Hi folks, 1st post so be gentle! I've searched and read as much as I can about the silicon user replaceable and neoprene neck seals which is my final decision to make on my first (and hopefully last or at least for a long time) drysuit purchase.
The reason I put the year in the title as many of the posts around the subject seem many years old and I believe things have moved on in both the silicone and neoprene applications.
So which do people recommend for me:
I am on the thin side of a 5'11 build and want to use the suit year round from temps ranging from 8C in the UK to 27C in Egypt and Malta - basically anything up to 3mm territory (I feel the cold). OC backmount but will likely be switching to sidemount once I get a sidemount essentials slot.
From what I've read compared to neoprene I like the idea of the silicon system being easy to don, less prone to leak, greater neck mobility and self replaceable. What I'm not too keen on is the fixed ring, how delicate this might be (especially when travelling / packing etc) and how I imagine it feels against the back of your neck and chest + some mobility restrictions that I have picked up on in the forum - although this might be less of a problem in sidemount). Also adding the warm neck system seems to add bulk to the neck of the suit which may interfere with a long hose / sidemount setup with the 2nd reg hanging beneath the primary.
My LDS is recommending neoprene for comfort and minimalism, but out of the 4 people (all instructors) I know with opinions on the matter, 1 says neoprene is a struggle to don and very often leaks and 2 swear by it, but neither have much experience with the latest Sitech silicon system supplied with Santi suits.
Final point is I'm told if I opt for neoprene first I cannot go to silicon without having the whole top half of the suit rebuilt. I can go from silicone to neoprene though but it would be a fiddle removing the warm neck and I'd need a new hood (without the skirt) so quite a cost (and time without a suit) implication.
Grateful if you can provide thoughts / advice, ideally for those who have tried both and can comment on the most recent versions of each - I've heard neoprene has become easier to don with newer material tech for example.
Needless to say its a huge investment for me so I want to minimise regret!
Many Thanks
Simon
The reason I put the year in the title as many of the posts around the subject seem many years old and I believe things have moved on in both the silicone and neoprene applications.
So which do people recommend for me:
I am on the thin side of a 5'11 build and want to use the suit year round from temps ranging from 8C in the UK to 27C in Egypt and Malta - basically anything up to 3mm territory (I feel the cold). OC backmount but will likely be switching to sidemount once I get a sidemount essentials slot.
From what I've read compared to neoprene I like the idea of the silicon system being easy to don, less prone to leak, greater neck mobility and self replaceable. What I'm not too keen on is the fixed ring, how delicate this might be (especially when travelling / packing etc) and how I imagine it feels against the back of your neck and chest + some mobility restrictions that I have picked up on in the forum - although this might be less of a problem in sidemount). Also adding the warm neck system seems to add bulk to the neck of the suit which may interfere with a long hose / sidemount setup with the 2nd reg hanging beneath the primary.
My LDS is recommending neoprene for comfort and minimalism, but out of the 4 people (all instructors) I know with opinions on the matter, 1 says neoprene is a struggle to don and very often leaks and 2 swear by it, but neither have much experience with the latest Sitech silicon system supplied with Santi suits.
Final point is I'm told if I opt for neoprene first I cannot go to silicon without having the whole top half of the suit rebuilt. I can go from silicone to neoprene though but it would be a fiddle removing the warm neck and I'd need a new hood (without the skirt) so quite a cost (and time without a suit) implication.
Grateful if you can provide thoughts / advice, ideally for those who have tried both and can comment on the most recent versions of each - I've heard neoprene has become easier to don with newer material tech for example.
Needless to say its a huge investment for me so I want to minimise regret!
Many Thanks
Simon
