Dry Suit for the Great Lakes

[wb416]

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

I've got over 400 dives on my DUI TLS-350 and it's still going strong. Advantage that I like is it's quick dry and light.

My insulation depends on water temp and if there's a thermocline.

For deco diving with a thermocline, I've gotten away with the thin DUI insulation and a combination of insulated poly-pro undies.

For no thermocline (all <40°F), I prefer my Weezle extreme Plus and a paper thin polypro to aid moisture wicking.

 

[vikingdrydiver]

I dive a Viking PRO at Gilboa, White Star, Lake Erie, etc. I have never been disappointed and I can vouch for the easy repair - cut my suit on a wreck and fixed it quickly and you can hardly see where the cut was.

 

[ScubaScott]

This was my 2nd season in the ATR. If you get one that fits decent, its a good suit for the cash. If you get one that doesn't fit so well (Bare doesn't so custom cuts, only modifications), then you can have a bunch of problems, and its not a real good deal.

As far as standing up to Great Lake diving, no problem. Zebra muscles, sharp wreckage, charter ladders, numerous shore dives, ice and snow, rock entry/exits with doubles....
No problem.

Now, I have not had any good experiences dealing with Bare for any type of problems that I did have - neck seal, dump valve. I thought thier customer service for me sucked, but there are plenty of other Bare owners who claim just the opposite

I'd avoid Bare underwear. Yes its warm, but its also a straightjacket. Go for some type of undergarmet that stretches, and has a cut thats close to the body - not bulky, especially in the lower legs.

YMMV
SS