First drysuit. Santi E.Lite + ??

[nicole2]

Hello,

I'm thinking about purchasing my first drysuit to dive with in California and hopefully in Iceland (if I ever go there). I've been searching online and it seems like Santi E.Lite + is the go-to for a durable, flexible, and reliable drysuit. Money isn't much of my problem and I certainly don't want to spend extra money on trying a cheaper one and save up again to get a more expensive one..
I read a lot of comments about DUI being overpriced..

What's your thoughts on this?

I'm 5'2'' and 140 lbs.

Also, is there any shops near Phoenix or even San Diego where I can try a drysuit for sizing?

thanks!

 

[ScubaSam]

Many of my buddies dive the Santi E.Lite suit and like them. I demo a Santi E.Lite during their Demo Day at Dutch Springs many years and like it so much that I wanted one.

I had just bought a Signature Series DUI TLS months before the demo and wished I had gone the Santi route. I liked how the seams were put together in the Santi, their suspenders, their flex sole (was more robust than the DUI turbo sole on my suit), and their generous thigh pockets.

I believe Hollywood Divers in LA maybe your closest Santi dealer in CA.

Good luck with whatever suit you eventually go with.

 

[ScubaSam]

I should add that around that same time period, I also demo a Whites Fusion, and Bares drysuit. I prefer the Santi to all of them. Again, just my experience from a few years ago.

 

[nicole2]

I should add that around that same time period, I also demo a Whites Fusion, and Bares drysuit. I prefer the Santi to all of them. Again, just my experience from a few years ago.

Thanks for the input!!

 

[taimen]

My buddy has an E.lite+ and it looks very good and fits him perfectly. He is very happy with it.
I have an emotion+ and the parts with emotion fabric are wearing very fast. My suit has been repaired twice under warranty already.

 

[Lorenzoid]

My buddy has an E.lite+ and it looks very good and fits him perfectly. He is very happy with it.
I have an emotion+ and the parts with emotion fabric are wearing very fast. My suit has been repaired twice under warranty already.

And I still have an original E.Motion—before the improved “+” version that addressed the premature wear problem of the original. I use mine lightly, and it’s still holding up. But if I get serious about cave, I might finally be forced to upgrade to the durable E.Lite (now E.Lite+, I suppose). I see many out there.

 

[nicole2]

And I still have an original E.Motion—before the improved “+” version that addressed the premature wear problem of the original. I use mine lightly, and it’s still holding up. But if I get serious about cave, I might finally be forced to upgrade to the durable E.Lite (now E.Lite+, I suppose). I see many out there.

My buddy has an E.lite+ and it looks very good and fits him perfectly. He is very happy with it.
I have an emotion+ and the parts with emotion fabric are wearing very fast. My suit has been repaired twice under warranty already.

Thanks! I guess I'll get SANTI E.Lite + then!