Dry Suit Features

[Wijbrandus]

I am beginning to consider the drysuit investment, and I was wondering what features you consider a must have, should have, and nice to have. Not so much what brand, but rather the elements that make a great drysuit vs. one you just deal with. And what kind of stuff should I avoid?

Reading MHK's comments on people who spend all this money before a class and get the buyer's blues makes me want to be double sure on my selection.

 

[MechDiver]

I am beginning to consider the drysuit investment, and I was wondering what features you consider a must have, should have, and nice to have. Not so much what brand, but rather the elements that make a great drysuit vs. one you just deal with. And what kind of stuff should I avoid?

Reading MHK's comments on people who spend all this money before a class and get the buyer's blues makes me want to be double sure on my selection.

Fit, fit and then, fit.
Trilam
self-entry
two pockets
suspenders
latex seals
drygloves
rock boots

MHK has a rather closed mind where equipment is concerned.

I have two drysuits that I like. I like one better than the other because its lighter and fits better. You have to look at whats out there and start deciding what is important to you.

MD

 

[Laser]

MHK is, of course, right on with his thoughts on drysuits. He covered aspects that most people don't think of. In DIRF he also went over proper fit of the suit, not just with respect to reaching valves, but with the entire suit.
Other things to consider would be dump valve location, zipper location, material of suit, rock boot type, or rubber soles, pocket type and location ( I learned after the fact that zipper pockets aren't the greatest choice ). These are some of the decisions you'll have to make. Budget often plays a big role, but if you plan on diving a lot you'll be happy you spent the money up front to plan and get the exact suit you want or it will be on ebay later on. It is difficult for someone who has never used a DS before. I have the TLS350 and love it, but I would do the pockets different, and I need the stretch panels under the arms for the suit to be perfect for me. I learned the hard way.

 

[Diver0001]

I am beginning to consider the drysuit investment, and I was wondering what features you consider a must have, should have, and nice to have. Not so much what brand, but rather the elements that make a great drysuit vs. one you just deal with. And what kind of stuff should I avoid?

Reading MHK's comments on people who spend all this money before a class and get the buyer's blues makes me want to be double sure on my selection.

I stumbled across a website with some pretty good general information:

http://www.njscuba.net/gear/eqpt_exposure_suits.html#drysuit

You might want to give that a read.

As for my personal opinion I think compressed neoprene or trilam are the better materials. I also think it's worth getting a dry glove system. It makes a big difference to your warmth/comfort.

R..

 

[cyklon_300]

not covering any new ground here, but just to confirm what the others have said...

Proper fit (I'm using a stock size and it's working well, but a custom suit is a necessity if you have a 'unique' body type). An ill-fitting suit will be a source of constant irritation...

Trilam

Front-entry zip

Velcro pockets placed in the proper location

P-valve (holding it is an exercise in masochism)

FWIW, I'm getting along nicely without rockboots and drygloves.

 

[grouchyturtle]

P-valve (holding it is an exercise in masochism)

FWIW, I'm getting along nicely without rockboots and drygloves.

Oh yeah P-Valve, maybe the most important piece of equipment ever invented.

Dry gloves are high on my list for next year too.

 

[String]

Decent fit is important.

Latex seals a must for me - i wont go near neoprene seals

Cuff dump - i hate shoulder dumps

Rear zip.

Hard wearing (for a membrane Cordura or similar covering)

At least 1 cargo pocket for putting my DSMB and stuff into.

 

[Boogie711]

Wijbrandus - if you're thinking of going down the DIR road, the only piece of advice I would offer you is - take fundies BEFORE you get a drysuit.

BEFORE.

You won't regret it.

 

[IndigoBlue]

Wijbrandus - if you're thinking of going down the DIR road, the only piece of advice I would offer you is - take fundies BEFORE you get a drysuit.

BEFORE.

You won't regret it.

Occasionally I find myself in total agreement with Boogie. (I know that is scary for both of us.)

If you are going down the DIR road, do not buy anything until you have spoken with a DIR instructor. And since you mentioned MHK that suggests you are already on the DIR road.

Back to your original question, though, SUSPENDERS is the nicest thing about my own drysuit, which is a TRILAM shell.

Next nicest thing is a large cargo pocket. One is a must, two is nice to have.

Third nicest thing would be to have the dump valve on a forearm closer to the wrist, not up on the deltoid. The high dump valve on the deltoid is annoying.

I like attached boots. Rock boots is one more thing to deal with on the boat, which I would not like dealing with.

In terms of brand names and designs, I prefer the Diving Concepts design over the fold-in-the-middle DUI design.

Best thing would be to try renting a few different designs, and see for yourself. Some stores rent drysuits.

 

[IrishAngel]

Fit, Fit, Fit... If you need to.. invest on a custom fit..

Try before you buy... DUI has "Dive Days" find out when they are by you.. Rent & Dive a few different designs..

Brands I would look at are DUI & Design Concepts..

A large velcro cargo pocket.. suspenders... kevlar knee pads..

I like molded boots (not rock boots), latex neck seal, neoprene wrist seals..

self-donning zipper..

A wrist dump valve is going to take abuse & get in your way..

I use 5 finger gloves in the summer & three finger mitts this time of year..

Your dry suit will be with you a long time.. and is HUGE to your diving pleasure.. so decide up-front you aren't going to "deal" with anything.. Get what you want & need...

Good Luck !