tiburon72157
Guest
Your opinions...
Best semi-dry suit?
- Thread starter tiburon72157
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tiburon72157:
Hi Tiburon,
I have dived with my semi-dry(a Ski-Warm) which was originally purchased for waterskiing, several times. After that season, I wondered, "Why bother?" It has good seals which don't leak unless I crane my neck just right, and was quite warm but really, why not just get a true dry suit and appropriate training? Just about any semi-dry will bunch up on you due to suit squeeze, which is bearable, but again, why bother. My SCUBAPRO TEK 5mm wetsuit over a steamer is just as warm. I figure go wet or go dry. I won't spend anymore time in the middle, but that's just me.
crpntr133
lost, even with a compass
The only one that I have ever worn is a Mares Isotherm..it works but now I have gone to full dry. At the time I didn't have the money. There are several posts here that talk about the Isotherm.
Keep in mind that a semi doesn't have to fit as snug as a regular wet suit. Also some semis don't have a dry zipper so the only advantage that you have over a regular wet suit is the seals.
Keep in mind that a semi doesn't have to fit as snug as a regular wet suit. Also some semis don't have a dry zipper so the only advantage that you have over a regular wet suit is the seals.
1fastcat
Registered
For my money - Pinnacle Polar. The quality is at the best in class, design is superb, and merino wool lining really makes a difference. Also check with your LDS. Mine said that Pinnacle has a "dive it, like it, money back guarantee". It was the reason I gave it a try, and I have not regretted a single penny of the purchase.
CON8IV:
I'm not ready to invest in a dry suit and have been told I'll need a custom suit. I was going to buy a high quality 7 mil suit. A 7 mil semi-dry was the same price, and less than half the price of dry. So that's why not dry, but I'm sure I'll be in a dry suit within a year or two.
Mares
Mark Vlahos
Contributor
By semi-dry do you really mean a good wetsuit? My reading of the term semi-dry equals semi-wet. This type of suit does not have an inflation system to prevent a squeeze so some water will enter the suit to equalize the pressure.tiburon72157:
If you are in agreement with me on my definition of semi-dry, then I have experience with the Xcel Tri-Density Polar XCS suit. This suit has a wetsuit type zipper accross your chest and a built in hood. I think this is a wonderful suit for Southern California. Now; having said that I feel that I should tell you that I am currently in the process of switching to a real dry suit for So Cal diving. It is not so much about in the water comfort, but rather comfort during the surface interval that has me going dry.
In order for any wet suit to work well you should have a pretty snug fit to keep water migration to a minimum, this makes getting into and out of the suit a real chore especially if the suit is wet. The glide skin lining in my suit is a little grippy when wet. I try to bundle up with a big long coat over the whole thing, but I still loose heat during the interval.
If cost is a major factor keeping you out of a dry suit, keep your eyes on eBay for a used suit. Just plan on a couple of hundred dollars worth of repairs before you get in the water. If you get a suit that is really ready to dive on eBay then you are lucky and can put the extra money into things dive trips. If you go dry you will probably need new fins so plan on that as well. If you go wet you still need good thick gloves and booties which you may already have, but if not factor that cost in as well. The water here is right at the transition point between wet and dry so consider the entire situation, and add up all of the costs.
Have fun,
Mark Vlahos
Wayward Son
Contributor
I dive with a guy who has a Henderson 7/5 semi dry & raves about it. It has an attached hood with a chest zipper that uses a barrier to block water exchange through it.
Bob3
Contributor
The best suit is the one that fits you the best. In a wetsuit, fit is everything. Don't bother looking at brand names or price tags, try the critters on. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that a $150 suit fits you better than a $400 one.
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