Dry Glove Ring Outer Profile Size?

[Erik H]

Hi all.

I'll be soon in the market for a Drysuit and I want to get a dry glove ring system for it. I've been looking around and have seen many different makes and models, but am concerned about the outer profile and size of the systems. I'm looking for dry glove systems that have a smaller diameter and don't feel like they are constantly in the way or too large when diving and using the suit. Anyone know which systems are smaller in profile?

I'm looking to get a more premium MTM suit so I guess smaller rings can be accommodated for and fitted by the manufacturer... I'm not a very big guy so I am able to get my hands through smaller rings. I want to be able to add silicone seals if needed, so that means that a glue in ring system is the only option (if I've understood right as silicone doesn't glue well to anything). I'll also be using the suit in cold water, which means thicker gloves and less dexterity, so a simple to use system is preferential.

I'd like sturdy rings (maybe metal) and have looked at systems like Kubi, ScubaForce Thenar, PSI Press Lock but have also heard good things about the RoLock 90.

If it helps, I've tried the Kubi Sizing Chart (home made) and am able to comfortably squeeze my bare hand through the 80mm hole and a loose fist through the 90mm hole.

 

[landphil]

Some women I dive with have gone with Kubi gloves to get the lowest profile possible. And they do look super compact. I use PSI Press Locks. They are super well made, all aluminum and definitely lower profile than ultima or rolock systems, but not close to the narrowest Kubis. The only time I feel like they are too wide is when I’m working my drysuit zipper and buzz the brass teeth with the edge of the aluminum ring. That’s also when I wish it was plastic instead of aluminum . But if I pay attention when I run the zipper, it’s pretty easy to keep clear, and likely would never happen if I didn’t have a cross-chest zip

 

[JohnN]

Some women I dive with have gone with Kubi gloves to get the lowest profile possible. And they do look super compact. I use PSI Press Locks. They are super well made, all aluminum and definitely lower profile than ultima or rolock systems, but not close to the narrowest Kubis. The only time I feel like they are too wide is when I’m working my drysuit zipper and buzz the brass teeth with the edge of the aluminum ring. That’s also when I wish it was plastic instead of aluminum . But if I pay attention when I run the zipper, it’s pretty easy to keep clear, and likely would never happen if I didn’t have a cross-chest zip

+1 for PSI rings.

 

[Kendall Raine]

I recently purchased Kubi's. I chose the 80 mm's. So far so good. My hand was a bit snug through the cardboard template but works fine on the actual ring. Something I didn't realize was the wrist on my cave cut TLS350 needed to have gussets installed for the suit side ring to fit. Without the gussets I would have rapidly lost my mind trying to install the suit side,

 

[gregbenson314]

I just measured my Santi SmartGlove system at 37cm circumference.


They're great, flexible rings that just pop on, however they are proprietary to Santi (and avatar) suits.

 

[Erik H]

I just measured my Santi SmartGlove system at 37cm circumference.


They're great, flexible rings that just pop on, however they are proprietary to Santi (and avatar) suits.

What do you think of the SmartGlove system? Does it feel solid? Easy to use? 37cm seems like a rather large size but what do you feel about the size factor? Does it ever get in the way?

 

[Erik H]

I recently purchased Kubi's. I chose the 80 mm's. So far so good. My hand was a bit snug through the cardboard template but works fine on the actual ring. Something I didn't realize was the wrist on my cave cut TLS350 needed to have gussets installed for the suit side ring to fit. Without the gussets I would have rapidly lost my mind trying to install the suit side,

Would you say that the rings have a larger opening than the holes in the sizing chart? That you hade to add gussets, does that mean that the suit you ordered had smaller arms that didn't originally accommodate for rings?

 

[Zef]

The smallest profile would be to have the Si-Tech QCS Oval wrist rings installed and couple it with the Fourth Element Ellipse dryglove rings.

The Ellipse works similar to the Ultima DGS but retains the system's low profile oval shape.

I am a fan of, and currently use the Rolock 90. Prior to the Rolock 90 I extensively used the Ultima DGS and also purchased a couple of sets of the Ellipse for testing and review purposes by me and my wife.

We still have one set of the Ellipse rings left. Shoot me a message if you have any interest in them.

-Z