Wet Suit vs. Dry Suit ?

[ctdirtdigger]

Just getting into Shallow Water hunting and have been looking primarily at wet suits, what thickness is most appropriate for New England hunting conditions ? Also, was at a metal detecting club meeting recently and one of the water hunters was pretty adamant that the best way to go is a Dry Suit, the type worn by white water kayakers ? Any and all perspectives would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

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[RTR]

Any 7mm thick will do. Here is a list > https://www.scubadiving.com/photos/best-cold-water-wetsuits-staying-warm#page-11
Dry suits work well also.Just dont get a rip or hole in it.

 

[RTR]

My very 1st dive was under ice.We used 1/4" neoprene back then,and stayed comfortable.Here is a chart.
> https://www.evo.com/guides/wetsuit-thickness-and-temperature-chart

 

[CASPER-2]

From Ma. - hit Ct. waters for yrs
I heard of drownings with guys in waders and guys in dry suits
guys in waders try to go out farther beyond wader limits and filled up with water
guys in dry suits got a slice or hole in their suits - filled up with water
I wear wet suits - right now 7mm farmer johns with 7mm boots and gloves
I usually get tired before I get cold - I have combos of other suits I can mix and match as waters warm

 

[OBN]

Has a lot to do when you want to start hunting, wetsuit for me 60 (water temp) degrees and up, being the old goat I am drysuit from there on down to low 30's, and it takes more then a drysuit to hunt those temps for 4 to 5 hours, mostly waist to chest deep.



Here is some good reading on Wet vs dry

https://njscuba.net/gear/eqpt_03_exposure_suits.php

 

[CASPER-2]

Just have to remember to bring your gloves

Has a lot to do when you want to start hunting, wetsuit for me 60 (water temp) degrees and up, being the old goat I am drysuit from there on down to low 30's, and it takes more then a drysuit to hunt those temps for 4 to 5 hours, mostly waist to chest deep.

View attachment 1590990 View attachment 1590991

Here is some good reading on Wet vs dry

https://njscuba.net/gear/eqpt_03_exposure_suits.php

 

[adamBomb]

While I now live in the south, I am from PA and lived in NJ. I have done water activities my whole life. I've never had the need for a dry suit and always used wetsuits down to around 28 degrees. I prefer wetsuits but there are people that like the dry suits; I've just never been a fan. If you start going in the water all year you will find you need many wetsuits. I have a 3/2, 4/3, and 5/4 full suit. My boots and gloves range from 2mm to 7mm. I have wetsuit tops, shorties, and shorts. Start by asking what the air/water temp is where you are hunting and go from there. I've used my suits for swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing, etc. Buy in the off seasons and you can get great deals. I prefer surfing or diving wetsuits because I find they have the most flex. I've tried wetsuits designed for other sports and even the expensive ones tended to not last as long as my surfing ones. Then again I destroy my surfing ones in about 1-2 yrs.

 

[ctdirtdigger]

All great information OBN, Casper-2 and Adam............exactly what I was looking for........thank you !!

 

[dts52]

From Ma. - hit Ct. waters for yrs
I heard of drownings with guys in waders and guys in dry suits
guys in waders try to go out farther beyond wader limits and filled up with water
guys in dry suits got a slice or hole in their suits - filled up with water
I wear wet suits - right now 7mm farmer johns with 7mm boots and gloves
I usually get tired before I get cold - I have combos of other suits I can mix and match as waters warm

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dts