Smit
Contributor
Hi all, I'm exploring the options available for a new exposure suit and would like to understand more about how a drysuit might fit my needs.
I'm a fairly warm guy I think. I have no problems doing multiple dive days in warm water to about 78 degrees with only a lycra dive skin. I've done several dive trips to the Florida keys in early spring and a 3mm wet suit was alright for 75 to 77 deg water. But on a trip to the Philippines last year, when we were doing 4 dives a day in water that was around 73 degrees I got seriously cold after a few dives and stayed that way until we moved to somewhere warmer. Since then I've been looking for a new wet suit, in particular a 5mm, to keep me comfortable and in the water on those trips. But honestly I don't like wearing that much neoprene. Very buoyant and also very confining, imo. Then on my last trip to Cozumel I went diving with a guy from Europe who was diving a dry suit, even though the water was pretty warm. That got me thinking of finding out more about maybe getting a drysuit so it would be more versatile for whatever cooler water diving I want to do in the future, from the Philippines to maybe places even chillier like Galapagos.
So a couple questions I'd like opinions on. Does a Trilam drysuit with light undergarments still require a lot of weight? Is the light weight drysuit more comfortable to wear than a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit? Those are my 2 biggest questions. But if there are other pros and cons of a drysuit I'd be happy for your ideas.
Thanks!
I'm a fairly warm guy I think. I have no problems doing multiple dive days in warm water to about 78 degrees with only a lycra dive skin. I've done several dive trips to the Florida keys in early spring and a 3mm wet suit was alright for 75 to 77 deg water. But on a trip to the Philippines last year, when we were doing 4 dives a day in water that was around 73 degrees I got seriously cold after a few dives and stayed that way until we moved to somewhere warmer. Since then I've been looking for a new wet suit, in particular a 5mm, to keep me comfortable and in the water on those trips. But honestly I don't like wearing that much neoprene. Very buoyant and also very confining, imo. Then on my last trip to Cozumel I went diving with a guy from Europe who was diving a dry suit, even though the water was pretty warm. That got me thinking of finding out more about maybe getting a drysuit so it would be more versatile for whatever cooler water diving I want to do in the future, from the Philippines to maybe places even chillier like Galapagos.
So a couple questions I'd like opinions on. Does a Trilam drysuit with light undergarments still require a lot of weight? Is the light weight drysuit more comfortable to wear than a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit? Those are my 2 biggest questions. But if there are other pros and cons of a drysuit I'd be happy for your ideas.
Thanks!
