Steamer vs. Wetsuit, what's the dif?

[Michael Niemi]

I'm also wondering what the numbers mean when they talk about
wetsuits--usually 2 or 3 numbers. Are those giving the thicknesses of
various parts of the suit?

Thanks!

[Jerry McEwen]

On 21 May 2003 05:28:34 -0700, nemo...@yahoo.com (Michael Niemi)
wrote:

Yes, that is the neoprene thickness in millimeters . The larger number
is the torso and the smaller number is usually the sleeves and legs.

[florian]

Regarding the question in your posts subj line:

It's a classic case from your marketing 101:

The term steamer emphasizes that you'll be warm while you WILL get wet
just like in an ordinary wetsuit.

FYI: A semi-dry suit is not going to keep you dry from the waist up!

florian

[Mike F]

A steamer falls between dry suit and a wet suit in price, warmth, and ease
of use. Some steamers can be warmer than some dry suits.

Mike \m/

"Michael Niemi" <nemo...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:38e71d4e.03052...@posting.google.com...

[Michael Niemi]

Thanks, Jerry. But what about the steamer part? Is a steamer a warmer wetsuit?

Jerry McEwen <rec...@mail.not> wrote in message news:<2gvmcvoua36rp2pfr...@4ax.com>...

[Jerry McEwen]

On 21 May 2003 09:32:23 -0700, nemo...@yahoo.com (Michael Niemi)
wrote:

>Thanks, Jerry. But what about the steamer part? Is a steamer a warmer wetsuit?

'Sorry, I overlooked that part.

Mike's answer is pretty good and I would imagine he's quite
knowledgeable about wetsuits. My answer would be that a steamer and a
full wetsuit are about the same thing. I would not call my 3/2 full
suit a steamer as I would only get steamy in it in August; I would
probably call a 4/3 or thicker a steamer. A steamer will allow you to
get wet, so it's still a wetsuit in my book.

[Jay Halford]

The term semi dry is way over used. Many semi dry suits are pure wetsuits
that just fit tight. The amount of water inside is small, but you are still
wet head to toe.

Jay

[Scott G]

A Steamer is a wetsuit with long arms and legs, usually thicker, and
also with a flap that prevents water entry at the zipper.
5/3 would have 5mm torso, 3mm arms and legs.
Scott

nemo...@yahoo.com (Michael Niemi) wrote in message news:<38e71d4e.03052...@posting.google.com>...

[Jerry McEwen]

On 21 May 2003 11:07:41 -0700, surfsa...@yahoo.com (Scott G) wrote:

>A Steamer is a wetsuit with long arms and legs, usually thicker, and
>also with a flap that prevents water entry at the zipper.
>5/3 would have 5mm torso, 3mm arms and legs.
>Scott

That's alomst what I meant to say, but I would replace "prevents" with
"inhibits".

[Craig (gsogh) Goudie]

There are other issues as well. Steamers typically have guled and blind stitched
seams and don't leak, just like a drysuit, but they have zippers that allow water
intrusion.

-Craig

Jerry McEwen wrote:

--
Craig (Go Short or Go Home!) Goudie
Sailing the high desert lakes of Utah on my:
RRD 298, Starboard 272 and Cross M 8'2" with
Sailworks/Naish Sails and Rec Composites Fins
Sailing the Gorge on my: 9'1" RRD Freeride,
8'3" Logosz Squish, 8'0" Hitech IBM with
Sailworks/Northwave Sails and Curtis Fins

[Mike F]

One type of steamer outshines all others, even some dry suits, IMO: a
chest-zip steamer with an inner baffle. I've used several and owned at least
three, and have never seen any other kind of neoprene suit offering a better
combination of warmth and ease of use. Jump in, flop the baffle and collar
over your head, yank the zipper, sail, then pop the suit off. What little
water sneaks in is caught in the baffle, and warms up before touching your
skin. No back-zip steamer, not even with a hooded vest over it, does this in
my considerable experience with many dozens of suits, so I unloaded my
last -- and I mean LAST -- back-zip steamer as soon as I got my hands on a
chest-zip steamer. I canNOT understand why chest-zip steamers are so hard to
find. I almost bought a once-worn one at the Gorge swap meet Sunday, but my
present one is in fine shape, the shelf life of neoprene is only a very few
years, and the swap meet suit was already three years old. I'm going to be
very disappointed when my present one wears out and I can't find another
one; I suspect I'll have to pay Promotion whoever it costs to build me one.
They're THAT superior to back-zip steamers in cold water, IMO.

Mike \m/

"Craig (gsogh) Goudie" <gor...@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:3ECBDDC5...@netzero.net...

[Jerry McEwen]

On Wed, 21 May 2003 14:12:53 -0600, "Craig (gsogh) Goudie"
<gor...@netzero.net> wrote:

>There are other issues as well. Steamers typically have guled and blind stitched
>seams and don't leak, just like a drysuit, but they have zippers that allow water
>intrusion.
>
>-Craig

Good points, I think you're right. It's been awhile since I gave much
thought to steamers since my Kokatat is wearable in lots of
situations,

[WAVEGOMER]

Check Hotline you old goat. I've got 3 UHCs to rotate with that same
system for surfing the majestic NW Pacific year round and agree with
you whole heartedly on that system. Also much easier for an elderly
gentleman to get into than those goddamn ziperless wiggle in suits.

- Gomer

"Mike F" <iso...@urxSpamDam.com> wrote in message news:<vARya.6069$Qk2...@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com>...

[Scott G]

Same reason I can never find a chest zip shorty anymore - Surfers!
Surfers don't want to use chest zips becuase they lay on their
stomachs while paddling.
Manufacturers don't want to make two models - one for surfers, one for
the rest of us.
I really enjoyed the chest zip b/c you could unzip it partially to
regulate heat or get some sun on your lower neck and chest or just for
comfort between sessions.

"Mike F" <iso...@urxSpamDam.com> wrote in message news:<vARya.6069$Qk2...@fe01.atl2.webusenet.com>...

[Weed Fin]

Google my man, google:

http://www.diversdirect.com/scripts/ecatalogisapi.dll/Item?Item=32815&Temp
late=9990000001000999&Group=106

[Weed Fin]

Looks like it didn't take.

<<Google my man, google:

http://www.diversdirect.com/scripts/ecatalogisapi.dll/Item?Item=32815&Temp
late=9990000001000999&Group=106 >>

Just cut and paste the above info.

[Mike F]

Them's divers' suits. No, thanks. Different requirements.

Mike \m/

"Weed Fin" <wee...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030522180920...@mb-m12.aol.com...

[Weed Fin]

Mike F wrote:

<<Them's divers' suits. No, thanks. Different requirements.>>

How about this: http://www.scubauww.com/catalog/aeroskin8.htm

We're talking shorty here not full on wetsuit. I use a Promotion sleeveless
shorty and a Promotion sleeveless farmer john.

[Mike F]

I and the topical question are talking full suit, either steamer or wet
suit, where warmth and easy on/off are issues. The advantages of the
chest-zip steamers are a) the inner baffle and its superior warmth compared
to back zip flaps and b) the easier (than back zips) zipper access. The
shorty I use -- in fact one full suit of the same design -- are so easy to
throw on and off that I don't care how/where they zip. Each of them cost me
$39 new, and they are as easy to doff and don and wear as a pair of PJs.
They're really basic, cheap, Costco-level 2mm Nylon II suits, and are the
most comfortable suits I've ever worn. I wear them in July and August.

Mike \m/

"Weed Fin" <wee...@aol.com> wrote in message

news:20030522193720...@mb-m12.aol.com...