructor. The tattoos started when he was 16 and keep growing.

[funintheslots]

Sounds worthwhile - sadly, I have nowhere that isn't covered by hair to tatto - excluding the top of my head. :rolleyes:

Congrats on Zachary's accomplishments. I don't have kids, but my nieces and nephews around his age have accomplished - just about zilch. :(

[Elijah]

A few of my buddies have sealskin socks with water blockers and they love em...I'm thinking about purchased a wetsuit and was wondering what the best options were for my feet. Can I wear socks that will keep my feet dry (such as the sealskinz) and have them still work when wearing a wetsuit or a drysuit? Doesn't the waterblocker need to be against the skin? I hope these dont' come across as dumb questions.

[John Styrnol]

Gators and Brook's seem to be some nice neoprene socks.

[mtngoat59102]

What type of canyons are you anticipating your use will be for 80% of the time? Looking for a Pine Creek type experience or Imlay?

Are you a full figured fella with a little insulation built in or are you 130# soaking wet and freeze while taking out the trash? What experience do you have that might teach you about your tolerance of cold water? When learning about what it takes to keep 'you' warm it is best to error on the side of safe. More is better until you fgure out what is enough. Errors in judgement in this department can kill you.

3/2 full is a good place to start. 3mm - 5mm John and Jacket offers lots of combo options plus is warm when worn together. (John/jacket combo can be bulky and heavy to carry if it's more than you need) Some people feel the john/jacket combo lends itself to more water exchange. Bottom line, you might get more warmth for the weight with a full suit. Like anything there are trade offs.

I own a 3mm vest w/attached hood that really pumps up the warmth of any suit I wear it under. It packs small, doesn't weigh much and turns my 3/2 full into a really warm unit when put together. Not necessarily warm enough for brutal cold but warm enough for all but the long, wet and really cold canyons.

Owning a shortie wetsuit is really nice for those trips where a little added warmth is wanted but the weight and bulk of a full suit are not. I personally don't think a shortie has enough versatility to be a 'first' purchase item unless you know your use will be limited to suitable applications.


Fit of the suit is very important. A suit that leaks or exchanges much water might make even 7mm a form of pseudo protection.

[mtngoat59102]

I did not have good long term results from my sealskinz. YMMV I have settled on your basic 3mm neo sock. Variations exisist and not all are created equal. The perfect mouse trap for socks has not been invented yet. The socks that Zion Adventure Company rents out/sells are REALLY nice but they have a textured soul and your shoes need to fit kinda big for them to be comfortable.

I like to wear a thin poly pro sock liner under my neo socks. It makes them slip on and off much easier. Keeping a thinner wool hiking sock under your neos will also add a little extra warmth if you have the room in your shoes.

[paulsailer]

I found that an old windsurfing neoprene shoe inside an oversized 5-10 canyoneering shoe with the insert removed,works really well, warm and comfortable