Drysuit Suspenders necessary?

[Grey Goose]

Hi, Looking to pick up a Whites Fusion drysuit. Are the suspenders necessary (the model I am looking at is missing them)? What functions due they serve (keeping mid suit/crouch in place?) Apparently, they have a thermal formed back pad. Is that to cushion a tank? Interested in hearing from folks that have knowledge and /or have tried with/without suspenders.

Many thanks

 

[tomfcrist]

Suspenders are a must when you let the suit down to half mast between dives. It seems you are buying used?

 

[boulderjohn]

I agree with Tom. Walking around between dives is a royal pain without them.

 

[BabyDuck]

with larry's fusion, the suspenders keep it looking less like a toddler who needs a diaper change. those fusions are seat-baggy!

 

[eelnoraa]

Yes definitely yes. If you don't get it now, you will eventially add it.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Also helps with the p-valve & connections to not have the the suit tugging on the little guy.

 

[Grey Goose]

Great point about the sag between dives when suit open. Yes, a used suit. Apparently only a couple of dives on it, with owner gaining to his already large frame over winter making it too small. Checking price of suspenders with Whites and whether suspenders were an option as owner suggested.

 

[Dive-aholic]

They can even be necessary during the dive. I had a front zip suit in which I forgot to put the suspenders on once. Being a front zip the torso extended to allow for the neck seal to go over the head. Once in place you fold the suit over at the waist to take up the added length. There's a crotch strap that is supposed to keep it folded over but it only did so much. This particular dive was a scooter dive in a cave. About 4500' back in the cave my right foot popped out of the foot pocket. Of course this was a low area in the cave so I couldn't exactly contort my body correctly to get the pocket and fin back on. Fortunately I was on a scooter and didn't have to swim so I could scooter back to a larger area of the cave where I could get it back on without stirring silt up. I never forgot to put the suspenders on in that suit again.

Recently in my back zip suit I forgot to put the suspenders on but didn't even notice until I was taking the suit off. Being a back zip there is no extra material to get the neck seal over the head so the suit fit just fine without needing the suspenders. In that case the suspenders are there for surface intervals not diving.

 

[TSandM]

I have two Fusions, one with and one without. The only time the suspenders are an issue is when the suit with the tech skin is unzipped and off the shoulders. Then, without suspenders, the only way one can walk is by lifting one's "skirts".

 

[Sir-Dive-A-Lot]

They can even be necessary during the dive. I had a front zip suit in which I forgot to put the suspenders on once. Being a front zip the torso extended to allow for the neck seal to go over the head. Once in place you fold the suit over at the waist to take up the added length. There's a crotch strap that is supposed to keep it folded over but it only did so much.

Are you talking about the telescopic dry suit?
The suspenders keep the crotch of the drysuit up close to the croth of the diver, i.e. it's pulled up high. The drysuit crotch strap pulls the upper body part down so it folds over around the waist.