Henderson
Gold Core WetsuitThe Henderson Gold wetsuit applies time proven concepts in wetsuit design with a revolutionary material. Years ago, if you wanted the absolute warmest wetsuit, you chose a custom "skin-in" design. A skin-in uses a neoprene that lacks any nylon lining and is completely smooth. This material allows the insulative properties of the neoprene to be as close to the skin as possible. The problem with "skin-in" wetsuit is they could be uncomfortable, binding against the diver's skin and they were notoriously difficult to put on, requiring talcum powder when dry and soap when wet.
The Henderson Gold is a "skin-in" material, but with a revolutionary, ultra-comfortable twist. Unlike woven nylon fabric, the Henderson Gold is smooth with a very thin coating that provides two primary benefits. First, it is insanely easy to put on. Henderson makes the analogy of sliding into soft, well-worn favorite jeans. Its not far from the truth. Second, the material is remarkably warm. This is because of the ultra-closeness of the "skin-in" material and the heat reflective quality of the Gold metallic material. Not only does it insulate heat in, it reflects it back to the body.
Even with all these positive qualities, I do not like change. When I find something I like and am comfortable with it, I don't change. Why should I? So when it comes to new dive gear, Dale usually drags me kicking and screaming to the dock, asking me to "pleeeeeease" try this new gear.
When he asked me to try the new Henderson Gold wetsuit, I was not happy. Add the fact that it is an "off-the-rack" wetsuit and I really bellowed. A lot of the reason is that for all the hoopla about women in diving and how the equipment fits, it usually doesn't apply to me. I am not petite, never have been, and don't want to be. I am tall, broad shouldered, large busted, long arms, and long legged. "Off-the-rack" does not apply to me.
Trying the wetsuit on ahead of time before the day of the dive, I noticed how comfortable and easy it went on. The ultra-low friction surface not only made the suit go on easily, it felt wonderful against my skin. It hugged me without binding. In addition to the inner surface the suit was what I'll call ultra flexible, the legs and arms just slid on, no pulling beyond the normal get-dressed posture. This neoprene is clearly a superior material when it came to wearing comfort.
As for its "off-the-rack" sizing, the suit length was just about perfect&emdash; no drooping in the crotch and the suit ended at my wrists and ankles, not too long, nor too short. The 3mm hooded vest along with the 7/5mm jumpsuit hugged my body and fit all my curves in the right spots, i.e., the boobs were in the right place.
But would the suit live up to its promises of warmth? Next came the dive. Not knowing how this change would affect my weighting, I did my first dive with the same amount of lead as my old suit. I quickly learned that I could shed 3-5 pounds.
Diving at the end of winter, the water was probably as cold as it would get for Catalina Island. Temperatures on the bottom hovered in the mid to upper 50s. Only one time did I feel a slight chill&emdash;after posing motionless forever in front of a gorgonian stand while Dale took pictures, and even then it was only a slight chill. The hooded vest prevented water from flowing down my back and the neck opening for the jumpsuit was snug, but nonrestricting.
The second dive confirmed Henderson's claim of quick drying material. This quick drying alleviated my fears that the slick surface would be difficult to put on while wet. Though the suit was slightly harder to put on wet, it is hardly worth mentioning. Remember that the old skin-in style wetsuit is always a warmer way to go. Add that style with this new innovative material and I stayed warmer with less bulk.
The Gold Core technology has many benefits including the fact that it is anti-microbial, which in turn will alleviate any odor a wetsuit might develop over time. This also reduces or eliminates rashes associated with wearing a wetsuit for long periods of time on multi-day dive trips.
The Gold Core design comes in multiple combinations that can be used in different water temperature situations. The farmer john with a step-in jacket is available in 7mm and 5mm combinations. Vests with or without a hood in 3mm thickness can be used with the jumpsuits that come 3mm, 5mm and 7/5mm (I used the 5/3mm hooded vest with the 7/5mm jumpsuit). The marrying of two thicknesses in one suit allows for thermal protection to be put where it is most needed (torso) and flexibility where it is most needed (arms). Shorty versions or the Gold suits are available for warm water divers. All of the Gold Core comes in men's sizes S-3XL and the women's XS-XXL or in custom.
The Gold Core also comes in four different gloves, two hoods and one bootie&emdash;all available in unisex sizes varying from XS-XXL. I wore the size 8 bootie that comfortably fit my women's size-10 foot. The bootie, as well as the glove, carried the same significant added warmth as the wetsuit.
The wetsuit comes only in one color&emdash;black&emdash; which suits me just fine. The only thing worse than change is pink.
