Pitlamp
Well-known member
Having had a sort out of a load of gear during the lockdown, I've decided I need a new wetsuit for wet caving trips. I'm interested in current thinking about the best option, because in my opinion a lot of the wetsuits folk buy for caving these days are not very well designed (for caving). The photo with this post is the end of a leg of a wetsuit that shows three features which are poor but typical of the bad design of many suits these days. (I'm not going to mention the make because that company's products are mainly very good and I don't want to give the wrong impression.)
1. a seam at 90 degrees to the long axis, which allows little stretch, so it's a nightmare to get over the foot when dressing - especially in 70 mph horizontal rain.
2. seam construction incorporating a fabric tape and sewn straight through the neoprene in four rows. That's four rows of holes which allows very efficient circulation of cold water.
3. double lined neoprene, which is far colder than the single lined variety (when the lining on the latter is on the inside). This video I came across confirmed my strong suspicions that a nylon lining on the outside traps water, the evaporation of which then causes cooling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yoW-151mVI Also, as it's the nylon covering the neoprene which shrinks and makes the suit stiffen, a double lined suit will always be far more uncomfortable than a single lined equivalent (which is not exactly ideal for a very active and endurance pastime such as caving).
Anyway, I really want a one piece suit - possibly made to measure (as a giraffe like me often finds standard sizes aren't the best fit). I'm particularly interested in forum members' views on a back zip as opposed to a front zip. (A back zip is far less convenient for opening when ventilation is needed in dry, sweaty passages but as one's chest is more often in the water in wet crawls than one's back, maybe the lack of leakage in the chest area could be an advantage for a caver?)
Anyone got any recommendations where I can buy a good suit, preferably made of very stretchy neoprene? Don't mind paying top dollar as long as it does the job.
What do folk reckon is the optimum neoprene thickness?
Thanks, to anyone who can help.
1. a seam at 90 degrees to the long axis, which allows little stretch, so it's a nightmare to get over the foot when dressing - especially in 70 mph horizontal rain.
2. seam construction incorporating a fabric tape and sewn straight through the neoprene in four rows. That's four rows of holes which allows very efficient circulation of cold water.
3. double lined neoprene, which is far colder than the single lined variety (when the lining on the latter is on the inside). This video I came across confirmed my strong suspicions that a nylon lining on the outside traps water, the evaporation of which then causes cooling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yoW-151mVI Also, as it's the nylon covering the neoprene which shrinks and makes the suit stiffen, a double lined suit will always be far more uncomfortable than a single lined equivalent (which is not exactly ideal for a very active and endurance pastime such as caving).
Anyway, I really want a one piece suit - possibly made to measure (as a giraffe like me often finds standard sizes aren't the best fit). I'm particularly interested in forum members' views on a back zip as opposed to a front zip. (A back zip is far less convenient for opening when ventilation is needed in dry, sweaty passages but as one's chest is more often in the water in wet crawls than one's back, maybe the lack of leakage in the chest area could be an advantage for a caver?)
Anyone got any recommendations where I can buy a good suit, preferably made of very stretchy neoprene? Don't mind paying top dollar as long as it does the job.
What do folk reckon is the optimum neoprene thickness?
Thanks, to anyone who can help.