DrySuits

[RJP]

I have 1000 dives on my two DUI suits over the past 10yrs. Say 650 on my TLS-350 and 300 on my 30/30.

Spend most of my time inside wrecks, and both suits have held up admirably. Only issues I've had were an errant screw on a dive deck once and a pin hole on a liveaboard. Both quickly patch with a drop of aquaseal.

Wouldn't trade either suit for anything.

 

[jboneng]

Ursuit HeavyLight Cordura is a very rugged drysuit, and I am very happy with mine.
For the question about Semi-Dry suits, it is very dependant on the water temperature and the lenght of the dives you are doing.
A 7mm two-part (gives extra insulation in the abdomen area) semi-dry is no problems here in the summer months when the shallow water temp peaks at 10°C - 14°C for recreational dives lasting 45-50 min (but most divers here prefer drysuits even then).

 

[dreamdive]

SANTI ELITE!

Peter and I both dive them in caves sometimes squeezing through tight restrictions and inside wrecks. The Santi Elite stands out to any suit we both have owned in the past to being super durable, puncture/rip resistant and keeping you dry! Yes, they cost more but at least in this case, you get what you pay for.

 

[tomfcrist]

Fusion bullet is a nice streamlined package that is generous to those who get fluffy over the winter and slim down in the summer. Definitely accommodates a variety of body shapes without changing sizes. It does not however accommodate broad shoulders well enough to not restrict access to your valves. Don't get me wrong, I can still get to my valves, but not nearly as easily as in other suits.

 

[Phil_C]

I have two Waterproof suits - a D1 and a D7, I would not hesitate to buy either again, I also have a Hollis DX300 which I really have little confidence in. It has leaked since day one, just a small weep on the bootie, but noticeable.

But as to what make is best, well it really is horses for courses, there is no one size fits all people and all purposes. Get one that fits well, is robust enough for the type of diving you are going to do, and is comfortable. I'm afraid I really couldn't care what name is on it when I am at 150' and the water is cold, it has a job to do, and the name or logo isn't going to keep me dry and warm. - Phil.

 

[eelnoraa]

I have had 4 suits. DUI CF200 -> TLS -> White Fusion Tech/Sport -> DUI 30/30.

- CF200 or any kind of neoprene suit for that matter, are very tough. If you rough on suit, I can't think of a more robust suit. My was from ~85, it was hold up very well. CF material is a little stretchy, so the cut is also quite streamline. The down side is weight and time to dry. Dry weight is quite heavy to begin with. Wetsuit is very heavy. It takes days to dry. It is makes a very poor travel suit.

- TLS is the exact opposite of CF. Very light weight, quick dry, exellent travel suit. Very flexible and comfortable, more so than CF. Also range of movement is better, but not as streamline. It isn't too tough. It has been OK for my usage.

- White Fusion. I had a very high expection for this suit. It is "supposed" to be very flexible due to the design. And "supposed" a good travel suit because it will fit with 400g undergarment or just a T-shirt. Both are NOT as advertized. In term of flexibility, I have to say it is not so flexible if you have thick undergarment. Yes you can do split in them, but reaching valve is easier with my previous DUI suits. This suit is quite flexible with thin undergarment. It is also very streamline. I can feel I can swim faster in this suit. And despite the good range of fit with undergarment, it is NOT a good travel suit. The Tech skin take long time to dry compare to TLS, almost as long as CF. The inner core material make wearing this suit with t-shirt uncomfortable. The core material very sticky to skin. Overall, I still think it is a good suit. It is growing on me.

- DUI 3030. I got this mainly because Fusion isn't a good travel suit. 3030 is a very nice warm water suit. It is light weight, quick dry. Ankle seals/wet boots combo work suprising well. The material is also breathable, I don't feel any uncomfort due to sweat when I was diving in Hawaii. I can't comment on the material toughness because I only have one trip with it. So far so good.

Overall, I think they are all good suits. Each as strength in difference places. I wouldn't hestate to buy any of them again if my usage calls for it.

 

[Michael Guerrero]

My viking is more than 10 years old, back zip, and keeps me dry.

 

[3D diver]

My first Viking lasted a month. My second lasted over 15 years. My third failed utterly in 2 & it took almost a year for them to do anything about it.

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

O' Three

 

[Rusty Roo]

I haven't done any tech diving in my 4 th element argonaut kevlar suit but the diving i have done. it's worked flawlessly. it is based on the urusuit kevlar which has been around for a while. i did read this review however
Fourth Element Drysuit - review by Tech Diver Ben Reymenants