Dry Suit for the Great Lakes

[bladephotog]

I'm posting this question here because I hope to get responses from some fellow Great Lakes divers. I'm looking to buy my first drysuit. For diving in our region, quarries and the Great Lakes, is it better to get a tri-laminate suit or one of the neoprene kinds? What are some pluses and minuses of each? Or does it make much difference at all? I'm hoping to dive Tobermory, the Straits, and more Lake Superior this year. I did a couple of dives at Munising last summer in my semi-dry, and while I my comfort level was OK I could've been warmer. Also, how much insulation would I need for starters. I know this is probably a personal thing.

One suit I'm looking at is the Bare ATR which I can get through my LDS. It looks like a pretty nice suit for the money. Any others to look at? I'd love some feedback specific to diving in our area.

Thanks a bunch,

Andy

 

[diverbrian]

I'm posting this question here because I hope to get responses from some fellow Great Lakes divers. I'm looking to buy my first drysuit. For diving in our region, quarries and the Great Lakes, is it better to get a tri-laminate suit or one of the neoprene kinds? What are some pluses and minuses of each? Or does it make much difference at all? I'm hoping to dive Tobermory, the Straits, and more Lake Superior this year. I did a couple of dives at Munising last summer in my semi-dry, and while I my comfort level was OK I could've been warmer. Also, how much insulation would I need for starters. I know this is probably a personal thing.

One suit I'm looking at is the Bare ATR which I can get through my LDS. It looks like a pretty nice suit for the money. Any others to look at? I'd love some feedback specific to diving in our area.

Thanks a bunch,

Andy

Andy,

Personally, I use a tri-laminate drysuit. I have an Andy's DS-1 with 200 g. insulation and Bare undergarments. I stay pretty toasty, even using wetsuit gloves.

I recommend three suits. You will notice that foam neoprene is not one of them and that is simply based on personal experience. I tried out a foam neoprene suit and found it way too "floaty" and that was using heavy doubles. That buoyancy shift with neoprene is a real pain to me.

I recommend tri-laminates, Vikings, and crushed neoprene. Many of the divers here use Bare model drysuits with no problem and I know of a few Vikings. The crushed neoprene is because I tried one out and it fit me like a glove. It was like a second skin even with insulation. The catch... crushed neoprene is practically bulletproof and expensive. I cannot justify the price difference in my mind between the crushed neoprene suit that I tried and a Cordura tri-lam suit.

Your mileage may vary with this advice, so be sure to read the other people who are sure to respond as well. Good luck!

Brian

 

[Bob3]

Which is better, apples or oranges?
Actually, there is an old thread here that asked the same exact question, and it produced a very comprehensive discussion, one of the better posts I've seen on the topic.

http://www.scubaboard.com/t7462-.html

I use a couple different types, after all, they're tax deductable.
Unisuit for ice conditions & shell for most of the other times, though I still use a wetsuit whenever possible.

 

[diver_paula]

I'd definitely read the thread suggested by Bob3.

However, my preference has been to stay away from neoprene drysuits because of the added buoyancy. I soooo don't need additional weight on my weight belt. Crushed neoprene was out because of the cost.

I'm on my second drysuit now and it's a stretchy tri-laminate. Wonderful stuff!!! With both suits I've used and had absolutley no complaints with a neoprene neck seal - for warmth! and latex wrist seals - for a better seal on my skinny wrists and because the warmth comes from my gloves.

Paula

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I'm diving a Viking Xtreme with 400g thinsulate undies and I still get cold in warm water but that's just me Whatever suit you get make sure the doggone thing fits properly. Having a suit that's too big is a PITA but I won't bore you with my stories
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[diverbrian]

I'm diving a Viking Xtreme with 400g thinsulate undies and I still get cold in warm water but that's just me Whatever suit you get make sure the doggone thing fits properly. Having a suit that's too big is a PITA but I won't bore you with my stories
Ber :lilbunny:

Aww, C'mon Ber! Watching you wrestle with that suit was sooooo entertaining, LOL.

Actually, I second Ber's observation. I am on the edge where I need a medium suit and large seals and boots. It is very uncomfortable when one's face and hands want to turn blue which is what happens when I try on a straight medium suit.

 

[bladephotog]

Thanks for the replies and the excellent link!

Andy

 

[Bob3]

However, my preference has been to stay away from neoprene drysuits because of the added buoyancy. I soooo don't need additional weight on my weight belt. Crushed neoprene was out because of the cost.

Neoprene drysuits aren't as bad (buoyancy wise) as they're made out to be.
I use less lead with a Unisuit than I do with my farmer john wetsuit, and the amount of lead I wear with either a neoprene suit or shell is about the same. (your mileage may vary)
Compressed neoprene suits are a decent alternative for folks wanting to spend under a grand for a suit while getting away from much of the annoying buoyancy loss from suit compression. One of the most noteworthy features of a neoprene drysuit is a "bagless fit" as well as having insulation on the wrist area & more importantly, at the back of the neck.

My recommendation is: buy several drysuits of different materials so you always have the right suit for the job.

 

[bladephotog]

Neoprene drysuits aren't as bad (buoyancy wise) as they're made out to be.
I use less lead with a Unisuit than I do with my farmer john wetsuit, and the amount of lead I wear with either a neoprene suit or shell is about the same. (your mileage may vary)
Compressed neoprene suits are a decent alternative for folks wanting to spend under a grand for a suit while getting away from much of the annoying buoyancy loss from suit compression. One of the most noteworthy features of a neoprene drysuit is a "bagless fit" as well as having insulation on the wrist area & more importantly, at the back of the neck.

My recommendation is: buy several drysuits of different materials so you always have the right suit for the job.

I probably should have one drysuit for each pair of fins and mask that I have. This is the first year I've been diving seriously and I think I must be trying to open my own scuba store. I can only imagine how much gear some of you have accumulated over the years. So, yes, maybe I should just buy one drysuit of each material.

 

[DaveP]

Both crushed neoprene and trilam are good choices. For me, the crushed neoprene seemed a bit more comfortable, but I really like how fast the trilam dries after the dive and it doesn't hold that quarry water odor like neoprene does. Both seemed to keep me equally warm - the drysuit's job is to keep you dry - it's what's under the suit that keeps you warm.

Before you spend that kind of money, I'd really suggest trying out one of each type. This can be done through rentals at a dive shop (they might even do it for free if you're buying a drysuit from them), or you can spend a weekend diving with a bunch of different suits at DUI Demo Days for $5/day (and have a lot of fun at the same time).