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Old 03-03-2013, 03:08 PM   #1
friendlyfire
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Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Im looking to change from open-cell to closed. I know, that sounds ass-backwards but i'm over the open-cell for trips to mexico and winter night diving.
If anyone has found a good inner-lined suit that keeps them warm as long as an open-cell, as well as flexibity, lemme know.

Ive found these so far:
Xcel HECS 1-piece w/ chest zip
http://xcelwetsuits.com/c/blog/xcel-...series-at-dema

Cressi competition 2 2-piece w/ beaver tail.
http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-divi...on-7-mm/4684/p


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Old 03-03-2013, 03:14 PM   #2
schwaman
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

i'll say the same as everytime with wetsuit questions ;-) : go custom and you can choose whatever neoprene and lining you want.
I know Elios has options with lining inside and out and I am sure other custom makers do as well.
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Old 03-03-2013, 03:34 PM   #3
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Quote:
Originally Posted by schwaman View Post
i'll say the same as everytime with wetsuit questions ;-) : go custom and you can choose whatever neoprene and lining you want.
I know Elios has options with lining inside and out and I am sure other custom makers do as well.
I forgot to mention I am looking at custom suits as well from M&B, JMJ, and Elios. If I went that route i'd go w/ a bit stiffer rubber so it won't compress as easy.
Thanks schwaman.
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Old 03-03-2013, 03:45 PM   #4
KelpOdyssey
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

You might want to consider the new Aqua-Lung, SolaFx series, hooded suit (1 piece), with a chest zipper. The 8/7 is very flexible, built well, and very warm.
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Old 03-03-2013, 04:15 PM   #5
WesleyKennedy
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

I have an xcel polar 8.7.6.5mm with hood and chest zip
And it's surprisingly flexible, and super warm.
The suit retails for over 400 I think but I got
It for 70 off Craigslist
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Old 03-05-2013, 06:01 PM   #6
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Quote:
Originally Posted by friendlyfire View Post
If anyone has found a good inner-lined suit that keeps them warm as long as an open-cell, as well as flexibity, lemme know.
There's not such a thing like that.
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:25 PM   #7
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Check out polosubusa.com. I have seen their suits and they are very high quality, and they have a model that may be what your looking for. I am placing an order for a new suit from them tomorrow.
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:37 PM   #8
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

how big are you? I have an aqua lung that is a little too snug on me. I am 6'4" and 210# so it should fit a slightly smaller guy fine. I will sell it to you for any fair amount that you think it is worth. PM me if you are interested
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:38 PM   #9
friendlyfire
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Kelpod,
Ill check that one out thx.

Wesley,
The thing im still not conviced w/ xcel suits is the rubber they use. Will it hold up to compression in 60' of water....

Marco,
Im gonna find it.

Jay,
I talked to a guy about pololsubs yesterday and im definetly looking at them. What model did u get?
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:41 PM   #10
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

Im 6'0" 175lbs. 33" waist.
What model, size, thickness is it?
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:45 PM   #11
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

As someone that has spent time in the water with scuba, commercial, and freediving I will say that the open cell is the only way to go unless you want to hadd 2+mm to get the same warmth.

A lot of commercial guys have deep thought in Ventura make open cell suits for them. Yes you still have to baby them, but nothing holds warmth like good open cell rubber.

Good luck in your quest finding the unicorn though... If you find it let us all know!
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Old 03-05-2013, 09:56 PM   #12
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

it's an aqualung aquaflex 7mm suit in XXL size
it does not have a hood attached, but I have a Bare hoodvest which you can have with it

the suit about 3 years old, but I used it only a couple of times because I liked my open cell better. It is in perfect shape, no tears or seam problems or zipper problems.
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:58 PM   #13
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

I got my girlfriend a poposub wetsuit last year. It's tailored specifically to her, which was a necessity she's got some curves ) The suit is the 5.5mm forza tre, with the Velcro buckle. It fits her like a dream, and is built extremely well. The stitching is awesome, and one of the great unseen features is the layer of nylon that is sandwiched in the middle of the rubber. This helps to prevent tears going through the suit. The rubber is soft and stretchy. Giuliano (the owner of polosub) is a great guy too.
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:58 PM   #14
catalina jay
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

I am getting the forza tre, I have seen the specatta foderata in person and it was a super high quality suit but from what I hear the forza tre is epic. The design alone is pretty revolutionary, smoothskin outside with jersey material sandwiched in between that an the open cell inner. Durability due to the middle jersey layer yet less friction with the smoothskin outer. Nothing else like it out there. It is a bit pricey but I think it will be well worth it. Not that pricey if you figure a new riffe or sporasub can run you 450-500, might as well go custom. As you can tell I'm excited!
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Old 03-06-2013, 01:56 AM   #15
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Re: Anyone dive w/ these suits?

I'm in the market for a new suit too. OP - have you found the HECS skin suit for sale anywhere??

Jay - aren't you worried about tearing up the smoothskin? Is it as fragile as it looks?
Juan, maybe you can shed some light on this since your girl has had that suit for a while?
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