drysuits - opinions appreciated!
- Thread starter jason21
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It's all up to you and what you feel comfortable in and can afford.
Go try them out.
Gary D.
Go try them out.
Gary D.
PaulSmithTek
Contributor
I have dove three types of Dry suites. DUI, Apollo, and Whites. My options are as follows:
DUI - Great drysuit very durable, comfortable, but expensive.
Apollo - Always stay dry comforable.
Whites - I have dove 1400 hours in this suite and it has never leaked, torn a seal. I love this suit and would recommend it to anyone.
It is a matter of comfort durability and price.
DUI - Great drysuit very durable, comfortable, but expensive.
Apollo - Always stay dry comforable.
Whites - I have dove 1400 hours in this suite and it has never leaked, torn a seal. I love this suit and would recommend it to anyone.
It is a matter of comfort durability and price.
Was the whites the catalyst? I'm looking at this suit as well...
PaulSmithTek
Contributor
JMcD:
The first one I had is the Nexus Shell. I still dive it because it is awesome especially for commercial work. Really Durable. I now have the Catalyst, it also it a great suit, I have about 30 hours on the suit. Still has never let me down.
Check the exposure suit threads. Or do a keyword search. There is a ton of discussion on this topic.
I have had a Whites 6mm neoprene suit, a Whites Catalyst, and now I have a Bare Trilam HD. They are all great suits.
The trilams are light and dry quickly.
The neoprenes are more formfitting, hydrodynamic, and you can wear less insulation.
You really need to either try them both, or just pick one and go with it, and be happy.
I have had a Whites 6mm neoprene suit, a Whites Catalyst, and now I have a Bare Trilam HD. They are all great suits.
The trilams are light and dry quickly.
The neoprenes are more formfitting, hydrodynamic, and you can wear less insulation.
You really need to either try them both, or just pick one and go with it, and be happy.
adrenalineblues
Guest
I will agree with Paul. Though I just started diving dry I went with a Whites Nexus and can't be happier... Not to mention I got the suit, undergarment, boots, bag and class for less than 1000 bucks...
Jason, more to the point of what you're asking:
Neoprene: (assuming crushed neoprene)
+ Warm in colder water (sub 50 degrees)
+ Durable, especially shore entries
+ Stretch a little bit, hence very movable
- Heavy
- Stay wet longer
- More heat loss during SI's (see above)
- More lead
- Usually 15-20% more in price
Trilaminate (Shell):
+ Lightweight
+ dry quicker
+ Warmer in the wind during SI's
+ Less expensive
+ Less lead on the belt
- Less durable
- Needs thicker undergarments for equivalent warmth
The Whites catalyst is a great suit, I've found it to be the most flexible dry suit. However the fabric retains more water than the TLS350, so it's a bit heavier and colder during SI's.
All the best, James
Neoprene: (assuming crushed neoprene)
+ Warm in colder water (sub 50 degrees)
+ Durable, especially shore entries
+ Stretch a little bit, hence very movable
- Heavy
- Stay wet longer
- More heat loss during SI's (see above)
- More lead
- Usually 15-20% more in price
Trilaminate (Shell):
+ Lightweight
+ dry quicker
+ Warmer in the wind during SI's
+ Less expensive
+ Less lead on the belt
- Less durable
- Needs thicker undergarments for equivalent warmth
The Whites catalyst is a great suit, I've found it to be the most flexible dry suit. However the fabric retains more water than the TLS350, so it's a bit heavier and colder during SI's.
All the best, James
I really like my Bare Trilam HD, I have tried DUI suits and Whites suits, I went with the Bare because it was the most comfortable and the easiest for me to manage buoyancy in...your milage may vary.
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