Drysuit Gator Ideas?

[coldsmoke]

I made a pair using some cordura like stuff I got from a local canvas shop. It was a "scrap" peice to them but it was like 30 feet long and about 16" wide. It cost $5. I bought it for some pockets that I made. I also used some velcro (also left over from the pockets) and some elastic that I got from Wal-Mart for about $3. Total for two pockets and the gaitors was less than $15 and the most expensive part is the velcro.

Basically the design is very simple. Cut and hem two pieces of material to how tall you want them and about as wide as you need to wrap your calves. Connect them by sewing the elastic (about 1.5" wide) on - I overlapped the elastic about a 1/2 inch. Then add the velcro to each end and your in business. If you are interested I can get some pics.

BTW - I agree with the others above who said that with a properly fitting suit and with min. gas, and more experience you won't need them. I made mine, and still use them because I am one of those tall skinny guys. I needed an XL for my height but more like a med for my width. Can't afford a custom and a used suit came along that I couldn't pass up. I have plans to send it off to have it altered this winter. Then I will have some non-logoed gaiters for sale!

Good luck

Hunter

 

[Camerone]

If you're really challenged at designing stuff from scratch, there's a fabulous company called "the Green Pepper" that makes sewing patterns. They even have gaiters, and the pattern is GP301 for just $2:

Boot Covers, Gaiters Sewing Pattern- Green Pepper F795 Multi-sized

I tend to use Seattle Fabrics as my supply house for appropriate material. They have cordura, nylon webbing, straps, buckles, gore-tex, and all kinds of other good stuff... They also carry the Green Pepper patterns (Welcome To Seattle Fabrics. We offer marine fabrics and outdoor fabrics such as Neoprene, lycra, sunbrella and more!) as well as some that make good drysuit booties (pattern GP302).

 

[undrwater]

Since this is DIY:

I'm having a similar problem. My DS does NOT fit me properly, and rather than buy a new one, I figured gaiters or something else would be the solution.

A bit of a description:
For the most part the suit fits me well, however there are about 2-3" of extra "play" in the legs. That translates into quite a bit of extra buoyancy towards the feet during an exhale and keeps me working at shallower depths.

There are 2 things I've considered:

1. Getting Gaiters
2. Resizing the leg

My DS has the attached boot, so resizing the leg might work...right? Is this pretty much the same process as replacing a seal? (BTW, the suit is a Compressed Neo if it matters)

Golem's got a pretty good deal on their gaiters, but "free" is even better for we non-private-industry types.

Thanks in advance!

Russell

 

[rfwoodvt]

As old as this thread is I just started the trail of DS diving. Like others I don't have a custom fit but I'm wider than tall so we gotta do what we gotta do.

Anyhow, was intrigued buy the DIY idea but came across these:


Any reason not to give these a try?

 

[undrwater]

As old as this thread is I just started the trail of DS diving. Like others I don't have a custom fit but I'm wider than tall so we gotta do what we gotta do.

Anyhow, was intrigued buy the DIY idea but came across these:


Any reason not to give these a try?

They're neoprene, so likely a bit positively buoyant.