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Thread: 3mm or 4mm Wetsuit?
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03-01-2006, 12:21 AM #1
3mm or 4mm Wetsuit?
Which wetsuit should I get for all around hikes in So. Utah. My favorite areas are Zion and Escalante (based upon hiking experience). For only 1mm difference there seems to be a big jump in thickness and stiffness.
Thanks
Jason
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03-01-2006 12:21 AM # ADS
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03-01-2006, 08:34 AM #2
I'd say go with the 3mm.... if you become hardcore you will eventually own a 5mm or a drysuit. But 3mm is great for 90% of the CP canyons. YMMV
I like the full 3mm wetsuits that sell for $50 at Sportsmens Warehouse.
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03-01-2006, 09:20 AM #3
Both in one!
4/3= 4mm on body 3mm on legs and arms.
Most of the 4/3 suits you'll find are seam sealed, which is warmer than your basic cheap 3mm that are just stitch sealed because water doesn't move through the seams . I've worn 4/3 through choprock, heaps, October Black Hole, and and a lot of less cold and wet canyons as well. When it gets extra cold i add a 2mm jacket (usually found on Sierra Trading Post for around 40 bucks). Neosport makes a 4/3 that was coming in at 70 dollars last I checked. They're a little hard to find but are findable with google. For a really good 4/3 from ONeal or BOdy Glove you'll double that, but they sure are comfy and form fitting, and mine's lasted pretty well.
What Shane says, 3mm is good for 90% of the CP canyons. Not a huge difference between 3mm and 4mm/3mm, but there is a difference, I've tried both. There is a very minimal difference in weight and bulk. I would say 4/3 would bring that percentage up to about 95% and with a 2mm jacket or a shortee under or over you MAY be able to comfortoably do all Utah canyons outside of winter if you have typical cold tolderance. I know Eric has used his 4/3 in notoriously cold places like Imlay, Heaps, and Kolob. Ram's been sporting one too and could probably provide some feedback.
One thing I've tried that isn't nearly as good as a full suit is a farmer john and jacket combo. The water flows through it and its colder than a full suit, even with more mm's of neoprone. Shortee's aren't very useful, except to make a canyon you could do without a wetsuit more comfortable or to combine with a full suit to add some mm's.
Disclaimer: What works for me may not work for you. Better to go overprepared than under until you know what your needs are. Typical recommendations for Heaps, Imlay, Kolob, full Left Fork, Choprock, a few Powell Canyons, and maybe some others I don't know about are for a minimum 5mm full body and 7mm full body recommended. In Utah, outside of these canyons, a 3mm will typically be fine. Winter canyoneering is a different story.
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03-01-2006, 04:54 PM #4
Thank you both for the replies.
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03-01-2006, 07:50 PM #5Originally Posted by rock_ski_cowboy
Eric.
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03-02-2006, 11:43 AM #6
It depends on what you are doing and when.
I did Imlay without a wetsuit one September. It was cold.
I did Black Hole on January 1 with a 3/2 wetsuit. It was cold part of the time.
In summer, you usually don't need one outside Zion, but if you do a lot of canyons in winter, you should probably get the thicker one.
Usually and luckily, most of the canyons I've done in winter have been without swimming. Winter is dry in many parts of the CP, but wet in others (Zion and parts of Escalante).
If you plan on doing a lot of wet canyons, a thick wetsuit might be good, but I haven't used a really thick one.
Just be safe.Utah is a very special and unique place. There is no where else like it on earth. Please take care of it and keep the remaining wild areas in pristine condition. The world will be a better place if you do.
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03-02-2006, 01:10 PM #7
Bottom line is if you eventually become a canyon whore you will want several different wetsuits so you can adjust to canyon conditions. A full 3/2 or 4/3 is a good stating point. Shorties pretty much blow.....
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03-02-2006, 01:20 PM #8Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I use my 4/3 most. I've pretty much worn one out and have another to start on this year.
I use my shortee sometimes cause I'm a wuss. (swell in June).
Use the 2mm jacket on top of the 4/3 quite often.
I have a couple farmer johns which I loan to friends but won't use myself cause they suck, and a 7mil which I've never used and probably never will. Too heavy!
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03-02-2006, 02:10 PM #9Originally Posted by rock_ski_cowboy
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03-02-2006, 03:15 PM #10
My 3/2 full is probably what I use the most. I have a dry top that I use instead of a shortie..... gives about the same amount of warmth at half the weight and bulk. I have a dry suit that I use in the Zion heavy hitters. A dry suit is pretty much worthless outside of Zion because they get beat up to bad in the skinny stuff.......
The Zion canyons are big, fun, comfortable and easy....... you remember.... kinda like the ugly chick you slept with in High School....
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03-02-2006, 03:19 PM #11Originally Posted by shaggy125
James
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03-02-2006, 05:49 PM #12
Thanks all. I now have an O'neill 4/3. I checked out the $50 3/2's at Sportsman's but they only had 1 in a medium. If I feel the need I may try to pick up a 3/2 on closeout somewhere. When I am ready to do the really cold wet stuff in Zions I will likely splurge on a drysuit. I hate the shiver shakes.
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03-02-2006, 08:04 PM #13Originally Posted by hike2kolob
Eric.
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03-02-2006, 08:11 PM #14Originally Posted by hike2kolob
O'Neil makes quality stuff. I just feel bad tearing up quality gear in a skinny slot.
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03-02-2006, 10:27 PM #15Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I won't mind beating the hell out of this suit, because that will mean I am using it. I'd rather that than have it sit in my closet in pristine condition.
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03-03-2006, 06:41 PM #16
Save your money and trash the rentals!
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03-03-2006, 08:10 PM #17Originally Posted by Kyrell
BTW, that's one helluva sexy avatar!It's only "science" if it supports the narrative.
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03-03-2006, 09:23 PM #18Originally Posted by rockgremlin
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