Aqua Lung SolAfx 8mm Women's Wetsuit, Black/Charcoal 12/Short

2016-08-25T12:38:06

I measure 5'7", I weigh 157 pounds, and I fit in European size clothes 39-40.This wetsuit felt very good, as far as texture is concerned, and I liked the horizontal zipper, but it didn't fit me so I had to return it. The ankle bands were so tight the blood stopped circulating to my feet, while I was struggling to get my hands through the wrist bands... which never happened. Maybe this thing is great, and maybe there is someone out there that has the short legs, and the broad shoulders needed for its shape... But as far as I am concerned, I simply couldn't use it.

LOUISE M.

2016-08-12T12:22:46

The SolAfx is THE wetsuit to own if you're diving in cold water and don't have or want a drysuit. I have had dives in California's Coastal rich waters of 49-51º, up to almost an hour. When I take the suit off, it's still dry in my mid section. It has extra padding on your back over your kidneys as well. I'm extremely upset that they are discontinuing this wetsuit. The integrated hood made it almost a semi-drysuit and no cold water rushes down anywhere. I'm keeping fingers crossed, they will reconsider and bring it back soon! If you can buy one in your size... GET IT NOW!

SELENA W.

2016-01-04T05:56:52

I get cold easily and am always in search of the next warmest wetsuit. This is it! I got this suit plus a heated shirt for diving Galapagos, and hardly ever had to turn on the shirt. (For reference re: me and cold while diving, I also dive with this in Cozumel without the heated shirt, and this suit keeps me warm enough for my usual 70-100 minutes long dives). With the internal gaiters there's not much water transfer and the neoprene is stretchy and comfortable. I wear a nylon diveskin underneath which makes it easy to get into and out of the suit. I love this suit!

MELISSA B.

2015-08-24T20:00:00

The suit was delivered in two to three days when it was expected to arrive in two weeks. Very prompt delivery.

Sam

2014-10-20T20:00:00

My SolaFX and I have logged just under 20 cold water dives together. It was my first suit purchase, and I think it was a good one. What originally appealed to me was the integrated, vented hood design and the internal gasket seals to prevent water movement. The C-zip design is difficult to get used to, and even though Aqualung says you can zip it yourself, I always need help zipping the last 6 inches or so. The front zipper also hinders arm flexibility, so when relaxed my arms are out away from my body instead of at my sides. The fact that it is a 7/8mm suit does mean that it is difficult to put on. The first time I tried it on I found myself rolling around on the floor pleading with it as if it would respond to my cries. It just takes a few times to "master" donning. Now I can put it on in public with minimal embarrassment. With that being said, donning and doffing are my least favorite attributes of this suit. If you have muscular wrists, be warned. The seams at the wrist are tight. I ended up cutting about the bottom 1/2 inch of neoprene off, leaving a raw edge on the neoprene that is much more stretchy (and comfortable) than the stitched roll that comes from the factory. Another issue I had was with Leisure Pro's size chart. At 5'6" tall and 165 pounds, I was between the short and the regular lengths and purchased the 12 short, fearing that my naturally short torso wouldn't fill a regular suit correctly. Upon receiving the suit and the tag with Aqualung size chart on it, I saw my height was in the middle of the recommended for the regular length, and all the length (as far as I can tell) they take off is in the arms and legs. As far as the good things go, this past summer I dove primarily glacial runoff lakes in the Pacific Northwest at Altitude and the Puget Sound with bottom temps around 40 degrees and wasn't cold. It is very flexible and my range of motion is great. Bottom line: I hate my SolAfx when I'm trying to put it on or take it off, but I love it the rest of the time. I definitely recommend it to anyone that chills easily like I do.

Fish w.

2014-08-24T20:00:00

I bought this suit specifically for cold water diving. I was warm and mostly dry during the 2 dives I did this past weekend in Puget Sound. This is saying a lot since I'm typically get cold and normally dive with a 3mm in 80F deg. I did eventually get cold after 70mins. I felt this is pretty good considering the water temp was 57F deg. The suit sealed really well and I felt mostly dry for the dive. It is a 8mm wetsuit so don't expect it to be easy to get on and off. It takes some effort to put on, but not any more than other thick wetsuits I've tried.

Lisa H.

2014-08-21T20:00:00

This is a great wetsuit. My husband and I are local to the midwest, so a 7mm or dry suit is pretty much a necessity year round. In the summer months you can get away with a 3mm IF you don't plan on going below the thermalcline! I will admit this wetsuit is a bit tricky to get on at first. I have to wear a lycra dive skin under mine. I've worn it about 10 times now and it gets easier every time I put it on. The first few times my husband had to help me get the hood part on and off and zip it up, now I can easily do all of that by myself. It just takes some getting used to. I am about 5'10 and 190lbs and the 14 fits me pretty well. The hood is also not mandatory, if you don't want to use it, just pull it back. I have dove with this wetsuit in Lake Superior a couple times. It handles the 55 degree water in the 20ish foot depths no problem. I've also dove a wreck at 75 feet where the temps dipped to 39 degrees and I hardly noticed. However I don't recommend it for water above 65 degrees, it is way too warm, at least for me! When you end your dive, the water coming out of the suit feels like warm bath water. I do not get cold easily. All in all, if you're looking to stay warm but want to avoid the high cost of a dry suit, I HIGHLY recommend this semi-dry. I wish LP carried the pink and purple colors, but really at this price it can't be beat, and we all know black is what the cool kids wear anyway!

Jen

2013-01-01T19:00:00

This was too difficult to get on and off. I put it on just to see if it fit and I couldn't get the front inner liner smooth. The zipper was almost impossible to close. Once I finally go the hood on, it was so stiff I needed help to get it off. I really like the idea of the design, but it wasn't worth the hassle. I like to do five dives a day, and I couldn't imagine getting in and out of this suit five times.

Bikerdiver

2012-04-21T20:00:00

This suit could not be better. It's super stretchy so it's easy to put on and take off, even when it's wet. The attached hood eliminates the flush of cold water that goes down your neck (brr!). And the seals keep the warm water from flushing out. I've worn this suit in coldwater in the NE and California.

k00kaburra

2011-04-11T20:00:00

LeisurePro packaged my item carefully, has great customer service and delivered my item in 2 days (I chose the 2 day shipping option)

Diver D.

2010-07-06T20:00:00

This is a great wetsuit. I live in New England so I dive in 50-60 degree water. This suit keeps me warm and toasty! It's well-made and very user friendly (i.e. it's easy to get into and out of). I see myself using this suit for years to come!

Erin C.

2010-04-30T20:00:00

After getting in and out of this suit three times my wife loved it. She struggled the first two times but after that she had no problem. It kept her warm on multiple dives in 60 degree water. She is looking forward to trying it in Puget Sound.

dare64