Dry suit recommendations?

[smrtz]

Heyo!

I'm comparing some options for my first dry suit, and I'm struggling to find the right one. Here's what I'm looking for:

• Pockets on both legs
• End user replaceable seals
• Compatible with some sort of dry glove system
• Dry socks so I can pick/replace my own boots

Does anyone have any suggestions for ones that fit these requirements, or any other requirements I should be thinking about? Thanks!

 

[grantctobin]

Heyo!

I'm comparing some options for my first dry suit, and I'm struggling to find the right one. Here's what I'm looking for:

• Pockets on both legs
• End user replaceable seals
• Compatible with some sort of dry glove system
• Dry socks so I can pick/replace my own boots

Does anyone have any suggestions for ones that fit these requirements, or any other requirements I should be thinking about? Thanks!

Review - Seaskin Nova drysuit

I ordered a new Seaskin Nova (trilam) drysuit at the beginning of June. It arrived last week. I took it up to the Saint Lawrence River and did 7 wreck dives from Fri to Mon (yesterday), as part of an Advanced Wreck Penetration class with @Trace Malinowski. I am VERY pleased with how it worked...

scubaboard.com

 

[GF99/99]

Heyo!

I'm comparing some options for my first dry suit, and I'm struggling to find the right one. Here's what I'm looking for:

• Pockets on both legs
• End user replaceable seals
• Compatible with some sort of dry glove system
• Dry socks so I can pick/replace my own boots

Does anyone have any suggestions for ones that fit these requirements, or any other requirements I should be thinking about? Thanks!

Honestly any modern dry suit will have all those features or have them available. Now adays between any of the major big name brands they are all going to give you pretty much the same thing (unless you start getting in to exotic materials like the full kevlar SF suit or something). Everyone will tell you Santi or 4th element, or Otter, or Seaskin, or DIR etc. but its just like asking what is better Chevy or Ford? The more important thing than the brand name logo is the fit. This is by for the most important aspect of a dry suit especially if it is your first one. What you should really do is see if there is a local dive shop close to you that sells dry suits and get them to measure you up and size one accordingly. Also this way the sizing and ordering is on the dive shop not you. Quite a few companies now offer made to order suits, in my opinion this is the way to go.

 

[mr_v]

To add to what @GF99/99 said: Look for a shop that specializes in true made-to-measure suits and has a history of custom made orders. If a shop does not do many custom orders, stay away. Diver sizing requires experience and if a shop does one custom suit a year, you may not like the end result. Thus, listen to the language that dive shop folks use. "Yeah, we have done some custom suits awhile ago" and similar phrases are red flags.

Materials make a big difference, too. Yamamoto neoprene used in SF Tech and top notch wet suits is substantially better than economy neoprene found on base models. The same goes for zippers and the overall suit craftsmanship.

If you read my posts, you'll notice that I am a big SF Tech fan. However, I don't know if I'd recommend that for the first dry suit.

 

[ModelsxB]

Hi,

While I unfortunately can not afford to purchase a Made to Measure (MtM) drysuit right now (despite desperately wanting one) I know of an amazing shop in the New England area that sells a massive amount of MtM DUI drysuits that I recommend highly. If it would be of interest to you, I am more than happy to DM you with their name.

For the avoidance of any and all doubt, I have absolutely no working relationship with this shop and simply know of them as I have had multiple people I dive with use them and speak highly of the fit of their suit and the experience purchasing from the shop.

 

[JohnN]

Hi,

While I unfortunately can not afford to purchase a Made to Measure (MtM) drysuit right now (despite desperately wanting one) I know of an amazing shop in the New England area that sells a massive amount of MtM DUI drysuits that I recommend highly. If it would be of interest to you, I am more than happy to DM you with their name.

For the avoidance of any and all doubt, I have absolutely no working relationship with this shop and simply know of them as I have had multiple people I dive with use them and speak highly of the fit of their suit and the experience purchasing from the shop.

SeaSkin is a true made-to-measure suit

Unless you have extra money burning a hole in your pockets, you are nuts if you don’t put them at the top of your list

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Have a look at what good divers around you dive. See how their suits fit, check the materials. Despite what ScubaBoard Seaskin brigade might tell you, there is a big difference between low-end MTM (SeaSkin), mid-range (Otter, Othree, Santi) and high-end (SFTech). Even if you know nothing about drysuits, you can see the difference once you have the suits side by side. My Otter looks really robust next to SeaSkin and like a trash bag next to SFTech.

I would either go for a cheaper off the peg suit if you find one that fits well or the best MTM that you can afford. If you have a local dive show, go talk to the manufacturers directly and get measured by them, or by a shop that sells a lot of MTM (ask around on boats).

If you have a shop nearby that rents drysuits - try few models. They might leak but you will get a bit of experience with what you want and don’t want.

 

[MacDuyver]

SeaSkin is a true made-to-measure suit

Unless you have extra money burning a hole in your pockets, you are nuts if you don’t put them at the top of your list

Concur.

My budget didn’t have room for a trilam , but I got the Ultra (crushed neoprene), true to size for less money than an off the rack drysuit.

 

[Mario007]

Have a look at what good divers around you dive. See how their suits fit, check the materials. Despite what ScubaBoard Seaskin brigade might tell you, there is a big difference between low-end MTM (SeaSkin), mid-range (Otter, Othree, Santi) and high-end (SFTech). Even if you know nothing about drysuits, you can see the difference once you have the suits side by side. My Otter looks really robust next to SeaSkin and like a trash bag next to SFTech.

I would either go for a cheaper off the peg suit if you find one that fits well or the best MTM that you can afford. If you have a local dive show, go talk to the manufacturers directly and get measured by them, or by a shop that sells a lot of MTM (ask around on boats).

If you have a shop nearby that rents drysuits - try few models. They might leak but you will get a bit of experience with what you want and don’t want.

Is SFTech a mix between trilaminate and compressed neo? How heavy is it and how long does it take to dry, similar to a compressed neo?

 

[mr_v]

Is SFTech a mix between trilaminate and compressed neo? How heavy is it and how long does it take to dry, similar to a compressed neo?

What SF Tech model do you have in mind, what is your typical dive profile, and what are your personal preferences?
It seems that SF Tech went through some re-branding and now they explicitly call out 4 different dry suit types.

• Kevlar Pro is the fully Kevlar lined neoprene suit. The suit will be the heaviest and it will take time to dry. I have that suit and happy to report that it dries overnight if I get out around 18:00, let the suit drip for a few hours and then turn it inside out for the night. In my experience, the suit takes a bit longer to dry compared to a crushed neoprene alternative. I also dove this suit in tropical waters - yes, it gets a bit steamy but nothing too critical.
• Classic Kevlar is a lot like the Pro but with less Kevlar lining. Will be lighter and may dry quicker.
• Trilam Kevlar Pro and Classic Trilam Kevlar are trilam suits. SF Tech called these suits TNT until the recent rebrand. These suits are light and they dry quickly. I know people with multiple SF Tech suits who prefer to dive Trilam Kevlar Pro in tropics.

As for the weight, it really depends on your size and what you add to the suit. I was worried about the weight initially, but due to the high neoprene quality I did not find the suit to be heavier than Bare.

If you're diving in warm waters, I'd recommend going with Trilam Kevlar Pro. It costs a bit more than the Classic Trilam Kevlar, but the Kevlar lining around the entire suit is super nice.