Seaskin nova sanity check

[Michael_J]

Hi all - I'm ordering a SeaSkin Nova drysuit and looking for a sanity check. I've been through all the advice threads. I mostly dive in Monterey, some in the PNW. I am trying to future-proof to some degree, though this would be my first drysuit. Customization below, but mainly curious a few questions:

• I'm 5'9" and 155lbs (male). My weight fluctuates a bit - how much room is there to gain/lose weight with the custom fit?
• SiTech Oval Cuff Rings - are these the right choice for wrist seals? I haven't dove dry gloves before, and don't anticipate it for regular diving, but want to maintain the option.
• SiTech VEGA Inflation Valve - is this worth getting to future-proof for a heated vest? Or do most heated vests come with internal battery backs now, so the VEGA wouldn't required?
• Elasticated Back Panel - is this necessary?
• Extra thick undergarments - worth getting for Monterey/PNW?
• Am I missing anything, or anything you'd suggest I not get?
• I'm planning to take the GUE Fundamentals class soon - any issues with GUE-compliance of drysuits?

Drysuit:

2. Style and cut
a. Fully Telescopic Torso
3. Zip and pee valve options
a. Main Body Dry Zip Cover
b. YKK Plastic Dry Zip fitted into membrane drysuit
c. Light Monkey Balanced P-Valve
d. P-Valve Tidy
4. Seal, neck and wrist system options
a. Quick Neck system with Silflex seal
b. Warm neck standard
c. SiTech Oval Cuff Rings (Siflex seals)
d. Supplement for Siflex (Silicon) wrist seals with Sitech/Kubi Docking systems
5. Valve options
a. Move Dump (DIR)
b. Inflation Valve Comfort Patch
6. Boot and sock options
a. Compressed Neoprene Socks
7. Additional protection options
a. Kevlar Knee Pads
8. Comfort and customisation options
a. Increase Braces width to 40mm
b. Reflective Tape Kit
c. Name/flag badge
d. Change Mat Drysuit Bag Upgrade
e. Elasticated Back Panel
9. Pocket and attachment point options
a. Seaskin-Braces Pocket
b. Two expedition pockets with outside seam placement (90 deg)
c. Computer strap patches

 

[JohnN]

Hi all - I'm ordering a SeaSkin Nova drysuit and looking for a sanity check. I've been through all the advice threads. I mostly dive in Monterey, some in the PNW. I am trying to future-proof to some degree, though this would be my first drysuit. Customization below, but mainly curious a few questions:

• I'm 5'9" and 155lbs (male). My weight fluctuates a bit - how much room is there to gain/lose weight with the custom fit?
• SiTech Oval Cuff Rings - are these the right choice for wrist seals? I haven't dove dry gloves before, and don't anticipate it for regular diving, but want to maintain the option.
• SiTech VEGA Inflation Valve - is this worth getting to future-proof for a heated vest? Or do most heated vests come with internal battery backs now, so the VEGA wouldn't required?
• Elasticated Back Panel - is this necessary?
• Extra thick undergarments - worth getting for Monterey/PNW?
• Am I missing anything, or anything you'd suggest I not get?
• I'm planning to take the GUE Fundamentals class soon - any issues with GUE-compliance of drysuits?

Drysuit:

2. Style and cut
a. Fully Telescopic Torso
3. Zip and pee valve options
a. Main Body Dry Zip Cover
b. YKK Plastic Dry Zip fitted into membrane drysuit
c. Light Monkey Balanced P-Valve
d. P-Valve Tidy
4. Seal, neck and wrist system options
a. Quick Neck system with Silflex seal
b. Warm neck standard
c. SiTech Oval Cuff Rings (Siflex seals)
d. Supplement for Siflex (Silicon) wrist seals with Sitech/Kubi Docking systems
5. Valve options
a. Move Dump (DIR)
b. Inflation Valve Comfort Patch
6. Boot and sock options
a. Compressed Neoprene Socks
7. Additional protection options
a. Kevlar Knee Pads
8. Comfort and customisation options
a. Increase Braces width to 40mm
b. Reflective Tape Kit
c. Name/flag badge
d. Change Mat Drysuit Bag Upgrade
e. Elasticated Back Panel
9. Pocket and attachment point options
a. Seaskin-Braces Pocket
b. Two expedition pockets with outside seam placement (90 deg)
c. Computer strap patches

I’d go for the metal zipper, Ive seen the plastic zippers catch on poofy undergarments and become separated

I really like the PSI glove rings, round not oval. Except for pull-over gloves, I don’t know of any oval dry glove systems

Id skip the kevlar knee pads. Unless you’re crawling through caves

I use a Venture Heat vest. Internal batteries

If you’re going GUE the elastic back panel isn’t useful with a backplate (IMHO)

 

[Wants2divemore]

c. Computer strap patches

I have this on mine and don't think it's worth it. It's very thin and seems like it might easily rip off if subjected to a lot of stress. I subsequently put 2 bungee loops on my Perdix so I never use it.

 

[Boarderguy]

No elastic back panel.
I like Kubi rings. Dry gloves every dive with no wrist seals.
Back, knee, & shoulder protection. Request no "Kevlar" writing on knees
Plastic zip, I meant to order but forgot to on the final build I made. Get the cover, it makes rinsing the suit easy and protects your dry zip.
Pockets... I have the zippered and love them. I wouldn't go smaller though

 

[lexvil]

Plastic zip, no need for extra protection, oval rings (si teak Antaries is an oval dry glove system, waterproof has one too) but you pop out the oval rings and the dry glove system comes with new hard rings so if you decide to go dry you’ll have many options (just go Rolock 90)

The elastic back if to gather material due to women’s shape so no.

Puffy undergarments are a no for me, so I’ve never needed the extra space.

Trigon pee valve is a better simpler set up.

This is just my opinion based on a few years of use but I never open my suit again one buttoned up, once you have a pee valve there is no need to do so, so in my opinion you don’t need braces at all let alone wider ones.

I prefer the large zippered pockets (pocket for me as I rarely need one let alone two)

You have other unnecessary stuff but those are personalization things and go for it is you want them.

If you don’t want the quick neck system I would suggest a glued in neoprene neck seal but with the quick neck you can buy a waterproof neoprene seal to replace the silicone one and keep it as a spare.

 

[stretchthepenn]

Seaskin suits are cut pretty skinny. If you anticipate some bioprene additions, opt for the "fluffy underoos" fit and then add 2-3 centimeters to the areas that will reflect any weight gain.

Yes to the oval cuff rings. If you're seriously considering dives that require heated undergarments, you'll want drygloves, and the good dryglove systems require the ovals.

I'm skeptical about the Vega valve. I have one and like it, but I also swap it out for a standard valve whenever I'm not using my Light Monkey externally heated shirt. If you can use the Vega without installing the power cord, then it'd probably work just fine for you, but if not, you'd need to buy an E/O blank plug. Also, the flapping cord would probably get in the way. I end up swapping out the Vega for a standard drysuit inflation valve whenever I don't use the LM shirt.

The elasticated back panel probably isn't necessary, but I like having it.

The need for extra-thick undergarments depends on your personal tolerance to cold. You could save some bulk by going electric or getting a Fourth Element Argon undersuit. It's pricey but significantly thinner than other undergarments.

I think the rest of your selections make decent sense. Personally, I'd skip the P-hose tidy -- I can't see a use for it, TBH -- but if it makes you happy, go for it.