Best wetsuit for caving?
- Thread starter Pitlamp
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Pitlamp
Well-known member
Following advice kindly given by Topcat, I fitted a pee zip from Lomo to one of my Decathlon "Olaian" suits (for which I'm still grateful to pwhole for pointing me at) and tested it yesterday. It works fine and does not leak water into the suit. However, it is vulnerable to damage so I also wore the top part of a cut off 2 mm thick Long John over the wetsuit (think vest with a crutch). This protects the zip and only the Long John needs to come off when the pee zip is used, not the whole suit. The Long John makes no difference to ease of movement in the (stretchy / comfortable) Decathlon suit.
To fit the pee zip I used the proper 2 part glue (also bought from Lomo) and reinforced this with a thin bead of Aquasure all around the edge of the zip tape on the inside of the suit.
This is the best wetsuit combination I've ever used for wet caves and I'm very happy with it. The addition of a thin hood attached jacket over the top allows reasonable length dives in comfort, without the mather of caving to the sump in a proper (restrictive) diving wetsuit.
There is a back zip version of the Decathlon "Olaian" wetsuit, which is considerably cheaper than the chest zip version I have. I'll wager it's also not quite as warm as it lacks the quality neckseal arrangement of the chest zip model. Here's the link to the cheaper option:
www.decathlon.co.uk
My own preference though is for the more costly chest zip version. Remember, if the back zip version is chosen, you may need to order a size bigger than suggested by the sizing chart. (I'm a 6' 2" giraffe and, like pwhole, I buy "XL".)
To fit the pee zip I used the proper 2 part glue (also bought from Lomo) and reinforced this with a thin bead of Aquasure all around the edge of the zip tape on the inside of the suit.
This is the best wetsuit combination I've ever used for wet caves and I'm very happy with it. The addition of a thin hood attached jacket over the top allows reasonable length dives in comfort, without the mather of caving to the sump in a proper (restrictive) diving wetsuit.
There is a back zip version of the Decathlon "Olaian" wetsuit, which is considerably cheaper than the chest zip version I have. I'll wager it's also not quite as warm as it lacks the quality neckseal arrangement of the chest zip model. Here's the link to the cheaper option:
Men's Surfing 4/3 mm Neoprene Wetsuit 100 - Black OLAIAN | Decathlon
This wetsuit is easy to put on, so you can get dressed quickly and comfortably during your winter sessions.
My own preference though is for the more costly chest zip version. Remember, if the back zip version is chosen, you may need to order a size bigger than suggested by the sizing chart. (I'm a 6' 2" giraffe and, like pwhole, I buy "XL".)
pwhole
Well-known member
I notice Decathlon have added the following strapline - as clearly there's an issue:
As this is a tight-fitting product, previous customers have recommended purchasing a size up.
It would make more sense to revise their sizing chart! And then you don't have to order the damn thing twice. I'm still amazed that we've both managed to get a comfortable fit from the same size, as you're definitely taller than me, but it is a very stretchy suit to be sure. I did manage to split one of the cuff tensioners recently, after a traumatic freezeathon in the Speedwell outbuilding, but it's still too tight to really be an issue. The best addition was some neoprene gloves to go with it - luxury!
Lots of info already in this thread, so thanks!
I did a fairly aqueous in parts trip last year and wore a 5mm surfing wetsuit, I got a bit toasty in the crawls, but was happy as larry floating round in the swimmy bits. Unfortunately the more crawly bits absolutely wrecked it, putting holes in the shoulders and knees (despite knee pads) after a single trip. I can't see how a wesuit won't get wrecked without an oversuit, so was thinking of using a 3mm job from warmbac with an oversuit, maybe using a 2mm vest if going somewhere cold.
Has anyone got much experience the the 3mm warmbac? Someone above mentioned getting a bit cold, but im also a bit worried about having to fight neoprene....
I have a neofleece which is great, but I think I'd get a bit cold in wetter spots. Any thoughts/info/reviews much appreiated!
I did a fairly aqueous in parts trip last year and wore a 5mm surfing wetsuit, I got a bit toasty in the crawls, but was happy as larry floating round in the swimmy bits. Unfortunately the more crawly bits absolutely wrecked it, putting holes in the shoulders and knees (despite knee pads) after a single trip. I can't see how a wesuit won't get wrecked without an oversuit, so was thinking of using a 3mm job from warmbac with an oversuit, maybe using a 2mm vest if going somewhere cold.
Has anyone got much experience the the 3mm warmbac? Someone above mentioned getting a bit cold, but im also a bit worried about having to fight neoprene....
I have a neofleece which is great, but I think I'd get a bit cold in wetter spots. Any thoughts/info/reviews much appreiated!
shotlighter
Active member
Old school way of protecting a wetsuit is to put an old boilersuit on over it & yer kneepads etc.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
Without wishing any disservice to a British manufacturer - from memory only, I think the seams on that Warmbac 3 mm are of the type that allow cold water to circulate. Also the neoprene is stiffer than other options (although this is less of a problem with the thinner material). This is why I far prefer the Decathlon one piece suits; the seams don't leak and the neoprene is really stretchy.
Leclused
Active member
I have several suits varying from a 2mm shorty up to an 8mm diving wetsuit.
Currently my preferred setup is the following
- 1.5 mm neopreen boxershort (https://www.prolimit.com/product/neoprene-shorts-airmax-15-mm/)
- 3-5mm wetsuits (prolimit - fusion), this wetsuits has a thicker part at the front that keeps my chest warmer (https://www.prolimit.com/wetsuits/men/)
- neopreen socks
- thin decatholon t-shirt
I prefer a zipper at the back so that I can open it while walking without getting it too cold at the front.
Currently my preferred setup is the following
- 1.5 mm neopreen boxershort (https://www.prolimit.com/product/neoprene-shorts-airmax-15-mm/)
- 3-5mm wetsuits (prolimit - fusion), this wetsuits has a thicker part at the front that keeps my chest warmer (https://www.prolimit.com/wetsuits/men/)
- neopreen socks
- thin decatholon t-shirt
I prefer a zipper at the back so that I can open it while walking without getting it too cold at the front.
andrewmcleod
Well-known member
I've currently got a (very nice) Decathlon 5mm sleeveless canyoning wetsuit (with reinforced bum and knees), which I've been pairing with a 2.5mm Two Bare Feet zipless wetsuit top. The top is nowhere near as nice as the Decathlon 'bottoms' in terms of thickness or waterproofing (I don't think it's got glued seams) but it was a lot cheaper 
I haven't used it in anger in a 'proper' cave yet, but it was good fun swimming around in the lake in Smoo Cave a couple of weeks ago.
Peeing can be easily achieved simply by pulling down the Decathlon wetsuit (as it is sleeveless), which doesn't require you to uncover your top half and is presumably also easy for girls (unlike most wetsuit/undersuit systems, I'm told).
I haven't used it in anger in a 'proper' cave yet, but it was good fun swimming around in the lake in Smoo Cave a couple of weeks ago.
Peeing can be easily achieved simply by pulling down the Decathlon wetsuit (as it is sleeveless), which doesn't require you to uncover your top half and is presumably also easy for girls (unlike most wetsuit/undersuit systems, I'm told).
Pitlamp
Well-known member
I fitted a waterproof P zip (from Lomo) into one of my one piece Decathlon suits, following some excellent advice from another forum member. I do wear some sort of protective covering over this suit though, as the zip is in a vulnerable place when crawling in gnarly caves. It's worth it to avoid a partial undress when you gotta go.
wormster
Active member
A Lidl, 3mm shortie that someone left at my place one day (with a back zip, and the "dog collar" at the neck cut off because I found it uncomfortable) worn underneath a furry and Warmbac oversuit paired with long neoprene socks works wonders!!
As does wearing 2 pairs of kneepads, 1 pair under the oversuit, and t'other sacrificial pair on top!, the same can be applied to elbowpads as well
As does wearing 2 pairs of kneepads, 1 pair under the oversuit, and t'other sacrificial pair on top!, the same can be applied to elbowpads as well
Sorry for the lack of response, life caught up with me a bit!
I've got a 5mm decathlon surfing one, which was toasty warm, but has knee/back/zip issues these days, and I think would be way too warm and too much resistance/effort with a an oversuit too. It did stand me well surfing for many years though!
Those prolimit wetsuits look lovely, but possibly a bit much for me!
Ive struggled to find many front zip wetsuits (rather than chest/neck entry), if anyone has seen any then I'm all ears!
I've got a 3/2.5 mm "nice" wetsuit, but I wore it swimming off the coast of Cornwall a few summers ago and had to retreat suprisingly quickly due to cold, which didn't give me much confidence in it for the likely colder cave water. Could pair with a neoprene vest and some of those long socks though. Not sure if I could get a vest on underneath it though unless I stop eating pies for a bit...
The wetsuit/furry/oversuit combo souds incredibly toasty! I think the answer is I need to get some long wetsuit socks and a rash vest and see where I end up, unless a reasonable front zip wetsuit can be found out there on the web.
Thanks for all the ideas! I'll report back once I've been to some soggy places.
I've got a 5mm decathlon surfing one, which was toasty warm, but has knee/back/zip issues these days, and I think would be way too warm and too much resistance/effort with a an oversuit too. It did stand me well surfing for many years though!
Those prolimit wetsuits look lovely, but possibly a bit much for me!
Ive struggled to find many front zip wetsuits (rather than chest/neck entry), if anyone has seen any then I'm all ears!
I've got a 3/2.5 mm "nice" wetsuit, but I wore it swimming off the coast of Cornwall a few summers ago and had to retreat suprisingly quickly due to cold, which didn't give me much confidence in it for the likely colder cave water. Could pair with a neoprene vest and some of those long socks though. Not sure if I could get a vest on underneath it though unless I stop eating pies for a bit...
The wetsuit/furry/oversuit combo souds incredibly toasty! I think the answer is I need to get some long wetsuit socks and a rash vest and see where I end up, unless a reasonable front zip wetsuit can be found out there on the web.
Thanks for all the ideas! I'll report back once I've been to some soggy places.
Leclused
Active member
What do you exactly mean by a front zip?
- a horizontal zipper at chest height ==> prolimit has several options
- a real vertical zipper ==> Cressi has several ones fe : https://store.cressi.com/collections/neoprene-suits/products/endurance-wetsuit-man
A vertical zipper, cressi looks interesting, thanks.
I'm not convinced that a furry over a drysuit is much use. It will be wet through and unless the oversuit is stopping water circulating that water will be cold. A furry under a (suitably sized) wetsuit might work but I haven't tried one.
A furry under a drysuit under an oversuit, on the other hand, is very effective. I wore that combination in Notts II one New Year and could not feel any temperature difference between standing on dry rock and chest deep water. I do admit to being nesh.
Leclused
Active member
Front zipper wetsuits are more common for divingsuits then for surfing/kiting wetsuits. So when you search for diving wetsuits you'll find several producers.
Mares a is very known producer. I personally have one Mares 8mm wetsuit with hood and frontzipper for very cold water during winter
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