I hate wetsuits. And I hate being cold. Quite the connundrum. I hate putting then on, I hate pulling them off, I hate that feeling when you get a gush of cold water in your suit, I hate the smell of neoprene, I hate the velcro catching my hair, I hate back zips... My least favorite part about suiting up for a dive -- the wetsuit.
The lavacore takes away ALL of these unpleasantries. You feel like you are putting on your favorite fleece. It's light weight and easy to put on (no matter the con...ditions, wet, dry, sunscreen, etc). The front zip is awesome. And the stirrups and thumb holes make it so you are snuggly in place. It's lined with a fleece and dries off quickly. It's equivilent to a 3mm. Since it is less boyant than neoprene you can use a bit less weight too.
Downsides: it will turn your skin green the first few times you use it (soak it in the bath tub before you use it). But this comes off with a bit of soap and water.
Best. Wetsuit. Ever.
I had purchased a Henderson thermoprene shorty for my wife for our first Caribbean dive vacation. Because of her claustrophobia, the neck seal for her wasnt a real smart choice. The Dive Operation we were using allowed her to use the Oceanic Lavacore, and she was immediately in love with it. Her diving improved, the second she used the Lavacore, as she was no longer focused on the constricting nature of the neck seal of the Henderson. She also raved about its comfort, and ease of wear. W...e intend on buying one for her future Caribbean dives.
Lavacore is a technically advanced fabric, constructed and engineered exclusively for water sports requiring the ultimate in thermal control and superior comfort. Thermal and neutral buoyancy properties create the ideal garment - under a neoprene wetsuit for added insulation and warmth or as a stand-alone exposure protection garment. The unique design of Lavacore materials eliminates constriction and allows for extreme movement and flexibility while regulating your core warmth.
Lavacore suits are made with an exclusive Polytherm Tri-Laminate. Ideal for use as a primary exposure suit in warmer waters or as a supplemental undergarment in colder waters. Windproof and breathable providing anti-wind chill properties while also drawing moisture away from the body on the surface, ensuring warmth in cold conditions. For the ultimate in warmth Lavacore's Merino Laminate lined garments are super soft yet durable. Moisture wicking and anti-bacterial, the Merino fleece inner minimizes odor and keeps you warm above and below the surface.
Suit is DWR: Durable Water Repellant has flat seam construction throughout for stretch and comfort, comfortable contoured collar with hook and loop adjustment, kneepads provide total flexibility, durability and comfort, a heavy-duty dual slider front zipper for easy self-donning-and-doffing, removable stirrups for use in active water sports and provides UPF 50+ protection. Suit comes with thumb loops and stirrups to prevent suit ride-up when worn under and exposure suit for layering. Suit is available in multiple sizes and is black in color.
This product can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.
Shopper
I am 5'11' tall women. Usually were size 12T in pants. Will this wetsuit be long enough the torso? I plan to swim in it
Kathleen E
I found these suits ran really small. I usually wear a size8 or 10 pants, I'm 5'6 and I size a 12 or 14. I had to return 2 to get the size that fit and at that I had to open the cuff to get my hand in. But, I love my suit. This is my second suite in 12 years. I love it , just takes a bit to get one that fits.
MISTY J
I’m 5’4” and 140-iah lbs (size 8 usually) and it fits me perfectly. So it may be too short for you. However, I don’t think it would be good for swimming. It holds a lot of water and I think it would be heavy.
Krista W
I am 511 it should be long enough in the torso. Im all legs tho and and have extra room in the torso it’s pretty flexible compared to wetsuits
Chrissy L
The size chart starts at 4. But the available sizing starts at 2. Is this in US or UK sizing?
Mario C
Lavacore has both sizing's on the drop down menu you will see US sizes.
to better visualize it please refer to the women`s polytherm size chart on the link below
https://www.lavacoreinternational.com/sizing-chart
Shopper
Does this have a hood?
Mario C
yes everyone is right does not have a hood. We sell it separately.
hood on the link below
Terry R
No it does not.
JENNIFER L
No
TERESA W
No hood.
DAWN M
No hood. I agree with Eileen that it is very comfortable, and it really does keep you warm. I was pleasantly surprised at how warm I stayed this last trip.
Robert S
A hood is available separately for purchase
GREG G
No, it does not have a hood.
EILEEN V
No it does not have a hood. It is an incredibly comfortable suit. A hood can be purchased separately
GREG G
No, it doesn’t have a good.
Krista W
No it doesn’t have a hood you can buy one separately.
JENNIFER J
No
Judith K
I'm looking for 11/2mil?
Christopher D
This suit would be similar thickness to a 1.5mm neoprene suit, however, it is not made of neoprene so it is not measured in mm specifically. I would describe this suit as being roughly 1.5 to 2mm in thickness while providing the warmth of 3 or 4mm
CRYSTAL A
How much does this weigh?
NILI H
I’m not sure. But it’s very lightweight. Maybe they give the Weight online in their description. I put it on under my 3ml and my 5ml. Dries quickly too. Very comfortable. I love it.
ROBERT B
Hi Crystal. My suit is all packed away in my dive stuff so I don’t have an exact weight. It’s heavier than a thin skin but considerably less than a wet suit if any kind. Less than a1 pound I suspect. Hope this helps
DANIEL H
Just one pound. So light and gives extra warmth for those who are sometimes cold in the Caribbean.