Dry/wet gloves and drysuit seal

[jduncan]

Hello all.

I have ordered a custom drysuit and have the option of going with latex wrist seals (which I use now) vs the standard neoprene seals. I have been back and forth twice with the maker of the suit (who recommends neoprene) and I need to make a decision quickly. Here is my dilemma. The neoprene seals are of course more durable and warmer. The problem is that if I want to use a ring based dryglove system such as the Diving Concepts ones, I assume that once installed on the neoprene seals, I won't be able to remove them without the seal being stretched - so switching between wet and dry gloves won't be possible.

With latex seals I can swap back and forth - now I know that it's not easy - I wouldn't do it often. Maybe a couple times a season depending on the circumstances. The point is that I have the option to swap with latex, and not with neoprene (right?).

I know that latex isn't as durable, but I have heard of many people getting a few years out of them with care.

So I am looking for some opinions so I can make a final choice for the suit. Please help! Will I make a mistake swapping to latex wrist seals?

 

[Rainer]

With latex seals I can swap back and forth - now I know that it's not easy - I wouldn't do it often. Maybe a couple times a season depending on the circumstances.

Why wouldn't this be easy? I have latex seals with rings. Since my dry gloves kept flooding (a different issue!), I've been using wet gloves with the rings in place. If and when I want to attach the dry gloves, I just put those on. Don't see what the difficulty is with switching?

 

[scarefaceDM]

I would go with latex seals...the rings for the Drygloves will not bother you...you can use either one anytime...

No need to remove the Rings.

 

[jduncan]

So I assume you both use an inner seal system?

 

[jduncan]

The reason I want to remove them is because they are bulky and vulnerable for lobstering.

 

[scarefaceDM]

This is what I use
http://www.skaana.com/Skaana/skaana1.html

Click on pop off...

 

[ClayJar]

Basically, the rule of thumb (hand?) is neoprene doesn't like rings. I went with neo neck and latex wrists, and that seems to be a rather popular combination.

(Obviously, there are exceptions, but the general trend seems such.)

 

[String]

I've tried dry gloves and found them near impossible to fit totally on my own usually resulting in one good fit and one leak.

One thing considering if ive recently tried "extreme" 3-finger mitts. Ive found these far warmer than wet gloves and dry gloves.

As for latex, you can get different thickness so can get fairly durable. Its also very easy and quick to fix (with a repair kit) and change a broken latex seal yourself.

 

[jduncan]

Basically, the rule of thumb (hand?) is neoprene doesn't like rings. I went with neo neck and latex wrists, and that seems to be a rather popular combination.

(Obviously, there are exceptions, but the general trend seems such.)

Right, that's what I am thinking. I certainly plan to leave the neck seal neoprene.

Anyone else care to comment?

 

[jduncan]

I've tried dry gloves and found them near impossible to fit totally on my own usually resulting in one good fit and one leak.

One thing considering if ive recently tried "extreme" 3-finger mitts. Ive found these far warmer than wet gloves and dry gloves.

As for latex, you can get different thickness so can get fairly durable. Its also very easy and quick to fix (with a repair kit) and change a broken latex seal yourself.

Yes, O'three sent us some very nice Extreme Mitts to try. It's more a matter of being able to switch back and forth if I use neoprene seals, rather than dry vs wet gloves.