TESTCENTRE
5 / 3mm hooded vest (£ 89.95 ). The sleeveless , 3mmthick garment increased the torso area ’ s thermal protection to 10mm in total while the attached 5mm , flexible hood folded nicely backwards when not in use .
Once ensconced with this extra inner layer and with the neck seal snugly fastened , I was able to twist and turn my head to my heart ’ s content , with no chilly ingress at all . Considering that the early spring water temperature of 9 ° C was still some way below the suit ’ s intended range of 12-22 ° C , its performance was quite impressive .
In summer I ’ ve no doubt that its thermal qualities would prove more than equal to regular use in UK waters .
When travel resumes , this combo is also an ideal option for Red Sea winters , the Mediterranean and particularly liveaboards where repetitive dives over a period of a week will sap your body heat .
One area I often feel there ’ s room for improvement is that of diving footwear . Many wetsuit boots have soft soles which adequate enough for boat diving or sandy beaches are less so for trudging across uneven and sharp rock formations .
Fourth Element ’ s Amphibian boots (£ 73.95 ) are a different proposition entirely . The 6.5mm , zippered soft and supple neoprene foot pocket has a substantial rubber sole with a tyre-like tread to provide plenty of traction .
Reinforced around the toe , top of foot and heel / Achilles area they ’ re the 4x4 equivalent of wetsuit boots and the perfect match for rough terrain . With my fin straps slipping nicely above the integral retainer , they stayed firmly and comfortably in place . A Velcro strap is also provided to keep the heavy-duty zip from loosening during use .
They may be a little pricier than the average neoprene boot , but they also come with ergonomically-designed footbeds ( insoles ) that offer extra support , particularly for anyone like myself with high arches . They ’ re removable too , which gives the option to swap them out and use them in day-to-day footwear . Just make sure they ’ re dry first . Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
Fourth Element ’ s great-looking neoprene trio of Xenos Wetsuit , Hooded Vest and Amphibian boots are not only the perfect partners to enjoy a summertime of UK diving but a great option for travelling as well .
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