Current top drysuits for rec diving

[jale]

Not recommended for technical diving as even crushed neoprene compresses slightly
.

Oh really?

 

[Danny D]

Comparatively, does Seaskin have a suit material or overlay similar to the DUI CLX / Santi Elite or is it more in line with the DUI TLS?

Can any of the Seaskin suit owners comment on this...?

 

[vioch]

I would say the overlay is inline with DUI TLS, but trilam by itself has twice density - something 240 g/m2 (if I remember correctly) vs 500 g/m2

 

[Danny D]

I would say the overlay is inline with DUI TLS, but trilam by itself has twice density - something 240 g/m2 (if I remember correctly) vs 500 g/m2

Thank you very much for your reply. I need the abrasion resistance/ buoyancy characteristics of a CLX/Elite suit. Still these look like a no brainer for the majority!

 

[vioch]

I don't think that trilams have significant difference in buoyancy characteristics.
As to abrasion resistance - TLS has just "knees" reinforcement with second layer of fabric, but with Seaskin Nova protection options it shouldn't be an issue at all as they can cover most critical areas.
I personally added just crotch reinforcement and PU elbow pads (PU knee pads Nova has by default, but they may be replaced with Kevlar ones)

 

[Danny D]

Many options for these suits. Perhaps they will create one with the more robust material offering at some point.

 

[vioch]

The material doesn't seem to be less robust than CLX - just has different appearance - similar to TLS.

Here is screenshot from seaskin faq

 

[Bald Wookie]

Many options for these suits. Perhaps they will create one with the more robust material offering at some point.

In general I would say it depends what you're diving for.
If its recreational, knee, elbow and crotch pads (for a BP/W setup crotch strap) are likely all you need, otherwise you start to loose flexibility.
Full kevlar-outer neoprene suits are available, but realistically these are aimed at commercial guys who need the excess abrasion or puncture resistance (e.g. Aquaculture Cage divers, or Urchin divers, etc).

Practice good buoyancy and (unless you're in a surgey or high current area) you'll be fine

 

[JBFG]

In general I would say it depends what you're diving for.
If its recreational, knee, elbow and crotch pads

I would add shoulder protection on that list. The shoulder strap webbing will do the same damage as your crotch strap.
Why do you need to reinforce the elbows anyway?
And I find the knee reinforcement also redundant if you have good buoyancy.

 

[stuartv]

Thank you very much for your reply. I need the abrasion resistance/ buoyancy characteristics of a CLX/Elite suit. Still these look like a no brainer for the majority!

I'm not sure what you mean about the buoyancy characteristics.

The only buoyancy issue I see with drysuits is ones that are uncompressed neoprene. I would not want one of those. But, with compressed or crushed neoprene, it is really a wash between that and trilam.

You can wear a compressed neoprene suit with a thinner undergarment or a trilam with a thicker undergarment (and thus, more air in the suit), to get equivalent warmth. So, buoyancy works out pretty much the same.

I don't know anything really about the DUI CLX or TLS. But, I have a few friends with Santi E.lite suits and, on casual inspection, the material doesn't seem any more "tough" than the Seaskin trilam material. Maybe there is some difference. But, the Seaskin is pretty darn tough. I did my Advanced Wreck Penetration training in my Seaskin trilam over 18 months ago, and have used it for wreck dives in Lake Erie since then. It still looks literally like new. I did order it with the Kevlar knee pads and the extra PU protection on the elbows.

For the money of a Santi, I would rather have 2 Seaskins (and a LOT of change leftover), so that when one needs a repair for any reason, I would have another one to wear and keep diving in the meantime.