Jacket vs suit

[RRomanko]

I am looking at a ventilated suit. I ordered a ventilated suit from Pigeon mountain but found out that they are out of stock. They do have my size in a jacket however. How much more protection is there between a suit vs jacket with jeans? When I worked with bees while growing up, we just used long pants, long sleeved shirts, veil and gloves. So now that I am alot older, I think that a jacket and jeans should suffice. Any suggestions?

thanks
rich

[toekneepea]

I'm a lot cooler wearing a suit than I am wearing a jacket. I developed an allergic reaction last year, so I feel better wearing the suit too.

YMMV.

Tony P.

[debtfreedave]

I have both and have used both. Love my suit! Never been stung through it. The legs on my suit are baggy, even when I bend over or squat. With jeans or khakis i used to get stung because they were a tighter fit. Also the suit has elastic at the bottom of the legs.

Just a personal preference.

[bruce todd]

Jacket works fine for me. I rarely get stung on the legs. But it does happen from time to time. Today was one of those times.

[Charlie B]

I'm old and I have a jacket. It's more convenient and less material I have to stuff in my bee bag. Only been stung once through the jeans. They go for upper body targets mostly,

[Keth Comollo]

I have the suit from them and love it but hate putting it on over boots. I will buy their jacket and wear it happily when my suit wears out.

[djdup]

I have both also and I mostly use the jacket for quick trips to the bee yard. For me the jacket is a lot cooler. I have never been stung with it on.

[adamant]

I have the mann lake vented suit and like it so far. I can wear shorts and no shirt with mine. Its worth it on those hot speels we've been having the last few months.

[Intheswamp]

Rich, I'm a newbee that's had bees since last December. I started with a heavy long-sleeved white shirt, helmet, and veil. I bit the bullet right before the imported ventilated jackets started hitting the markets and bought a Golden Bee jacket. The jacket has been great (cooler), though the white shirt and helmeted veil worked well. One thing I did buy were the little velcro straps that you wrap around your ankles to keep the bees from going up your pants legs. I wear the straps probably 50% of the time (I don't always remember them! ). Jacket, jeans, and tennis shoes...so far the lack of wearing boots hasn't stung me. If you were in the deep south in AHB territory I would probably throw some thoughts of getting a suit at you but being in PA I would opt for the jacket...my opinion.

Best wishes,
Ed

[Lburou]

I wear this, shorts and glasses. I like this design because it goes on/off in a flash, just right for a few hives, even on a hot day. The elastic in the cuff went limp after a month, but I don't mind. The shirt and veil will work too, that is what I use when I have interested friends or grandchildren over to look see.

[SteveBee]

I have a jacket and a suit. I like the suit because I can wear shorts under it like some of the others.

[avesterfelt]

I have a suit for cutouts or anything major (IE extracting) Like it because it keeps me and my clothes clean. Otherwise when I work my hive, I just wear a veil and whatever I happen to be wearing. My wife was making fun of me the other day, it was hot, and I was in sandals & shorts, no shirt, gloves and veil. But I dont get bothered my the stings as long as I keep them off my hands and face, I could care less if I get stung. (well of course you know where doesnt feel good either)

[Paul McCarty]

I have a Mann Lake jacket - it's ok, just have to remember to make sure it stays in place when you bend over so bees don't crawl up your back (which they WILL do). I wear jeans with it normally, or sometimes white painters pants and either tuck the pant legs into the boots or use elastic straps to seal the legs. Bees like upper body targets, but yes, they will sting through jeans if you make them angry enough. I have used this set-up with "Africanized" bees too, though that is usually when I wear the painters pants.