I would like to get into some serious water hunting this year. I live on the southern shore of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio. I would like to get a decent wetsuit. I know absolutely nothing about them. I see alot of inexpensive used ones for sale on Ebay, but don't want to commit until I know more about how to fit into one. What should I look for, what should I stay away from, etc.....
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Wetsuits...I know nothing
- Thread starter Sridge
- Start date
bootyhoundpa
Well-known member
I know a little about them. I have 2 shorties ( 3mm ) that I bought at a dive shop very used , they were only $5 each and they work great for pro longed periods in summer and early fall. I bought a brand new 7mm 1 piece long sleeve wet suit at the same dive shop for $ 200 . Brand name is pinnacle.it is good for mid fall hunting. I would strongly recommend Not buying online as the sizes can be very misleading .definitely best if you can try it on 1st. Pefect fit is a must ! my new suit is rather snug but still relatively comfortable . I have to use the spray lube on my legs and arms when putting it on. For the rare times I get to go during winter I just wear a good pair of neoprene waders and dont get wet beyond my waist...
OldBeechnut
Well-known member
I'm with Bootyhound, I would check out the temps of the water thru the year. With a set of waders and a drytop and some good layering of cloths you can beat everyone out and stay out till the water gets to cold. Which I have found with some bootfoot waders and the proper cloths under I can endure about 4 hours of waist deep 35 degree water. With air temps in the mid to low 40's with low winds. The winds seem to be the big factor for me. And you will need some trapper gloves...Also I found if you keep those feet moving, you stay warmer.
Water wizard
New member
If you get a wetsuit the fit is as important as the thickness in keeping you warm. Try it on before you buy! The thicker the suit fabric (neoprene) the warm you will stay, but the more restrictive the suit feels. Wetsuit boots are a must if you get a suit, ones with zips are easy on and off. Wetsuit gloves are good when it's cold, and a nice warm woolie hat does the job. You can buy rash vests to wear under the wetsuit, they make it a lot warmer, check out chillcheaters, they are made from a totally amazing fabric, super warm, 100% wind proof, and cost very little, they are so good. Waders with warm clothes could be a good idea, might be worth a try, unless you want to get in to detecting under water....
WaterWalker
Well-known member
I personally use breathable waders or a shortie wet suit in the summer, 3mil waders in the late fall and late spring, 5mil waders in the winter. This covers water temps of 37-80F and air temps of 28-95+F. The waders should fit up tight under your arm pits, the lower they are on your body, the shallower you will have to stay while detecting.
The glove that were noted are 31 inch gauntlet gloves, Neox is a good material. Head covering is essential in the cold...I use a gator, skull cap or a balaclava: fleece is nice as is one that will fit over your ball-cap and headphones. I also wear a 1mil short sleeved jacket, over the waders and gauntlet gloves, to keep the oceans' spray from getting me wet should a wave splash me.
The waders have BOOTFOOT with cleat soles. Much easier to get on and off in cold weather.
I travel world wide to detect and have enjoyed every target I have dug. Nowadays I do 99% of my detecting in the water, both fresh and salt.
Do a web search for: Treasure hunter braves chilly waters and watch the You Tube video...I would put the link here but it has an ad in it...not allowed on the forum.
I do have a couple of detecting partners that wear the 7mil farmer johns with a 7mil jacket all winter long in the 37F water and 28F air temps. They are better men than I. They say they are warm in the water, but they really look COLD when getting out of the wet suit after 4 hours in the mighty cold water. They also wear neoprene gloves and boots with socks and under gloves...they layer a lot.
May the ring of gold be in your ears and the glitter in your scoop!
The glove that were noted are 31 inch gauntlet gloves, Neox is a good material. Head covering is essential in the cold...I use a gator, skull cap or a balaclava: fleece is nice as is one that will fit over your ball-cap and headphones. I also wear a 1mil short sleeved jacket, over the waders and gauntlet gloves, to keep the oceans' spray from getting me wet should a wave splash me.
The waders have BOOTFOOT with cleat soles. Much easier to get on and off in cold weather.
I travel world wide to detect and have enjoyed every target I have dug. Nowadays I do 99% of my detecting in the water, both fresh and salt.
Do a web search for: Treasure hunter braves chilly waters and watch the You Tube video...I would put the link here but it has an ad in it...not allowed on the forum.
I do have a couple of detecting partners that wear the 7mil farmer johns with a 7mil jacket all winter long in the 37F water and 28F air temps. They are better men than I. They say they are warm in the water, but they really look COLD when getting out of the wet suit after 4 hours in the mighty cold water. They also wear neoprene gloves and boots with socks and under gloves...they layer a lot.
May the ring of gold be in your ears and the glitter in your scoop!
Overvoltage
New member
Great video WaterWalker, I like your setup. Where did you get your 31 inch gauntlet gloves?
OldBeechnut
Well-known member
I agree real nice Vid.......
Some of my cold water gear, just finished the gloves, normally wear Trapper gloves, which work good but picking up small items can be a task because of flexibility. These are Atlas 482 Themres, very warm, flexible and I can pick up a dime when flat on the sifter. Testing this weekend, just finished them. Also something else I'm just finishing up, will post more pics later is the Neoprene hood with ip67 plug for head phones. Lots of times when the water is ruff my headphones will get knocked off by the waves, these will stay in place as long as you have a head...
Some of my cold water gear, just finished the gloves, normally wear Trapper gloves, which work good but picking up small items can be a task because of flexibility. These are Atlas 482 Themres, very warm, flexible and I can pick up a dime when flat on the sifter. Testing this weekend, just finished them. Also something else I'm just finishing up, will post more pics later is the Neoprene hood with ip67 plug for head phones. Lots of times when the water is ruff my headphones will get knocked off by the waves, these will stay in place as long as you have a head...
WaterWalker
Well-known member
Edmont Gauntlet #9-430 (pair) about $40
http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/proddetail.asp?prod=TGE9430AP
I use an elastic strap about 1 1/2 inches wide attached close to the grommets with Aquaseal to keep the gloves from slipping.
The NEOX seems to hold up the best of all the gloves I have tried.
I like the idea of OC but I have not had much luck gluing a pair of glove onto the arm lengths and keeping a waterproof seal.
I just might try again with the ATLAS TEMRES 282 glove but they run about $25 a pair plus arms and Aquaseal.
The Aquaseal can be bought in a more economical 8oz size for about $20.
http://www.nwtrappers.com/catalog/proddetail.asp?prod=TGE9430AP
I use an elastic strap about 1 1/2 inches wide attached close to the grommets with Aquaseal to keep the gloves from slipping.
The NEOX seems to hold up the best of all the gloves I have tried.
I like the idea of OC but I have not had much luck gluing a pair of glove onto the arm lengths and keeping a waterproof seal.
I just might try again with the ATLAS TEMRES 282 glove but they run about $25 a pair plus arms and Aquaseal.
The Aquaseal can be bought in a more economical 8oz size for about $20.
Those wheels never stop turning do they.
WaterWalker
Well-known member
They look much like a pair I gave away after one use. I loved the high shoulder length but the glove...I had a hard time picking anything up let alone holding the detector and scoop.
The person that I gave them to tore the lining out and lost almost all the gloves thermal protection. The same company made an orange colored gauntlet which was 100% better than the green ones they make now.
Take a look at the TGE9430AP on the same site. They only come in one size - 10 - large. I have used these for over 20 years and have not found anything better. You will need an inner glove. I use a $6 pair of leather gloves with 200gr of Thinsulate insulation bought at Job Lot or one of the discount stores. But I am still looking. I have to try OBN's Atlas 282 build.
The person that I gave them to tore the lining out and lost almost all the gloves thermal protection. The same company made an orange colored gauntlet which was 100% better than the green ones they make now.
Take a look at the TGE9430AP on the same site. They only come in one size - 10 - large. I have used these for over 20 years and have not found anything better. You will need an inner glove. I use a $6 pair of leather gloves with 200gr of Thinsulate insulation bought at Job Lot or one of the discount stores. But I am still looking. I have to try OBN's Atlas 282 build.