Drysuits - Things to look for

[ding dang]

I'm going to buy a drysuit so I can dive longer. However, the suit I'm thinking about is 10 years old or so, because I gots no money. I'd like to splurge on a DUI, but it's not in the cards.

So, aside from seals and valves, what should I look for in an older drysuit that would perhaps inhibit its performance - like materials, etc.?

Thanks

 

[StreetDoctor]

The zipper is an expensive fix. IMO 10 years old is really pushing the life of a suit. It might be a little less of a headache to just save up some more money and buy something new(er). I hear a lot of good things about the pinnacle freedom 2 which I believe can be had for <$1000.

 

[fstbttms]

Assuming it has built-in boots, check the soles for wear. If you can, do a pressure test of the suit to check for leaks. Check the seals for cracks or tears. I use neoprene drysuits exclusively because they provide better insulation and that means fewer/lighter undergarments and I can easily repair it myself, not something most people can do with shell-type suits.

 

[SubMariner]

The zipper is an expensive fix. IMO 10 years old is really pushing the life of a suit. It might be a little less of a headache to just save up some more money and buy something new(er). I hear a lot of good things about the pinnacle freedom 2 which I believe can be had for <$1000.

I'm with SD; 10 years is really pushing it for a suit.

If you really have your heart set on a DUI (who wouldn't!) then used ones can be had online or from people in your area. Additionally, DUI has a section on their website where they are selling suits that are discontinued, came in for repair & weren't paid for once the repair was done, etc. So check that out.

Meanwhile, there are also some other good suits out there like Abyss, Brooks, Whites, that aren't as expensive as a DUI, but are still quite nice. Think about it.

Bonne chance,

 

[SteveAD]

One more vote for 10 years being extreme. Unless you're getting this suit for free, you're probably going to pay too much. Even if it is free, it may end up being too expensive. Save your pennies until you can do it right. As good as drysuits are, a wetsuit is better than a flooded drysuit.

 

[DCBC]

So, aside from seals and valves, what should I look for in an older drysuit that would perhaps inhibit its performance - like materials, etc.?

The first thing is to choose the type of dry suit that will suit your needs and the amount of insulation that will be required to provide you with enough warmth for the diving envelope you wish to dive in. This will dictate to some degree the materials available and the type of material required.

As you know, there are many good manufacturers to choose from. My first dry suit was a Poseidon Unisuit and for a neoprene suit have found them extremely durable. I've owned a number of DUIs but haven't gotten good wear out of them (I don't use them anymore). White's/Bare are hard to beat with a Lifetime Guarantee on seams and workmanship; so it's a no brainer if you plan on keeping the suit.

Viking heads my list of natural rubber/stretch polyester lined "lightweight" suits, they're easy to patch and just keep on ticking. I've used them in some of the worst diving conditions imaginable without incident. They do not stain and dry easily.

Although seals are easily replaced, I'd advise whatever you buy, make sure it is (or can be) equipped with cuff-rings that allow easy replacement of the wrist seals. I've ripped seals at a dive site and these can be easily replaced quickly on-site (saves the dive). I think it's a worthwhile investment at some point. A neck ring system is also available (for people that don't use a Helmet) and facilitates easy replacement of the neck seal.

If I was going to buy a 10 year old suit today, I'd pick-up a used Viking; preferably of a heavier weight material. I've seen these available fairly cheap; some requiring a new zipper and seals. Once repaired, you have a suit that should work like new. Check to make sure that the boots are in good condition. They seem to last like the Energizer Bunny.

 

[MarkH]

In the last 13 years or so of diving, I've had plenty of 10+ year-old suits. I usually pay $75-200 and dive them for about 2 years until they get too wrecked and then I find another one. They are usually neoprene so even if they leak abit, they're still much warmer than a wetsuit. Since I don't pay much for them, I feel free to enjoy my dives without "babying" an expensive suit. A few months ago I betrayed my morals and bought a new suit. So far I've had more problems with leaks, cold and durability with this suit than with most of my old ones. I think my next suit will be another old neoprene one. I check the boots for cracks (I prefer the older style boots that are neoprene with rubber soles. The newer "gumboot" style collects air and likes to crack on the top and they're almost impossible to repair). I also check the zipper for loose teeth and the zipper's sealing surface for worn-out areas. I'm not too concerned about minor holes or slight wear in the neoprene or the neoprene seals since they're easy to repair. Aquaseal is a cheap diver's best friend.

 

[hypertech]

I agree 10 yrs is probably pushing it but its hard to say without looking at it. By the time you replace the seals and zippers and fix any holes from fatigue, you'll be well on your way to paying for a newer suit without those problems.

No doubt DUI's are nice, but there are a lot of less expensive options out there that are also very nice. I bought a Bare Trilam for half the price of a DUI and I am extremely happy with it. It is a very high quality suit.

 

[Doc Harry]

I have a friend who is using an older dry suit that he got inexpensively from a friend.

It's been nothing but trouble. New leaks spring up every dive. Repairs.

The zipper blew out. Repairs.

The gaskets went bad. Repairs.

Etc., etc., etc.

He saved some money, or did he?

 

[fstbttms]

I have wasted more money on used drysuits bought on ebay than I care to admit. Most are short-lived or unusable right from the start. It more hassle than it's worth. As tempting as it is to save $1500, I always buy new now.