Drysuit--4mm, 6mm, or shell?

[teknitroxdiver]

Here's what I want to use my (future) drysuit for:

Lake diving: minimum of 40 degree bottom temp, light wreck penetration, rocky bottom

River diving: don't do this currently but may in the future; current, rocks, cold

Ocean diving: Alabama/Florida coast, all 12 months, wrecks, rocks, spearfishing.

So, what would be best for me: (All Bare suits) D6 6mm "compression resistant Metalite neoprene laminate", back zip.

CD4 4mm "Compressed Metalite neoprene, laminated with Diamond-Tuff nylon.", back zip

Nex-Gen bilam, "Nex-Gen weldable fabric", back zip.

So, what do you guys think would be best? I'm looking to keep the price under around $700

thanks

 

[Rimp]

This question is difficult to address because there are lots of variations and options here. Trying to keep the costs down limits what you can do.

The neoprene suits are reportedly more durable with the 4mm probably the toughest of the bunch. The 6mm might introduce some compression weight issues. The 4mm will as well but to a lesser extent. Both neoprene suits would be slow to dry. The neoprene does fit tighter to the body, but then can be more restrictive as a result.

The Bilam suit is not the strongest, but it is the lightest. It offers the most freedom of motion (provided it it sized correctly). It will also dry instantly. It has its own set of problems though including being more like a bag that can hold more air than you want, can cause squeezing, and could puncture easier.

Pay attention to the exhaust valve on the rear entry drysuits, if it is in your armpit then this makes it more difficult to vent and control your buoyancy.

I would suggest trying on all three suits (if possible) and pick the one that feels right (fits best) for you.

A custom sized suit (if available) is always going to be the best fit, but you likely won't get that for $700.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Thanks for the info. It looks like Bares MT size will fit me quite well, so I won't get a custom yet.

 

[Tavi]

I bought a used Bare D-7 Supra (7 mil neoprene DS) on e-bay for $300+. It was to get me through one year of Diving in the Great Lakes while I saved for the suit I wanted. It was a good suit other than being really hot while gearing up in the summer. I used it for that year and then bought my DUI Clx 50-50. then I listed the suit on e-bay and got back $300. The guy I sold it to was doing the same thing, looking for a suit to last him while he saved for the suit he wanted.

Bare makes a good suit. however the zippers never lasted on my Bare wetsuits.

of the suits you listed the CD-4 would be my choice for the diving you want to do.

Under 700? I doubt it, but maybe you can find something on e-bay

Best of luck, Rick

 

[jonnythan]

I had a compressed neo suit for a handful of dives and hated it. It was hot, heavy, and bulky.

 

[jonnythan]

http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=ItemDisplay&ProductID=PCKDD1

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Tavi: thanks for the info. www.divetank.com has the 4mm for $699, the Nex-Gen for $599.

Thanks, jonnythan, I had wondered how bad heavy they were. Does it take a long time for the neo suits to dry out?

It seems to me that it would be logical to make a compressed neo suit with the neo sandwiched between waterproof layers, that way it would have inherent warmth but the neo wouldn't actually get wet.

 

[jonnythan]

The problem isn't the neoprene getting wet.. neoprene is waterproof rubber. It's the nylon covering of the neoprene that gets soaked and takes a long time to dry.. and if you were covering neoprene with waterproof layers, you wouldn't need the neoprene anymore, since it's the waterproof part. You would just get rid of it and have a shell suit. Neoprene isn't a good insulator for a drysuit since it's very buoyant for its warmth and the warmth decreases as you descend. Therefore, it makes more sense to have a shell suit and use a more efficient insulation.

 

[Tavi]

True, but the compressed neoprene will be much more durable than the shell. especially for wreck diving.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Oh. That makes sense. I had seen that Insta-Dry or whatever it's called somewhere, a neo wetsuit without the cloth cover, but I guess it didn't register as to what that meant.

Sounds like shell is still the winner...