Best Drysuit Undergarments?

[Spamcan]

OK, I know this is very subjective - it varies greatly per person. But, hoping to get some feedback...

I currently dive a DUI TLS350 with some fleece items which works well in San Diego waters (low 50's to mid 60's, above that I dive wet). But now I'm heading up to the Seattle area which I hear can get down to mid 40's. So I want to get a good jumpsuit - I'll figure out the thickness/heat rating after figuring out my questions below. Been looking at DUI, Bare and Whites.

So first...the materials - fleece versus Thinsulate. From what I've read Thinsulate is the more comfortable. But I've also heard they're not easy to wash - special instructions? What's your pros and cons overall?

Second...manufacturers. Of the 3 mentioned above, what's your take?

Thanks, Spamcan

 

[warmwaterturner]

I use thinsulate - felt great at 40. Care is easy.

 

[PfcAJ]

Thinsulate is the best. It requires very low loft (less gas in your suit), and works well when wet (this is critical). Washing it is a pain, but it you follow the directions on the tag and only wash it when its really funky, it'll last a good while. Airing it out goes a long way to cut down the funk.

I have two DUI thinsulate suits (400g and 200g), but I am more inpressed with my buddy's Santi 200g. My next undergarment will be a Santi. Its the little details that make it so good.

 

[elan]

OK, I know this is very subjective - it varies greatly per person. But, hoping to get some feedback...

I currently dive a DUI TLS350 with some fleece items which works well in San Diego waters (low 50's to mid 60's, above that I dive wet). But now I'm heading up to the Seattle area which I hear can get down to mid 40's. So I want to get a good jumpsuit - I'll figure out the thickness/heat rating after figuring out my questions below. Been looking at DUI, Bare and Whites.

So first...the materials - fleece versus Thinsulate. From what I've read Thinsulate is the more comfortable. But I've also heard they're not easy to wash - special instructions? What's your pros and cons overall?

Second...manufacturers. Of the 3 mentioned above, what's your take?

Thanks, Spamcan

As far as I know fleece is a no no, in case the dry suit flood it does not keep warmth as does thinsulate or wool. fleece and wool are also bulky. Look at compressed thinsulate.

I have Bare Hi-Loft which is 250 gr rated. I use an extra 200gr vest and feel comfortable in mid 30 water for 1 hour. IF you go with Bare get the 200 gr verion (T200 if I'm not mistaken or CT200) it is made of compressed thinsulate and not as bulky. The best undies are those made for you, we were looking for the undersuit for my wife and decided to go with custom Santi. I did not like DUI for it's square legs, at the ankle area it has a lot of excess material.

 

[H2O 70]

Personally I like Primaloft vs. thinsulate. It isn't as bulky for the same warmth. It is a short staple fibers (much like down) vs. a continuous fiber.

To wash either use a real mild soap in a front loading washer. The agitator arm in a top loader can actually tear and pull apart your synthetic insulation.

 

[Druid]

The key to staying warm in cold water is layering - air trapped between the layers of clothing adds to the insulating properties. Start off with a good wicking base layer, available from outdoor pursuits shops etc, or merino wool undergarments. I use Fourth Element Arctics over this, and I was warm enough last week diving in 3C (37F) water for 45 minutes. They are very popular with British divers, I would say the majority of divers I see diving through the winter are wearing these. They also keep you warm even when they're wet, as I discovered last January when my suit sprang a leak 30m under the North Sea

 

[TSandM]

I don't know very many local divers using just fleece, unless they're also using a neoprene suit. Most people are using some type of Thinsulate or Hollofil or hybrid undergarment. We have a lot of 4th Element folks, a fair number of DUI Thinsulate folks, a lot of Weezle people, and some of us Whites wearers.

I like the Whites MK3 because of the way it is cut, and because, being a hybrid suit, it tolerates some washing fairly well. My husband uses the 4th Element Arctics. I did NOT like the DUI 400g Thinsulate garment, but it was the old, red one -- it was stiff and thick and bunched up behind my back in a very uncomfortable way. I used a Diving Concepts 200g Thinsulate garment for the first couple of years I was diving, but it really wasn't warm enough, even using Polarfleece leggings and turtlenecks underneath it.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

First off, I've used ...

- Diving Concepts TPS 300G thinsulate
- Softwear 300G polartec
- Fourth Element Arctic (2 piece)
- White's MK2
- Weezle Extreme
- Santi 400G thinsulate

Of them all, I'd recommend the Weezle. Overall advantages ...

- It's warmer than all but the Santi
- It's less expensive than most of the others (except the Softwear)
- It doesn't require a bunch of extra weight to sink (depends on how much loft you want to dive with)
- It's easier to wash than all but the Softwear (just toss it in the washer and hang dry)
- It packs down very small and lightweight for travel (packs like a down sleeping bag)

I'd also recommend the Weezle booties ... my toes haven't been cold since I got mine.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Spamcan]

Looks like I need to do some more looking - Weezle and 4th Element added (gotta take into effect which MFG's I can get a keyman on - so the end price/value). I've had no issues when my fleece gets wet. I'm just leery of Thinsulate because of the washing issue. I'm a lazy a$$ and whatever I can just toss in the washer and hang or put in the dryer is best. I want LOW maintenance. Thanks all for the suggestions!

 

[Belce]

I don't need more than a layer of fleece in my drysuit but those that use weezles up here swear by them.