Drysuit weight and comfort

[Smit]

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!

 

[MB NZ]

I wear about the same amount of weight when swapping between a 7mm two piece wetsuit and a membrane drysuit with a light undersuit. As for comfort, both are fine. The drysuit is easier to put on and take off than my 7mm which is open cell. I'd much rather be in a drysuit if air temperature is low or doing multiple days diving in a temperate environment. Putting on a wet wetsuit is no fun when it's cold. Major downside to a drysuit is susceptibility to damage. You also need to think about urine management!

 

[happy-diver]

Well you look like a fairly warm guy Smit and proudly active by the sound of it

I would start now give yourself a couple of weeks to order as you learn more a Seaskin drysuit immediately

 

[inquis]

For me in 72°F, there's about 5 lb more lead needed for a trilaminate drysuit (4th Element Xerotherm layers) compared to a 5 mm wetsuit. However, for multiple days, I'd want a 7mm wetsuit to combat the cold accumulation (comparable weighting).

If it's hot topside, I'm pulling down the top of either suit, so little difference. If it's cold topside, drysuit is the win, but a boat coat will greatly help if wearing a wetsuit. Donning the drysuit is harder for me compared to dry closed-cell neoprene. I'd agree that putting on a cold/wet wetsuit sucks (and would probably not take it off in such conditions).

For single-tank diving, I'd go with the wetsuit. Cheaper, less maintenance, packs smaller, free to pee if needs be.