Kubi dry gloves...

[rjgiddings]

I finally did it- ripped my DUI zip-seal on the left cuff. On the suit side. Underwater Sports in Seattle sent it to DUI in San Diego and of course they require replacing both seals - to the tune of $ 200.00. this piracy is worthy of it's own thread/rant altogether.

But my question put forth to the online masses ( I'll borrow the phrase 'Hive Mind' from Lynne ) now is:

Anyone use the KUBI rings and dry glove system?

Good, bad, indifferent thoughts about it?

I am beyond fed up w/ the poor dexterity of the thick blue smurf gloves.
It's time for something thinner, but still want to keep the warmth if possible.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Showa 720s are nitrile, not pvc. They are warmer and stretchier than pvc gloves.
SHOWA 720R | Showa Gloves

 

[broncobowsher]

I've had a set of Kubis for a year and a half now. I love them. Got them with the rings attached to the suit, no adaptor rings. Replacement G17K gloves from Zoro for $3 a pair, I stocked up. The only tool I need to change a wrist seal of dry glove is a zip tie, use that to work the O-ring out of the groove. I have not needed to change one on the boat, but I have done it in the hotel between days of diving. I prefer the Kubi over even a set of 3mm neoprene gloves. Normally I wear a large glove, but I needed larger gloves to fit the liner correctly. Initially ordering too small of a glove was my only mistake. But new (cheap) gloves fixed that. Also I have upped the liner from the simple knit that they are supplied with (kept as a backup) with a set of Mountain Hardware liners. Warmth and dexterity. I also love being able to gear up and have the gloves be one of the last things I put on.

I have watched friends dive with the zipgloves. I never really understood them. the gloves are a wear item. The quick change isn't so quick. That "wow" factor once you actually get the glove clipped into the suit and hopefully clocked to the sleeve correctly. And how DUI charges that much for the gloves.

 

[npole]

KUBI is fantastic, you can leave the rigs attacked when you won't use it. Wear them is a matter of seconds. As others mentioned: be sure to get the correct glove size (consider the glove tickness you have to wear under it) ...got the wrong (too small) size when I purchased them.

 

[rjgiddings]

I think my hand diameter size would be a kubi 90mm ring. Thanks for the different glove options. I really like the idea of getting kitted up, then 'clicking' the gloves in just before I enter the water. The Kubi youtube videos I've watched look pretty slick.

 

[_Ralph]

I've had a set on my last two dry suits ... still going strong!

The new suit has a different (but equally as good) system, so they're being retired and passed on to someone who's tired of their (plastic) seals/taping gloves on.


_R

 

[broncobowsher]

Kubi has a little silicone tube you slip under the wrist seal. On shallow dives I tend to leave them out and take the squeeze. On deeper dives I like them. Get the gloves to equalize with the suit. I don't know how I haven't lost those little suckers yet. I forget them and later see them on the floor of the boat, more than once. I went searching and found the stuff in bulk. Not exactly the same, this stuff is slightly stiffer but after using it I can't tell the difference. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N75T1P0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5 meters of this stuff will last forever. I keep a couple spares in with the gloves, couple more in the spare seals, and a couple more in the save a dive kit (which usually is used to save someone else's dive).

 

[npole]

You really don't need any equalization tube, just leave the inner glove under your silicone whistle (it helps to wear the inner glove before putting you put drysuit arms on), it will leave enough air passage to equalize the glove.
There's a video of the Santi owner doing it himself... I learned from him.

 

[rjgiddings]

You wrote silicone whistle...my brain still interpreted this as : silicone wrist seal.

 

[Gareth J]

I've been using dry gloves for 3 years now.
I had Kubis fitted last year. They have been excellent, and a lot easier to use than the Sitech's I had previously.

I have always kept the glove sealed from the suit - in case of a flood. I have on the odd occasion dived with no wrist seal, due to a wrist seal failure and no spare. But having - through operator error, flooded the odd glove, or punctured a glove, I don't want the water to end up in the suit!

The Kubis rings are fitted to the suit. This makes changing wrist seals easy. Similarly, changing a glove is quick and easy.

Its much more comfortable - especially during the winter months.