NEW revolutionary PROBE NeoFleece. Available at Buddha View.

Upon receiving my Probe neo Fleece the most important things I was looking for from it were warmth, comfort and portability.

The first opportunity I had to use it was during a pool session on a recent IE on Koh Tao. Now you may ask yourself why worry about warmth on a tropical island such as Koh Tao? Well in my role as examiner I am looking at being in the pool for about 3-4 hrs with little movement, so believe you me cold can be factor.

I must admit, initially, to being reluctant to moving away from my ‘norm’ of a 3mm shorty and long sleeved rash vest. However I put the Probe Neo Fleece on along with a pair of board shorts and got ready to get on with the job. Whilst getting ready I noted, with some anticipation, the dark cloud looming over head.

The Probe Neo Fleece was great just like a second skin keeping me nice and warm and comfortable for the three and half hours I was in the pool, even during the half hour tropical rainstorm the dark cloud had bought with it!! The only thing was my lower half was feeling a bit chilly so I made a mental note to bring some wet shorts next time!!

My next worry was would it dry out in time for me to pack? But no worries here just hung the Probe Neo Fleece over the balcony and we were good to go in no time.

The next couple of times I have used it, Phuket and Koh Samui IEs, I remembered my 3mm wet shorts and combined with using the Probe Neo Fleece, this time for both pool and open water sessions of the Instructor Exam, I have been as warm as toast . The Probe Neo Fleece is a great ‘snug fit’ and the drawstring around the waist prevents the vest from riding up whilst wearing it avoiding a chilly tummy and giving minimum ‘wash through’.

Duffing and donning is not easy, but I guess that’s the price you pay for a snug fit.

It also folds up nice a small so combined with a pair of wet shorts takes up less room in my baggage than my 3mm shorty and rash vest previously did. Keeping my boss happy with baggage allowances being what they are !!

Overall, well I’m a convert its warm comfortable and folds away nice and easy making it nice and portable. Certainly the Probe Neo Fleece is a winner in my book.

Robert Scammell

PADI Examiner