A couple questions on ordering first drysuit

[Searcaigh]

Thanks. As to asking owners, that is what I am trying to do here

I meant in person in dive locations if you can. Better to see the goods in real life too compared to looking at photos on websites.

 

[happy-diver]

Seaskin Nova drysuit review

 

[Rukkian]

I meant in person in dive locations if you can. Better to see the goods in real life too compared to looking at photos on websites.

I have talked with a few near me, but won't be diving again until after I have the dry suit, and don't have any shops with several hours that even really know anything about equipment. They are not useful at all.

There are two shops in my area, but neither one is helpful at all. They are basically just for air fills. They really don't even know the gear they sell that well and don't even have dry suits.

 

[Rukkian]

1. Dive Rite In Scuba had a video where they said early plastic zippers had problems, but now they are good.
2. I am not sure how much it helps thermally. But it does help protect the neck seal a bit.
3. Having user replaceable silicon seals is nice. Just make sure to order the seals in advance of actually needing them.
4. Since you are new to dry suits you can get just the Kubi ring, and get the gloves later if you decide you need them. The kubi ring with silicon seals is nice (see #3 above).
9. Velcro bellows pockets are easy to open and can hold a good amount of stuff.

Thanks.

1. I can get either one, just not sure which is better.
2. The protection might be nice.
4. I am planning on getting the glove side, just read not sure whether to order from deadline, and have them shipped from the UK, or if there was a place to buy the glove side in the us that would be more economical.

 

[Bald Wookie]

Firstly, I guess you're getting a tri-lam as you're getting a seaskin?

1. metal vs ykk plastic zip - I have seen both, any personal experiences I should know?

Both are good - plastic is a little more flexible. Metal has a good track record, but plastic is much better than it was.​

2. Warm neck option useful?

No. Especially when you need the neck seal replaced - your drysuit repair person will thank you. Your hood goes over your seal anyways....​

3. I am thinking siflex seals for the kubi?

You mean silicone seals? Sure. I would definitely get user replaceable wrist seals, such as si-tech. Its a good investment for if you tear a seal at a dive site. User replaceable neck seals is 50/50. I've had many people love them, many hate them. The neck ring does add bulk, and I have seen the neck ring pop out, and it is harder to put back in place than the wrists. It is handy if you tear a neck seal. Personally, I have a neoprene neck seal and I find it comfortable, plus less likely to tear than a latex/silicone. I have silicon wrists, find them comfy, I take the extra time to don/doff them so they don't rip. Don't rush it ​

4. I am planning on ordering the kubi ring, and I know you also have to order the glove side separately. Since I am in the us, is there a better place to order just the glove side, instead of having it shipped, since I am assuming it is universal. I check dris, but they only seem to sell the whole thing (including the part to install in the suit.

Not really sure what you're after here... I would only go Kubi for dry gloves with glued in seals, otherwise there are better (in my opinion) options for suits with (for example) si-tech cuffs. Pull over gloves require no extra system, are cheap and reliable. There are a few glove systems, the waterproof Ultima is popular, and one or two of the si-tech ones work well. Stay away from the 4th element ones (notoriously difficult) and the Antares (IIRC).​

5. Any reason to move any of the valves? I see lots of options, but having never used a dry suit, I am not sure.

Just get standard placement on the upper arm (Dump) and chest (inflation).​

6. Sitech valves vs the standard apeks?

Apeks are expensive for no real benefit. Get sitech. Cheaper, just as good.​

7. I already have rock boots from deep6, are the compressed neoprene socks the best option?

I prefer boots on the suit. Unless you're cave diving or penetrating wrecks where you need a lot of ankle mobility, then sure, get socks and rock boots. Neoprene socks tend to get holes, need replacing or patching, and if you're diving cold water, tend to be colder as most people cinch down the laces on the rock boots and squash down the loft of the socks worn inside the suit.​

8. I know they say the extra protection (Bum, elbow, crutch, shoulder) is not really needed, wondering if it would be a good investment, or just a waste and add extra weight. Thinking the knee for sure, but not sure on the rest.

Knees, Yes. Shoulders, No. Crotch, yes if you have a BP/W. Elbow... what are you doing with your elbows?​

9. Pockets - Thinking the standard bellows on both sides, but open to opinions.

Yes. Pick one or two pockets.​

Finally - enjoy your new suit!

 

[bradymsu]

Plastic may not last quite as long but zips much easier. I just replaced my old metal zipper with a plastic one this year.
The neck seal surprisingly makes quite a difference if diving below 10C/50F.
The actual gloves in a Kubi setup aren't anything special. Any heavy duty industrial rubber glove will work. Go for a size XXL. You can buy them for under $10 on Amazon.
Intake valve on your chest, exhaust valve on the shoulder. Not sure why there would be other options.
Standard bellows pockets on both thighs is ideal. Keep in mind they may be hard to access if you go to sidemount.

The other questions I don't have enough experience with to answer.

 

[Mike1967]

exhaust valve on the shoulder. Not sure why there would be other options.

There's a "DIR" position that some people like, it's more towards the tricep.

 

[DFM62]

1. metal vs ykk plastic zip - I have seen both, any personal experiences I should know? You should consider backzip vs frontzip: bacckzip zips tend to last quite a bit longer. Replacement of zips are expensive. I wouldn't set my money on plastic being better material than brass for a drysuit zip, but I'm kinda conservative also...
2. Warm neck option useful? In cold waters Yes, absolutely
3. I am thinking siflex seals for the kubi? Waterproof Ultima or Viking Bayonet are good and reliable options. I don't care much for the Sitech options I have tried. Pull-the -glove-over systems tends to be hard to manage by oneself - you may need help to get the gloves on and over the rings. Glove systems that are supposed to seal aganst your latex wrist seals by an integrated cuff are not really suited for real cold waters, as your wrists will be cold anyway.
4. I am planning on ordering the kubi ring, and I know you also have to order the glove side separately. Since I am in the us, is there a better place to order just the glove side, instead of having it shipped, since I am assuming it is universal. I check dris, but they only seem to sell the whole thing (including the part to install in the suit.
5. Any reason to move any of the valves? I see lots of options, but having never used a dry suit, I am not sure. No
6. Sitech valves vs the standard apeks? Go with the Sitech
7. I already have rock boots from deep6, are the compressed neoprene socks the best option? Rock boots are better, alternatively neoprene socks with separate wet rock boots
8. I know they say the extra protection (Bum, elbow, crutch, shoulder) is not really needed, wondering if it would be a good investment, or just a waste and add extra weight. Thinking the knee for sure, but not sure on the rest. If the suit already has protective pads it will suffice.
9. Pockets - Thinking the standard bellows on both sides, but open to opinions. Deep pockets are good to have
.
I'd also think very carefully before adding a pee valve/zip - It is adding an extra potentional leak point - friend just jumped in the water here in 6C with his pee zip open... By the time he managed to get it closed, the damage was already done. Had trouble getting up in the boat again because of all the water in the suit.

 

[bradymsu]

I'd also think very carefully before adding a pee valve/zip - It is adding an extra leak point - friend just jumped in the water here in 6C with his pee valve open... Had trouble getting up in the boat again because of all the water in the suit.

Did he discover why his suit flooded with the valve open? Even with the valve open, it's a one way valve designed to let pee out but prevent water from coming in. Even if the valve was not working correctly, it should have been more of a thin stream of cold water coming in and stopping very noticeably at the end of the condom catheter sealed around his penis rather than a flooding event.

I was very hesitant to put a pee valve in my expensive custom DUI as well. Unfortunately the alternatives are to wear an adult diaper, not drink any liquids for an hour before a dive, or risk peeing one's drysuit insulation. Very few guys with pee valves regret installing them.

 

[Kohanbash]

Standard bellows pockets on both thighs is ideal. Keep in mind they may be hard to access if you go to sidemount.

For pockets I have seen some people put them on the front of their thighs for sidemount diving (instead of the sides).