New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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Wetsuits - Which wetsuit to get

cluthapete		Posted : Thursday, 8 November 2012 2:27:11 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 3/05/2012(UTC) Posts: 50 Location: balclutha Thanks: 51 times Was thanked: 46 time(s) in 17 post(s)		Hi everyone, I need a little advice on wetsuits. Have been watching TM for an older one, but not too many big ones coming up I’m guessing I need about a size 6 going by some of the charts I’m probably going to have to buy a new one, but do I get a normal wet suit or semi dry I see one outfit has 7.5mm 2 piece semi dry for $400. But not knowing anything about semi dry suits, well any suit really, it would be more good luck than good management if I got the right one Any advice would be great thanks

gingerbreadman		Posted : Thursday, 8 November 2012 5:20:08 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/07/2010(UTC) Posts: 473 Location: south of the black stump Thanks: 34 times Was thanked: 96 time(s) in 74 post(s)		Hi Pete What ever you decide to get make sure its got a full length zip in the front nothing worse than fighting to get in and out of a suit...i just use a 2 piece 7mm i think this 1 is Titanium 1 i get a different one every year as they get worn out pretty quick but shopping on tm is great sometimes you can pick up a near new wetty for a $100.

overdog		Posted : Thursday, 8 November 2012 7:01:43 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 2/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 418 Location: nelson Thanks: 69 times Was thanked: 82 time(s) in 68 post(s)		Hi Pete-most important whichever 1 you get-TRY IT ON! Fit is critical-you dont want any dead space but at the same time not too tight either. Personally I'd go for a 7 mil semi dry with a hooded vest underneath that-gets cold after 5 or so hours in a creek!

garrymac		Posted : Thursday, 8 November 2012 9:14:24 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 84 Location: dunedin Thanks: 26 times Was thanked: 26 time(s) in 19 post(s)		Hi Pete, a two piece is the way to go, and yes, try it on ,Plastic bags over feet help slideing on bottom half. If you are going sniping or dredgeing a cheap pair of knee pads will save the knees of suit. Gloves are a hard call, Ive tried a lot of different ones but havnt found a pair of dive gloves that handel the rocks for long,Those nitril rubber ones work but dont keep your hands warm,,good luck!!

digahole!!		Posted : Saturday, 10 November 2012 5:04:07 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 22/01/2012(UTC) Posts: 89 Location: chch Thanks: 19 times Was thanked: 47 time(s) in 28 post(s)		Both Semi dry and normal wetsuits work on the sample principal, they let water in, your body warms it, it stays inside your suit and you stay warm. That being said the semi dry suit has "seals" around the wrist and ankles that are designed to minimize water flow out of the suit, however if you will be bending your wrist a lot moving rocks etc, they won't make much difference. What you want is a suit that fits, not too tight, not too big either, I would go for a 2 piece 7mm suit, the jacket must have an attached hood, you don't want cold water blasting down your neck when your working in the current, if you like staying really warm get a hooded vest to go underneath the jacket as well. 7mm around your legs and arms and 17mm around your midsection-vitals. Don't forget the wetsuit socks, or booties with a hard sole.

Lammerlaw		Posted : Saturday, 10 November 2012 6:56:19 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		A two piece wet suit is a good bet - I have had several two piece (plus separate hood) 7mm blue Morays and they were great and then I got an 8mm Apollo wet suit and it was murder on me - the hood was part of the jacket and it used to sort of cut into my neck and the 8mm was just that little bit too thick for comfortable movement and it was like wearing a straight jacket and incredibly tiring. I also got chain mail gloves and these protected the PVC gloves I used to wear but the chain mail gloves evebntually broke but when they were new they were great. A handy hint I found was making knee pads out of car tyre tubes - free and effective and you could make dozebns and have them lying around everywhere - they never got lost or at least you could always find a pair!

cluthapete		Posted : Saturday, 10 November 2012 9:37:03 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 3/05/2012(UTC) Posts: 50 Location: balclutha Thanks: 51 times Was thanked: 46 time(s) in 17 post(s)		Thanks for the advice and tips guys. They have given me a better idea of what to look for Great tip with the tires Lammerlaw

kiwikeith		Posted : Sunday, 11 November 2012 9:58:48 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Medals: Groups: Registered Joined: 28/06/2011(UTC) Posts: 648 Location: hector Thanks: 359 times Was thanked: 230 time(s) in 154 post(s)		what a great idea for knee protection ive hear of wearing chainsaw chaps as for gloves i just use rubber gardening gloves grey ones they last about 4 to 5 days then staring going in the finger ends so out with the duck tape and i get another 5 days and they are only $12 a pair hands get alittle cold but they are still on the end of my arms i tried diving gloves but at $ 75 a pair they were just to expensive even with heavy leather welding gloves over the top went to the claim yesterday for a play but with the snow still on the tops the water is still very cold only using a snokel could bring myself to use my hooker icecream headack the river had flooded over winter so all my holes had to be resucked but even then the flood gold was still there