I need to stop being such a tramp and buy a proper caving suit. I need an oversuit and an undersuit, but haven't got a clue what I want.
Any advice would be appreciated

My choice has been a furry undersuit and a warmbac for almost all caves.

If its too wet for that i also have a warmback wetsuit (Black/blue/yellow ones that are advertised on ebay).

I also have a couple of thin pvc suits which are good for digging in that i acquired from work - they rip easy but anything gets ripped digging so it kinda doesn't matter.

I also have some think 'sweat pants' and a matching sweat shirt (again work wear) which makes for a thicker and warmer furry layer for damp caves) These are very low cost compared to a proper caving furry.

Finally, have a think about a fleece 'onsie' as an undersuit - again a much cheaper option that going the whole hog on a caving specific' furry suit.

This is my 'proper' caving furry but i honestly think its a bit over priced to be honest www.starlessriver.com/shop/undersuits/av...e_arphidia_undersuit

Typical warmbac over suit:
www.starlessriver.com/shop/oversuits/warmbac_centre_suit

The warmbac wetsuit i use:


Typical cheapo pvc all in one: its will rip but at a throwaway price:
www.tooltime.co.uk/shoppingcart/products...-M-Green-598513.html

You might want some gloves

and you might end up wanting two pairs of wellies - make sure they are a good tight fit so they don't get sucked off your feet in gloopy mud. One set with drain holes drilled in the bottom - when you know you're gonna be getting wet feet - i.e. over welly depth water, and another pair without holes drilled in them for the times you think you might have a chance of keeping your feet dry.

Wetsuit socks like this aren't a bad idea either: www.starlessriver.com/shop/footweargloves/warmbac_wetsocks_long

Thanks tim! I had wondered about onesies, but thought they might be a bit thin (not that I know anything about them )

I thought about a wetsuit for RA the other day, but couldn't imagine climbing those ladders in it.
Will have a shop around and see what I can afford!

General rule of thumb.

if you're in and out of water all day but will be spending more time OUT of the water, you want a furry undersuit, a wetsuit will be useless.

if your going to be in water all day, a wet-suit is the way to go.

the over-suit serves no purpose other than to keep the undersuit clean, or to hide your fat when wearing a wet-suit.

the cheap-O onesies are useless, vikki had one on in sell-gill and was freezing, to the point she had to get out and get back to the car.

I paid £100 for my undersuit AND oversuit togeather from bernies, within 30 seconds of getting out of the water, my undersuit is dry and i'm warm..

i can honestly say, buying a furry and neoprene socks changed my caving experances, i was ready to give caving up last year, i couldnt deal with been cold anymore, Andy dragged me to ingleton and made my buy some proper gear, i've never looked back.

i use this undersuit -
www.berniescafe.co.uk/index.php?main_pag..._4_21&products_id=40

and this oversuit -
www.berniescafe.co.uk/index.php?main_pag...4_22&products_id=660

and these socks-


on a side note, you will find those socks for £7 if you search ebay, they were just the first ones i found the same as mine.

Thanks Dan. I've not seen that website before, so I'll have a look! Love those neoprene socks, got 4 pairs now, wear them everyday over my normal socks when I'm in wellies at work

I have those wetsocks too, they work well for me.

Iestyn999 wrote:
as far as i can tell, those bever suits are about the cheapest available!

mines done about 30 trips, both the under and over suit still looks as good as new, the oversuit isnt the best fit in the world, but it's good enough, the warmbac suits look to be a bit better quality, but this is reflected in the price.

when it's time to replace it, unless i've found a new job or come into some serious money, i will happyly buy another beaver suit.

I've just ordered a beaver under and over suit. The only problem I can see is the size, 'cause at 6'2" i need XL, and the waist is going to miles to big

just wear your harness, it'll hold it all in.

I got a Warmbac suit but find it quite restricting - and if I know the cave is dry I'll be sticking with my boiler suit.

I kinda think that if Warmbac did a TV commercial for their suits, it would be based on the Bangles hit "walk like an Egyptian" only this time the words would be "walk like a right spacker"

should of got a bigger one phill

All dans advice looks good to me! Wish i'd seen those socks on ebay about 3 years ago! Mind you' i've had my monies worth out of my three times the price warmbac socks so they don't owe me anything and a still like new.

yes, i've not used a onsie, i have a expensive (probably over expensive) AV furry which as you say drys in 'seconds'. But i have seen some onsies (other people) that are made of proper fleece which MIGHT be ok. Obviously some onsies are made out of site material which probably holds on to the water for much longer - i dunno never worn one.

Think a beaver under and over for £100 sounds like a cracking deal to me

Iestyn999 wrote:
or wear a belt. i always wear a belt . besides other things

mike leahy wrote:
I'm going to grass you up to budgie.

mike leahy wrote:
or just keep eating shit and stopping at every mcdonalds i pass...

i've free hung abseiled off a belt - i'm still here.

It was actually more comfy than i thought but obv. not to be recommended!

More practical though - great for hanging shite off and according to my mate Gok Wan its very flatterring if worn clinched up under the moobs

I shall be sure to tell budgie that you all said he's wrong, and that using a belt is perfectly safe.

yer i don't doubt you will!

obv. my and everyone else advice is NOT to!

Do as I say, not as i do!

to be fair, i've never used a belt, but i've hung off a fall arrest harness, it was horrid and hurt like hell, i cant see a belt been any better

A belt isn't any better but, in fairness, you aren't supposed to be doing anything other than recovering your position. Does it matter if it is slightly less comfy than a harness whilst you step back onto the ladder you just fell off (as an example) ?



Ian