Can SharkSkin, Thermocline and Lavacore Replace a Wetsuit? #askmark #scuba
@bellananicmorgan
Hey Mark, Thank you for all the videos over the years – they've been a huge help. Bit of an odd situation. I travel full time with just a carryon, so everything I own has to fit, and both size and weight are a consideration. I dive in mostly warmer waters with a bp/w. Because I'm trying to streamline what I bring a bit, rather than my normal 3mm shorty, would a Sharkskin/Lavacore full suit be a good option to replace the combination of that and my rash guard? Thank you for everything that you do for the scuba community. #AskMark
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver
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Some differences in the alternatives might be that Sharkskin has their Chillproof line (3mm equiv claimed, so probably really 2mm like mentioned in this video), and a T2 line they claim is 5mm equivalent, which makes me think it would really be closer to 4mm, but still a decent little boost on that front. 4th Element says their Thermoprene line is machine washable, which is also a plus. I think Sharkskin’s line recommends hand washing, but does suggest it can be machine washed on gentle if it gets really muddy or the like. I have a lavacore hooded vest which I just got and wore this weekend on a dive in one of the Florida springs which I wore under a ScubaPro Everlfex Yulex 3/2 wetsuit for the 68F/20C water there and I was very comfy, if not a little on the warm side (for comparison I made my 2nd dive without the Lavacore and was just a little chilly), but I’m also very comfortable in a 3mm shorty in 76F/24C water to give you some idea of my warmth tolerance. I didn’t have to change my weighting at all between the change, so definitely neutrally buoyant for me.
I rather like the material, however, and would be very tempted to try a Sharkskin T2 fullsuit (with hood) in place of my wetsuit in those conditions if it weren’t just as expensive as the wetsuit was. Still, using as a hooded vest for under a wetsuit I’ve been pretty impressed and get the feeling that Mark’s suggestion that for replacing a shorty in warm water it may be an excellent alternative
I reckon the average price for the Sharkskin Chillproof 1 suit is £395 in uk.
The long sleeve top £135.
Don’t know if it can replace a wetsuit, but as I don’t like the choky feeling of a hood and still wanted some kind of thermal protection for my head I bought the lavacore hoodie and wear that under my 5.5 mm wetsuit. Gives me enough protection in water down to 16 degrees.
The biggest disadvantage of the lavacore material: it is soaking wet after a dive while neoprene feels nearly dry between dives. But the hoodie looks quite cool :D
They have warmer options, at least with sharkskin, there is also the titanium sharkskin. I’ve used that in 70f (21c) degree water and been plenty warm.
Hi
I wear a pair of lavacore pants and a lavacore vest. Works great in tropical water and if I feel a chill, I add a rash guard over the vest. Using the “rolling” method, I can fit all 3 of these pieces in my backpack/carry-on, no problemo.
Are sharkskin products in short supply at the moment? Can’t seem to find it anywhere